Members Only Log-In Search Members                                      Non-Member Event Registration Next Chamber Event:   SEE YOU THERE! View our event calendar Post your event Click for more information MaineFlu.gov business resources for avian, pandemic, and seasonal influenza information in Maine webmaster Privacy Policy Published in the March 8, 2007, edition Back to Table of Contents Tips for Testifying Testifying before a committee is a very effective way to convey a message about a specific legislative matter. It is an opportunity to influence public policy and make your views part of the public record. Below are some important guidelines to follow when presenting your views on a bill before your lawmakers.  Additional Information Things to remember: Always bring 20 copies of your testimony with you and hand them to the clerk who will distribute the copies to all the committee members. Get to the hearing early. Be patient if delayed. Deliver your testimony; don’t just read from the text. Keep your comments short and concise (3 minutes maximum) and try not to ramble. Be pleasant, interesting, and energetic.  Include visual aids such as charts and graphs to emphasize your position. Consider this opportunity a privilege, not a chore. Practice breathing and relaxing. Don’t be intimidated. It is acceptable to disagree, but do not get cornered into an argument with the committee or the opposition. Avoid being confrontational or using foul language. If you don’t know the answer to a follow-up question, “I don’t know” is an appropriate answer, rather than risking your credibility or getting maneuvered into saying something contradictory. Congratulate yourself on a job well done. Writing your testimony: Identify yourself (name, title, company) and the number of people you specifically represent, their general interests, and their contributions to the economy. Simply state your position on the issue, and then summarize the main reasons for your position. Give specific examples about the proposal’s impact on your business. Try to say something positive in your BRIEF remarks. For example, talk about ways you have communicated with your employees on safety issues or talk about reforms that enabled you to grow your business – either through investing in capital equipment and/or hiring additional employees. Conclude by summarizing the importance of the issue to your company.  Thank the committee for the opportunity to testify and for considering the issue and your position in its deliberations. Simply end your remarks by saying, “Thank you for your time. I’d be happy to answer any questions.”  If there is a question, you cannot answer during the hearing, offer to find out and follow up with your lawmaker promptly.  After the hearing, be sure to write a letter of thanks to all the committee members present. Summarize your main points, ask for support of your position, and offer to answer any questions. Also provide any additional information requested at the hearing. The Joint Standing Committees are listed on the Maine State Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.mainechamber.org. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce’s Advocacy staff is here to work with you to coordinate and formulate testimony. If you would like to get involved in making the voice of business heard at the Statehouse, we want to hear from you. You can let us know if you are available to testify on a specific issue or if you would be willing to come to the Statehouse and show your support by attending a public hearing. Both methods are very important to our legislative success. Email grassroots@mainechamber.org and sign up to testify today.