Making Contact with Your Legislator: Things to Keep in Mind

Source: Wisconsin Council on Children and Families

• Legislators want and need to hear from you about important issues.
  
  
• A face-to-face contact has more impact than a letter. A meeting makes it easier for people to begin developing a relationship. You do not need to come to Madison. Many legislators hold "office hours" in their home district. Or you can call and make an appointment to meet locally.
  
  
• A personal letter has more impact than a phone call. Stay away from form letters and petitions. They have the least impact.
  
  
• A big advantage of letters over phone calls or visits is that you can take time to think over what you want to say and how to say it.
  
  
• An advantage of meetings and phone calls is that if the legislator or aide doesn't understand something you've said, you can explain it immediately.
  
  
• Whether you meet in person, write or call, keep it brief. Legislators' offices are flooded with mail, FAXes, phone messages and visitors. If you can make your point quickly, clearly and simply, it will be absorbed and remembered.
  
  
• Use personal examples to make your point. These are much more memorable than statistics. Remember that you do not have to be an expert on an issue to contact your legislator.
  
  
• Focus on only one or two issues at a time. Each legislator needs to know a little about hundreds of issues each session.
  
  
• Timing is important: If your contact is made too early in the process, it may be forgotten. Follow the progress of the bill and make contact with the right people at the right time.
  
  
• Be informed and up-to-date. Know the status of the bill. If possible, have a few statistics, examples or fact sheets available.