HELPFUL HINTS FOR GRASSROOTS LOBBYING LETTER WRITING Legislators want to know what their constituents think about proposals, pending bills and needs or problems in their communities. In writing, letters are better than postcards, but postcards are better than nothing. 1. Address of your Legislator: Include full name and official title. 2. Include in your letter the following: 1) Subject and/or bill number; 2) Your reason for writing (your personal experience is best); 3) Encourage approval or disapproval of the bill; 4) Ask for reply and their position; 5) Express your appreciation "Thank You"; 6) Sign your name in your own handwriting. 3. Always include your full name and address on all correspondence. WHO IS YOUR LEGISLATOR? To find out who your Senator and Representative is, call your local Election Commissioner. If your area does not have an Election Commissioner you can contact your County Clerk. RULES FOR CONVERSATIONS WITH A LEGISLATOR 1. Know your Legislator. Take time to find out your Legislator's interests; what committee assignments, etc. 2. Listen to your legislator. Legislators need to be able to discuss their concerns and it helps to allow your legislator to express views on matters that you may have little or no interest in. 3. Make your request or concern clear. Legislators hear many points of view; make sure your concern is to the point and that there is no mistake about where you stand. 4. Allow for Disagreement, avoid making your legislator wrong. Your legislator may have a very different perspective. Often your views will be heard if you have listened to your legislator's notions. 5. Ask your legislator for suggestions. "In view of my concern, how can I be most helpful to you?" or "how can the (blank) organization be most effective in supporting our position?" 6. Offer to help. Legislators are extremely busy. Your continued comments on legislative proposals in your area of expertise can be valuable. Ask your legislator how you can help. Offer to assist with information in those matters within your area of expertise. 7. Be courteous. Although your legislator may not agree with you about your views and may seem impatient, avoid rudeness. You have much to win in the long run by remaining friendly and open. 8. Stay in contact. Call or write. Invite an upgrade on matters of concern to you. Compliment your Legislator when you learn of a vote or action you agree with. Legislators get lots of criticisms, many requests and few compliments except from their personal friends. 9. Make appointments with your legislators. Call to confirm your appointment; elected officials are very busy people. If your appointment must be cancelled, secure a committment to reschedule as soon as possible. 10. Do your homework; If a question comes up that you can't answer, tell him/her so and promise to provide the information later. Be sure to follow through--it will provide a good opporitunity for later contact. Prepare a brief, one page fact sheet on the subject. 11. When possible, have several of the legislator's constituents accompany you. 12.Never keep a legislator waiting. 13. Get right to the point. 14. Ask your legislator for and make sure you get a specific committment to a specific course of action. 15. Keep a focus; do not address more than one issue -- stick to the point. 16. Don't take rejection personally--don't hold a grudge. This legislator may not agree with you at this time, but may be supportive on another issue at a later date. 17. Never break a promise to a politician -- keep off-the-record comments confidential. 18. Be cordial; never scold or preach. Be tolerant of the legislator's point of view. 19. Always thank the legislator for his/her time and consideration. WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME 1. Have home letter writing parties. It is good to have them every week at the same time -- same house. Target first your own legislators and then surrounding districts. When writing always address your legislator as Honorable. Example: Hon. John Smith. 2. Encourage development of local coalitions to support your goals. 3. Start gathering names for a phone-tree. During session we may not have time to write. We may need to generate call from all over the state on short notice.