Tips for Preparing for a Legislative Visit or Legislative Phone Call
Legislative visits and phone calls are two of the most effective forms of legislative communications. Remember that your legislator wants to represent the needs of his or her district. By conveying your interests to your legislator, he or she has a better understanding of how to serve the needs of their constituency. The following tips can help make one-on-one communication efficient and effective.
Phone Calls
1. Identify Your Self:
When you contact the office, be sure to tell the person answering the phone that you are a constituent. Legislative offices get hundreds of phone calls a day. As a constituent, you should receive priority attention.
2. Make Contact With the Right Person:
Remember that telephone calls are often taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue to which you wish to comment.
3. Leave A Message:
After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief messages, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose(S.B. _____/H.B. _____)
4. Be Concise:
You will also want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your Senator's or Representative's position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.
Visiting Your Legislator
1. Plan your visit carefully:
Be clear about what it is you want to achieve; determine in advance which member or committee staff you need to meet with to achieve your purpose.
2. Make an appointment:
When attempting to meet with a member, contact the Appointment Secretary/Scheduler. Explain your purpose and whom you represent. It is easier for staff to arrange a meeting if they know what you wish to discuss and your relationship to the area or interests represented by the member.
3. Be prompt and patient:
When it is time to meet with a member, be punctual and be patient. It is not uncommon for a Legislator to be late, or to have a meeting interrupted, due to the member's crowded schedule. If interruptions do occur, be flexible. When the opportunity presents itself, continue your meeting with a member's staff.
4. Be prepared:
Whenever possible, bring to the meeting information and materials supporting your position. Members are required to take positions on many different issues. In some instances, a member may lack important details about the pros and cons of a particular matter. It is therefore helpful to share with the member information and examples that demonstrate clearly the impact or benefits associated with a particular issue or piece of legislation.
5. Make the Connection:
Legislators want to represent the best interests of their district or state. Wherever possible, demonstrate the connection between what you are requesting and the interests of the member's constituency. If possible, describe for the member how you or your group can be of assistance to him/her.
6. Ask for a commitment:
If you are meeting about a specific piece of legislation, be sure the legislator is aware of it. Make a point of asking the legislator to support the bill or oppose it. If possible ask them to make a commitment to that position.
7. Be responsive:
Be prepared to answer questions or provide additional information, in the event the member expresses interest or asks questions.
8. Follow-up:
Follow up the meeting with a thank you letter that outlines the different points covered during the meeting, and send along any additional information and materials requested.
Contact your legislator about an issue
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