Legislative Breakfast Toolkit


Need help planning your Legislative Breakfast? Below is a Timeline and samples of fundraising letters, invitations and programs.

I. Timeline: Below is a suggested timeline for planning your breakfast

Aug.-Oct.  
  • Local committees form and meet initially.
  • Determine possible dates, typically Fridays, 8-9am, between the end of Jan. and early March. Snow dates may be hard to schedule.
  • Determine libraries to host breakfasts
  • Contact area legislators for availability
  • Inform MBLC and Legislative Committee of confirmed dates and locations

Nov.-Dec.
  • Meet with host libraries to discuss menu, set up, programs, reimbursement, etc.
  • Send out fund raising letters to Friends Groups/Trustees
  • Confirm speakers for programs, including MBLC
  • Prepare invitations and programs for printing. Include Library Legislative Day date on program.
  • Plan press releases and other PR

Dec.-Jan.
  • Send out invitations
  • Fundraising reminders


Jan.-March
  • Record RSVPS
  • Stay in contact with legislators and others who have agreed to speak
  • Send out PR
  • Prepare sign in sheets for attendees.  Prepare other handouts. MBLC will bring agenda copies and other materials.

Post Breakfast
  • Reimburse host libraries
  • Inform MBLC and Legislative Committee of attendance
  • Ask host library directors to send thank you notes to legislators
  • Send “thank yous” to host libraries
Footnotes:
  1. Breakfast planning committees in many areas are standing committees who begin the planning for next year soon after the latest breakfast.
  2. Breakfasts typically occur in the winter when the state budget is under discussion and in preparation for Library Legislative Day in March or early April.  Some regions have scheduled Fall breakfasts.  Fall timing is strategic since the state budget is actually in formation then. Recently MBLC has been holding Sept/Oct hearings during its budget preparation.
  3. Because legislators are typically in their districts on Fridays, the 8-9am hour that day has proven to be good timing.  Menus can be anything from continental breakfast to full sit down offerings, depending on host library and budget.
  4. After an election, mailing invitations may need to wait until after the Jan. inauguration.

Fundraising Letters: 





 
 
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