Emailing Policy Makers
- Less Personal, Low Time Requirement
Email is probably the least time-consuming method when delivering your advocacy message, but it is also the least personal and, therefore, a less effective way to connect with your public officials. If you use email as a way of communicating with policy makers, it should be done in the context of an ongoing relationship where you have utilized other ways of communicating with the official.
Before writing the email
• Develop a clear and concise message. Also, the more you can include personal stories or local context to the issue, the more the policy maker will pay attention to your email.
As you write
• State in the subject line of the message that you are a constituent. An elected official’s inbox can become very full and using the subject line will increase the likelihood that your message will be read.
• Keep your message brief and to the point. Email is less formal than a written letter and so the message should reflect the informality.
• Make the message personal and utilize local examples.
Follow up
• Recruit others to send an email as well. The more people policy makers hear from on a
particular issue, the more attention they will give to the issue.
• If you are writing your email as part of a grassroots advocacy effort, be sure to report your message to the organizers of the effort.
• Continue to communicate with your elected official through letters, calls and visits. Many times it is the quantity of the advocacy effort that will influence the policy maker.
Calling Policy Makers
- Moderately Personal, Low Time Requirement
Phone calls are usually best utilized when you want to let policy makers know whether you support a piece of legislation or to have a one-on-one conversation. It also allows you to connect more with the office staff, who are key allies when working with elected officials.
Before the call
• Plan out what you are going to say before you make your call. Keep your message brief and clear. It may be helpful to write down what you are going to say so that you can be confident in your delivery.
• Think about and include a key point or personal story that relates to the issue and your position.
When you call
• If you would like to speak directly with the legislator, call while s/he is in your home
community. It is often easier to get her or his attention without the distractions at the capitol and your position as a constituent is emphasized.
• If you are nervous or would prefer to simply leave a message, call the legislator’s office staff. Be polite because office staff can have influence in conveying your position.
• In your phone call, be sure to state that you are a constituent. Policy makers are much more likely to be responsive to the people who are responsible for keeping them in office. Also, mention if you voted for them.
• Follow your plan and get to the point. If you’re leaving a message, be sure to keep it brief. If you’re talking directly with a policy maker, try to find out his or her position on the issue and try to persuade her or him based on your talking points.
• Be sure to thank the policy maker if she or he agrees to support your issue. Of course, thank the official or office staff for their time.
Follow up
• Recruit others to make a call as well. The more people policy makers hear from on a particular issue, the more attention they will give to the issue.
• If you are making your call as part of a grassroots advocacy effort, be sure to report your call to the organizers of the effort.
• Call multiple times and continue to communicate with your elected official through letters, more calls and visits. Many times it is the quantity of the advocacy effort that will influence the policy maker.
