Meet Sarah. She’s an Invisible Children supporter who recently sat down at her first lobby meeting to discuss the LRA with her local representative. It takes young leaders like Sarah to mobilize and speak with local leaders about the issue to ensure that our politicians follow through and take action against the LRA.
Here is what Sarah had to say about her first lobby experience…
“The idea of a lobby meeting really intimidated me, and at first I was not ready to take on this task or even consider it. After talking to IC: Citizen’s Michael Arredondo, I felt empowered to take on this new challenge. Lobbying seemed to be something that was done by more professional people and over topics of politics and related things that I myself didn’t feel very knowledgeable or comfortable with. When I looked over the packet and realized I pretty much knew everything that I was going to be talking about at the lobby meeting, I felt a lot better. When it was time to actually meet with the members in my rep’s office, I was so nervous! The people there were very kind and friendly and very eager to hear what I had to say. The entire conversation flowed naturally, and everyone seemed interested in what I had to say. I felt so proud of myself, and extremely glad that IC reached out to me to help them.
This lobby meeting was extremely empowering! Meeting with people that hold so much more power than I do is intimidating, but I did it. After this meeting I felt a lot more confident in myself and in my thoughts and actions towards things, such as the mission on Invisible Children to stop the LRA. It’s great knowing that people higher up in the system care about issues that I do, and it makes me want to do more!
At the lobby meeting, two of the members of my club Students for Global Change also came along with me. Even though they did not speak, they were extremely glad they were able to attend a meeting and see what really goes on there. They were inspired to do more and speak out more to people, especially because they didn’t know they could have a meeting like that. I as well was unaware you could set up a meeting that easily, so I was definitely inspired to do more and speak out more for things I believe in. It inspired me to reach out to others too.
I think the most appealing part of lobbying was being able to see these people that work for my rep, Dan Maffei, care about the issues I came to talk about. Knowing that what I said meant something, especially to people of a higher position, was a huge confidence booster and push to keeping fighting for the things I believe in.
I feel that everybody can make a difference, and that sometimes all you need is that one conversation to really make some change. I think that each person that lobbied had the potential, and did, to help make an impact on this conflict. I represented an entire district with my opinions, and if I had not done this then there most likely would not have been one for the entire area here. I think not only I, but each of us IC: Citizen lobby leaders made a big statement about how we feel and what should be done.”
-Sarah Hahn
We are thrilled that Sarah shared her first-time lobby experience with us and hope it inspires you as much as it did us. Like Sarah said, everybody can make a difference. Don’t hesitate to call up your local leaders and make sure they’re informed on the issue and know that you care. Never forget that leaders in Congress represent you, so your voice matters.
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