Establish early how long you have - Once you know how long you have, you can apportion the time fairly between group members, leaving plenty of time for listening to the legislator's ideas.

Localize your issue - Try to give the legislator personal stories about how this issue impacts you, your family and the community he/she is representing in Lansing.

Listen carefully - Listen to what the legislator has to say and be open to working within the parameters they are comfortable with.

Cancellations - Unfortunately, sometimes legislators need to cancel a meeting on very short notice. Don't be too disappointed or angry. A good meeting with a key staff person can establish a valuable relationship and move your issue forward.

Know what your want - Always have something specific in mind you are going to ask the legislator to do-maybe you need his or her help with a particular issue or vote.

Follow up - If you commit to do something, follow up. And if they follow through with a commitment, thank them for their efforts. If they fail to follow through, convey your disappointment so they know you are watching.

40 New State House members

Dist. 2 - Lamar Lemmons Jr. (D-Detroit)
Dist. 2 - Lamar Lemmons III (D-Detroit)
Dist. 8 - George Cushingberry (D-Detroit)
Dist. 10 - Gabe Leland (D-Detroit)
Dist. 14 - Ed Clemente (D-Lincoln Park)
Dist. 15 - Gino Polidori (D-Dearborn)
Dist. 17 - Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.)
Dist. 26 - Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak)
Dist. 30 - Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights)
Dist. 31 - Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens)
Dist. 39 - David Law (R-West Bloomfield)
Dist. 41 - Robert Gosselin (R-Troy)
Dist. 46 - James Marleau (R-Lake Orion)
Dist. 49 - Lee Gonzales (D-Flint)
Dist. 52 - Pam Byrnes (D-Chelsea)
Dist. 54 - Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Ypsilanti)
Dist. 55 - Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee)
Dist. 56 - Herb Kehrl (D-Monroe)
Dist. 57 - Dudley Spade (D-Tipton)
Dist. 64 - Rick Baxter (R-Hanover)
Dist. 65 - Leslie Mortimer (R-Jackson)
Dist. 71 - Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge)
Dist. 73 - Tom Pearce (R-Rockford)
Dist. 77 - Kevin Green (R-Wyoming)
Dist. 79 - John Proos (R-St. Joseph)
Dist. 80 - Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton)
Dist. 81 - Phillip Pavlov (R-St.Clair)
Dist. 83 - John Espinoza (D-Croswell)
Dist. 85 - Richard Ball (R-Laingsburg)
Dist. 86 - Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell)
Dist. 92 - Doug Bennett (D-Muskegon)
Dist. 94 - Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw)
Dist. 96 - Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City)
Dist. 97 - Tim Moore (R-Farwell)
Dist. 99 - Bill Caul (R-Mt. Pleasant)
Dist. 100 - Goeff Hansen (R-Hart)
Dist. 102 - Darwin Booher (R-Evart)
Dist. 103 - Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch)
Dist. 105 - Kevin Elsenheimer (R- Bellaire)
Dist. 107 - Gary McDowell (D-Kincheloe)