How To "Take Action"

The DAWN team has introduced a new tool for advocates to use. It is a new way to be in touch with your representatives. It was developed from the people at CapWiz.

From the DAWN Home Page

On DAWN home page; look for the red “Take Action” box. Follow any of the “Take Action” links on pending bills.

From the State Disability Issues Page

If you go to any of the State Disability Issues pages, such as Heath Care, you will find a list of current bills which could affect that issue. Next to some of the bills is “Take Action”—follow the link to “Take Action” on that specific bill.

Details

From here you will be able to send an email and sometimes place a phone call on a particular bill. “Take Action” emails might be sent to legislative members of a specific committee or directly to your legislators. DAWN will figure out who best should receive your email. The phone call method will give you the numbers of your representatives so you can make the phone call.

When using the email method, some information will be included in every email. This is usually at the beginning and end of the email message. For some “Take Action” messages DAWN will create talking points. You can use these talking points or you can create your own. You can add one of the talking points by clicking on the “Red Arrow” for each talking point that matters to you. When you click on an arrow, it will go into your email message (You only have to click an arrow just once). You can also add your own information by entering it directly into the email. The same talking points are given for the call method. You can choose which ones to use in your call.

Once you enter your personal information (ex. name, address, etc.), CapWiz figures out whom your representatives are or committee members and sends the email to them. If you use the phone call method, CapWiz will give you the contact information so you can place your call.

We hope this new tool will be an easy way for you to tell your representatives what you think about some bills pending in the legislature.

Video

DAWN has developed a short video to show you how to use this new tool. The video offers instructions on using the new tool and is available in both Flash and QuickTime formats.