Pam Ashlund, author of Nonprofit Eye, writes that her first visit to a U.S. Congressman’s office last month to advocate on behalf of charities led to some uncomfortable lessons.

“I was very excited about educating our Congressman on the challenges nonprofits face. I didn’t know how naive I was until I sat in his office,” writes Ms. Ashlund, who lives in Los Angeles and doesn’t identify the nonprofit group she works for.

Instead of meeting the lawmaker, Ms. Ashlund met with one of his aides, who appeared interested solely in issues related to the boss’s district or ideas about specific legislation.

Ms. Ashlund’s “moral” from her visit: “Want change? Work with legislature to put it into a bill. If it becomes a law … then voila … you have legal validation of your work (and maybe funding as well).”

What do you think? Are there other tips charity leaders have to make a meeting with a member of Congress or state legislator productive? Share your thoughts by clicking on the comments link below.