Business community leaders understand that public policy decisions directly impact the cost of doing business. At the TwinWest Chamber, we strive to ensure that the laws passed spur growth for our member businesses.

We encourage you to get to know your elected and appointed officials who make public policy decisions impacting your community. In addition to providing you a comprehensive listing of regional elected officials, we are also providing some tips on how to get involved in the political process and correspond with specific elected officials.

How to get involved

• Join TwinWest’s Government Affairs Committee
• Attend a TwinWest Legislative Breakfast
• Join TwinWest Policy Pushers
• Visit elected officials in their offices
• Travel with TwinWest to the Minnesota Chamber’s “Business Day the Capitol”
• Make a Political Action Committee contribution or visit www.twinwestpac.com
• Contribute ot a candidate or pary organization
• Attend public meetings with your city council, school board, county board, Metropolitan Council or at the Capitol during the legislative session
• Write to public officials, or write letters to the editor to share your views or experiences

Corresponding with public officials

To capture the attention of a public official, it is best to write a concise, well-reasoned letter or e-mail. Or, schedule an appointment with him or her to discuss pertinent issues. If you choose to write a letter or send an e-mail to a public official, it is best to:

• Keep correspondences to less than one page
• Personalize your correspondence to the elected official
• Identify your issue at the start of the letter – discuss only one issue per letter or e-mail
• Concisely defend your argument
• Identify yourself, your experience or point of reference
• Request a reply, if you wish
• Include your work and home addresses
• Be polite and reasonable – consider that public officials have hectic schedules
• Thank them for their time