Thread: Communicating Effectively to Your Legislators

Hello everyone...I used to be a volunteer lobbyist for the NRA during the Clinton years and I'm gonna share this information with you guys so that you may make the most impact with your lawmakers. This is abstracted from our grassroots action manual (please forgive any typos and no there is no copyright for this manual) It's a little bit long, so you might want to print this out and keep it for reference:

Writing Effective Letters to Your Legislators

If you haven't communicated with an elected official before, and you want to get started, the simplest thing you can do is utilize the time-tested results-oriented method: Letter Writing. As a voting constituent, a letter is an easy way for you to let lawmakers know your views on specific issues, encourage them to vote your way, and let them know you'll watch how they vote on a particular issue and keep that vote in mind come Election Day!

Personally-written letters allow you an opportunity to present your position to your lawmakers without interruption. With that in mind, you'll want to keep the letter short and to the point, with just enough facts and figures to further enhance your statement. Never lie or make a statement you can't back up with evidence. Always let your lawmakers know how a specific issue will affect you personally, and make sure he understands that you live and vote in his district or state, and therefore what affects you may affect your fellow constituents as well.

If you own or operate a business, use your company letterhead. If you're a member of the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) or other civic group, don't hesitate to mention that. Here are three quick tips you'll want to refer to when drafting your letter:

• 1) How to Address Your Representative: Address your letters to "The Honorable __________," and begin the letter "Dear Senator" or "Dear Representative." If writing to a Committee Chairman or Speaker of the House, address them as "Mr. Chairman" or "Mr. Speaker."
  
  2) Be Brief & Specific & Always Be Courteous! Letters should never exceed one page, and the purpose of your letter should be stated clearly in the first paragraph. If your letters pertains to specific legislation, identify it accordingly. To make sure your letter is as productive as possible, always be courteous, even if you disagree with your representative's position! Never threaten, or use abusive language. This only hurts your cause.
  
  3) Ask Them to Write Back! Always ask for a response to your letter. You'll want a hard copy of your legislators' positions on these issues for future reference and to document their positions.

Faxing
Faxing has become increasingly popular as more and more Americans have gained access to fax machines. In fact, nearly all U.S. Senators and Representatives have have published fax numbers. What's more, faxing allows you to send a full, letter-length message to your representatives in a matter or minutes for just the cost of a phone call. When preparing your fax message to a lawmaker, follow the same basic guidelines used when mailing a letter via regular mail. You may also want to make sure your fax number is clearly visible, in case your legislator wishes to respond to you via fax.

E-Mail
Email lets you communicate with your representatives instantaneously. Again, follow the basic guidelines for a written letter when you send an email message.

Mailgram
Mailgrams are sent via Western Union or by private services and arrive at your legislators office in about one to three days via U.S. mail. Some private services will "hand deliver" your correspondance to his/her office. To send a mailgram, call your local Western Union office, and recite the message to the clerk. Your message will be printed and sent to your representative. You will be charged for the mailgram on your telephone bill or on your credit card, based upon the length of the message. To save time and money, compose your message before calling. "Hand delivery" service is fee based and can be found on the internet.

Placing Effective Telephone Calls
You will often find that as bills move through the legislative process, there simply isn't enough time to write your legislators, or schedule an appointment to visit them prior to a key vote. When you need to get in touch with your legislator immediately to let him know of your position on immigration issues, your telephone calls become the most effective means for you to communicate your views to your lawmakers. Below are several tips for you to refer to when placing your calls.

• 1) Identify yourself as a Constituent! As someone who lives and votes in the lawmaker's district or state, your phone calls carry the most weight. Calls to representatives outside your district or state are helpful as well, however, be sure to contatct your own legislators first.
  
  2) State Your Point Quickly and Clearly! Be sure to limit your telephone call to one subject. Be brief but specific- your phone call should last only a few minutes. Let them know why you're calling, giving a bill number if possible. REMEMBER: ALWAYS BE COURTEOUS! NEVER threaten or use abusive language. This only discredits you and hurts our mutual cause.
  
  3) Request That Your Legislator Follow Up Your Call With a Letter! Be sure to give your name and home address and request that your legislator follow up your phone call with a letter or personal note. You took the time to call, have your legislator take the time to respond. Get his position in writing on issues important to you!
  
  4) Do Not Identify Yourself Solely as a Minuteman Volunteer Unfortunately, many pro-immigration politicians are under the impression that Minuteman members only say what they have been told to say by the organization. If you identify yourself as a Minuteman volunteer as well as a voting constituent, community or business leader, PTA, VFW, American Legion member, or homemaker, lawmakers will find it harder to dismiss your call as "Minuteman propaganda".

Very helpful, thank you.

Thanks,

I saved it to my local folder where I keep important posts.

Thanks Pat and keep up the pressure!

Thank you, this is helpful as I have never been much of a political person before this immigration issue.