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Be personal- Tell how your concerns about a piece of legislation relate to your personal situation, your neighbors, people you know.

Do your homework- Know what is in the legislation you are talking about. Plan the points you want to make and know the arguments that will probably be brought up opposing your view.

Be positive- Threatening or being argumentative rarely works.

Be persistent!

Overall it's best to meet a legislator in your local community when the General Assembly is not in session.

Visits to public officials:

• Make an appointment.
• Go in teams.
• Mention any organizational affiliation.
• Be on time.
• Begin with a warm introduction.
• Be brief and concise.
• Get a commitment. The goal is to enlist the legislator's support, so be specific. Ask direct questions and try to get a direct answer.
• Leave written materials.
• Offer to get more information.
• Leave on a positive note.

Telephone calls to public officials:

• Give your name and address.
• Mention any organizational affiliation.
• Be brief.
• Focus on one issue.
• Indicate your position.
• Use the bill number, if known.
• Ask for your message to be repeated.
• Thank the secretary or aide.

Personal letters to public officials:

• Mention any organizational affiliation.
• Focus on one issue.
• Use the bill number, if known.
• Be personal.
• Do not use a form letter, adapt it.
• Be positive and constructive.
• Describe any relevant experience you have.
• Ask questions that require a response.
• Enclose informational materials, if any.
• Write a thank you if your legislator votes with you.

Before the General Assembly:

• Pass out fact sheets on issues to local groups.
• Write a letter to the editor on the issue.
• Visit legislators in your home district.
• Organize a telephone tree for use during the legislative session.
• Organize an educational session on the issue in your local organization.
• Get mailing lists of organizations that send out legislative alerts.

During the General Assembly:

• Identify committees and subcommittees for your priorities.
• Visit or write your legislators and committee and subcommittee members.
• The fast pace often makes telephone calls necessary. Use the 800 number listed below.
• Attend committee hearings.
• When legislation comes to the floor for a vote, contact your legislator.
• Activate a telephone tree alert or e-mail alert.
• Organize a letter writing campaign.

After the General Assembly:

• Share the results with your friends.
• Write letters of gratitude to public officials.