Hints for Calling your Legislator
Source: Adapted from AMI of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families
Phoning is the least effective way to get a message across to your legislators. Letters or face-to-face meetings have much more impact. You will almost never be able to reach your legislator directly, and may have to leave several messages even to get a response from a staff member.
There are only two situations in which calling is recommended:
- If there is no time for a letter: Often, you will only have one day's notice of a hearing or vote. In this case, you have to call.
- If you are organizing a large number of people and you know they can't or won't write.
- DO call your legislator's office directly. If you can't afford to
make a direct long-distance call to your legislator, you can use the
State Legislative Hotline's 800 number. But if you use the Hotline,
you can't be sure your message gets through in time (and at the end
of a hectic session, minutes can count!). Also, the Hotline cannot answer
your questions or ask you to clarify your message. If you call the Congressional
switchboard, they will transfer your call, but this takes more time
(and money) than dialing direct.
- DO give your name and address, especially if you are a constituent.
- Have your information organized. Write out the two or three key points
you want to make in the conversation before you call, and be prepared
to keep it brief.
- Practice what you are going to say.
- If you cannot reach your legislator, ask to speak to the aide who
is responsible for your issue. Remember not to be disappointed to speak
with an aide. S/He may know more about your issue than your legislator
and will present your ideas to him/her.
- While you should have some familiarity with the issue you are discussing,
you do not need to know everything about it to make your point.
- Clearly state whether you are requesting support or opposition to
a specific bill.
- Thank them for their time.
- If you have time, after the phone call, follow up with a letter restating you points and thanking the person for their time.
