Building Relationships in Lansing

For members of the St. Clair County Right to Life affiliate, spending a day at the capitol each year has become routine. And, for three Michigan house members and a state senator, they are a welcome sight.

More than ten years ago, Roger Thomas, president of the St. Clair County affiliate, chose to have one of their bi-monthly newsletters devoted to their area legislators. They wanted to introduce their legislators to their readers and better inform their members of prolife legislation in the works.

Initially, Thomas drove to Lansing and met with the legislators before office hours for an informal interview. But, over the years, those interviews quickly developed into a half hour of scheduled work time for each senator and house member.

"Now when we contact them for an interview time, they tell their staff to clear as much of their schedule as we want," Thomas said.

According to Thomas, that initial interview was a huge hit. The readers appreciated hearing directly from their legislators, and the legislators valued that their comments were being read by a loyal and motivated constituent base. The interview was recorded and published in their very first Focus on Legislators issue.

After two years of doing the interviews himself, Thomas realized there were several talented young individuals who would jump at the chance to visit Lansing with him. He was right. And eventually, the "Lansing Day" as it would come to be called, turned into an all-day learning experience for the prolife teens in St. Clair County and a unique opportunity to connect young people with the legislative process. Thomas goes on to describe the many benefits.

"The teens appreciate the chance to tour Lansing and the legislators always enjoy talking with young people. Our affiliate enables prolife young people to become familiar with the operations of state government and the RLM lobbying efforts, and our chapter prominence and stature improves. It’s a real win-win situation for all parties involved," Thomas said.

And now, the scheduled "Lansing Day" works like clockwork. The St. Clair County affiliate schedules plenty of time with each senator and representative, even meeting with those that are pro-abortion.

"We make sure we aren’t confrontational, though," explained Thomas, "the idea is to foster communication, not create animosity."

About a week before they arrive, Thomas calls to confirm their scheduled time and to send a list of interview questions in advance. They also make sure the legislators’ staffs are aware of who will be coming and who will be doing the interviews.

"Courtesy to the staff is vital," added Thomas. "And, we make sure we are on time, stick to the questions and listen carefully."

They also make sure to schedule their meetings in the spring, far removed from election season so the conversation steers clear of election discussions.

And at the end of the day, Thomas always stops by the Right to Life of Michigan Legislative office so the young people can get briefed by that staff on the status of pending legislation.

"The entire day affords a great opportunity to educate prolife young people on how bills make it through the Legislature, what a veto is and how it is handled and the importance of judiciary understanding and action. In short, it is a golden opportunity to turn these teens into well-informed prolife activists," concluded Thomas.

For more information about St. Clair County’s Lansing youth day, or help starting your own Focus on Legislators newsletter issue, contact Roger Thomas at 810-982-2886.

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