Tips for Effective Contact with Decision-Makers
Personal contact with your legislator is the only way to develop a relationship with them and work to influence the stands they take on issues that matter to you. And regardless of the type of contact-face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, letters, faxes, or emails-the following elements should be included in any interaction you have with your elected officials:1. Plan. Before you make the connection, plan what you're going to say. Keep your message simple and to-the-point. Have a simple, clear-cut understanding of what you're asking the decision-maker to do, i.e., vote for a specific bill.
2. You are a constituent. Begin by stating that you are a constituent. Legislators are most responsive to the people who can keep them in office (or vote them out)- their constituents.
3. Know your message. After identifying (and possibly writing down) what you want the decision-maker to do, think about a key point or personal story that supports your position.
4. Know your audience. If you don't know very much about your legislator, do a little research about him/her. Be sure to find out where s/he stands on the issue you're focusing on.
5. Personalize your comments. Make every effort to connect the issue you're raising with the state or district your legislator represents. Use local examples that illustrate why your issue is important and why your position makes sense.
6. Ask for a specific commitment. The best way to encourage your legislators to take specific action is to ask them directly. If they decline, encourage them to think about the issue, and let them know that you'll be in touch again.
7. Communicate more than once. Quantity is as, if not more, important than quality in grassroots advocacy. One letter will not have much influence on a decision-maker. As you continue to monitor your issue, find various ways to communicate with your legislator and ask for specific support or action as appropriate within the ongoing political process.
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