a guide to action being heard. 4 easy ways to get their attention contact your legislators

A GUIDE TO ACTION

BEING HEARD

4 EASY WAYS TO GET THEIR ATTENTION

Contact your legislators

1. Send a letter

They’ll read it, and you’ll probably hear back from them

If it’s urgent, fax it! It’ll avoid security delays

2. Send an email

Email is now the most popular (and easiest!) way to reach your legislator

3. Call them on the phone

Even if you can’t speak to a member of Congress, you can get your message passed on to them.

4. Talk face-to-face

Meet in Washington– Members make time for their constituents, and you can try an appointment

Meet in their district office– Meetings are sometime easier away from the Capitol

4 WAYS TO START A DIALOGUE

Express your opinion

------------start a dialogue-------------

1. Participate in local meetings

2. Participate in virtual forums

3. Respond to a survey

4. Get to know staff

COMPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE CONVERSATIONS

Help them listen

Your message should be…

Factual and researched

Clear and concise

Personal

Inclusive of other backgrounds

During your conversation, you should be…

Constructive

Informed about Congress

A listener

Courteous

Aware of rules of propriety

Open to compromise

Finally, remember…

Be patient

Be persistent

To enjoy yourself and your active role in our representative democracy!

DO: DON’T:

Schedule your appointment in advance

Be punctual Dress appropriately Prepare adequate materials

(handout and a brief leave-behind)

Stay focused on your issue Provide relevant and

specific examples Follow up after your

meeting

Show up or leave too late

Get off trackWear your work bootsBring everyone you

knowSulk if you only meet

with staffMix personal and

professional agendas

DOs and DON’Ts of citizen advocacy

5 TIPS FOR ENGAGEMENT

Develop a relationship

Get to know your legislators, and help them get to know you

1. Invite them to your conservation or farm meetings

2. Invite them to your annual banquets3. Take them on a conservation tour in their

district4. Make a speaking invitation5. 30/6 rule: Invest 30 minutes to contact your

elected official 6 times a year.

1 . KNOW YOUR ISSUE2. MAKE THE EFFORT

3. BE HEARD

To sum up:

THIS PRESENTATION HAS BEEN

PROVIDED BY

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

Acknowledgement