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How To Contact Your Legislator. When calling your Legislator be sure to include:. Your name The district you live in/work Any affiliations The issue you are presenting How the issue affects you or the individuals you work with Your stand on the issue and its reasoning
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When calling your Legislator be sure to include: • Your name • The district you live in/work • Any affiliations • The issue you are presenting • How the issue affects you or the individuals you work with • Your stand on the issue and its reasoning • What you would like your legislator to do
Continued… • Ask what the legislator’s position is • Ask if you can leave your name and address • Be sure to thank them for their time
Meetingwith your Legislator • Begin by introducing yourself and tell them you are a constituent from their district • State the issue you are addressing • Use examples from your experience • Before leaving make a request for action (to support or oppose the bill)
Talking to your Legislator • If they disagree with you, be sure to remain polite and thank them for listening. • If they ask questions you cannot answer, be honest, tell them you’ll find out and get back to them
Tips For Writing Effective Letters • Short • Specific • Discuss only ONE bill or issue per letter • Put your letter in your own words, avoid abbreviations & jargon • Tell why you are interested in the topic • Tell how the issue affects you or your family personally • Invite the legislator to respond to you, be sure to include name, address, phone number, and email • Thank your legislator
Mary Jones 123 Farm Way Eggland WV January XX, 2004 Honorable Woolworth B. Lamb Senator West Virginia Senate State Capitol Building Charleston, WV 25305 Dear Senator Lamb: I am one of your constituents. I am a (4-H’er, CEOS, Master Gardener, Union Member). I am writing to you because our country needs more WVU Extension agents. WVU Extension is important to because…….. I hope you will be supportive of higher education and WVU Extension in the upcoming session by…… Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Mary Jones SAMPLE
ALWAYS: • Be one time • Come prepared • Keep in mind you know the topic, explain the issue as if you are talking to someone without any knowledge of the area. • Be brief
Follow up: • Leave a short written summary of your position. • Write them a thank you and a summary of your position again. • Continue to keep in contact with your legislator throughout the year.