Schedule Facility Visits with Your Legislators

VHCA (5/29/2009)

2009 is an election year for Virginia’s House of Delegates and the state wide offices of Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General.  These key elections makes this summer an excellent time to invite candidates and your legislators to visit your facility. 

Facility Events
Any event you may be having in the facility offers a great opportunity for a legislative visit – ribbon cuttings, award programs, special holiday functions, family council meetings, and staff meetings.  At the event, if it is appropriate, give the legislator an opportunity to speak to the group.

Often legislators include pictures in their brochures of themselves with members of the community.  Ask if the legislator would like to have his or her picture taken with residents and staff (get permission from the residents and staff before taking their picture of course).  Write up the visit for your facility publication and include pictures of the legislator.  Send the legislator a copy.

Legislative Tours of Facility
Even if you have no event coming up, invite legislators to tour your facility.  Pick a time that works best for your facility operations.  A late morning tour followed by lunch works well, as does something done in mid to late afternoon with light refreshments afterward.  Include some staff and residents.

During the visit, highlight the fact that your facility is a key employer in the legislator’s district.  Provide basic information about the facility and services provided to your residents.  Use VHCA’s Virginia Long Term Care Briefing Notes to prepare for your discussion with legislators.  Write a thank you note to the legislator after the visit and offer to be an information resource for the legislator on long term care issues. 

Campaign Contributions
In election years, legislators look to their constituents for help.  There are many ways to help in a campaign.  Volunteering to work in the campaign office, helping with door-to-door activities, assisting with signs, etc. are all appreciated by candidates.

Money, of course, is the life blood of political campaigns.  The VHCA PAC contributes to candidates.  Make a personal contribution yourself and ask your company to make a corporate contribution to your legislator’s campaign. 

VHCA staff will be glad to assist you in scheduling candidates and legislators to visit your facility.  If you make your own arrangements for a visit please let us know when the visit will take place.