Get Involved > Making Contact

Making Contact

Following are specific tips for the most common approaches to making contact with your legislator- writing, calling or meeting with your legislator.

Dear Mr. Congressman:

How to Write an Effective Letter to Your Elected Official

We are all, just a little bit, “arm-chair politicians” – a visionary persona that we assume as we propose what we deem as better solutions for local, state, and national issues than our elected officials.  It is an identity many of us adopt for a split second after a news report or article when we sigh in frustration and mutter, “I’m going to write my congressman about this!”

But, mustering up the courage to actually write your elected official is quite a feat. It is a step that demonstrates your civic engagement in your community, and is a vital part of the American government system. Our officials exist because they are chosen to represent their communities, and hearing voices and views from the community about issues is important for all elected officials.

As you put pen to paper, keep these tips in mind:

• Write your letter to the right person. We are fortunate to have several levels of government and multiple representatives at each level and for various issues. Getting your letter on the right desk is half the battle of writing an effective letter. Take some time to research which of your officials is focusing on the issue you are addressing. For example, when writing a letter about the election system, your letter should be directed to the Secretary of State. Be sure to write to your elected official that represents your district or state.
• Start local, go global. Starting with your local elected officials is sometimes the best way to elevate your concerns to the next level of government. And, one step at a time. Directing your letter to one or two elected officials is more effective than mass-mailing the entire House of Representatives.
• Identify yourself, your credentials, and your connection to the issue you are addressing. Make it a point to state that you appreciate the elected official’s time to read your letter and represent the issue you are addressing. Your letter is your voice to your elected official. Elected officials and their staff really read letters, so be authentic and write what you really want to say.
• Be concise. Keep your letter to one page, and address specifically your concerns. If you are writing in regards to a specific bill or piece of legislation, state the bill number in your first few sentences. Be sure to recommend a course of action. Help yourself avoid verbosity by keeping your passions about the issue at bay.
• Dust off your pad of paper, and make sure there is ink in your pen. A written letter, not an email, will ensure that the letter makes it to the official and is not filtered out as email spam. Use email only if you use the email portals that are often available on the official’s website.
• Letters can be positive! Elected officials should also know that they are doing right, too.

With election season already in full-swing, now is a good time to stretch your legs as a citizen and get civically active in your community. Visit official’s websites, and read the newspaper. Inform yourself about issues from various points-of-view. Take the plunge, write a letter, and get involved with government.

Get their address at "Write your Representative"  http://www.house.gov/writerep/

View our samlple letter.

Meeting with Your Legislator

1. Schedule an appointment. Call his/her office and identify yourself as a constituent,  parent, etc. Request a 10-15 minute appointment. Legislators will have offices in the state or national capitol, but will also have home offices located in their district. You can request a meeting at their home office for times when the legislature in not in session. The district offices are often much less hectic.
2. Be on time and keep the visit within the allotted time. Be patient if they are interrupted; legislators schedules change constantly.
3. Value legislative staff. Never turn down an opportunity to meet with a staffer. Legislators have to be knowledgeable on so many issues. It is the staff that often has more time to devote to your issue, and they have considerable influence with the legislator. This is particularly true when contacting a member of Congress.
4. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. Before the meeting, find out more about your legislator; define your goal for the meeting; develop a clear message.
5. Prepare materials. Bring a one-page written statement that explains your issue/position, why it is important, and what action you want them to take.
6. Practice a 3 minute statement. Practice stating your "clear, concise and convincing" message. Personalize the message and link it to their community, if possible. You will have more time to talk, but you need to start AND finish the discussion with your core message.
7. Make a specific request. Legislators will want to know exactly what you want them to do. Don't be afraid to take a stand and ask for their support.
8. Listen! If you listen attentively to their concerns, questions and opinions, you can find ways to connect to their issues. They are most likely balancing the input of many constituents. They may not always be able to support your position. Understand and respect that, but knowing their position better will help you understand the opposition.
9. Follow up. Immediately following the meeting, note the legislators response; their position on your issue at hand; and their primary concerns. If any additional follow-up is needed, make sure it happens. Always send a thank you letter, regardless of how well the meeting went.