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10 Ways to Connect with Your Legislators for Effective Civic Engagement

This guide provides ten essential strategies for reaching out to your legislators to make your voice heard effectively. It outlines various methods such as sending letters, emails, and making phone calls, as well as engaging in meetings both in Washington and locally. Key principles for effective communication include being factual, concise, and courteous, while also knowing the appropriate do's and don'ts of interaction. Additionally, it underlines the importance of building relationships with legislative candidates and offers tips for hosting conservation tours to engage lawmakers meaningfully.

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10 Ways to Connect with Your Legislators for Effective Civic Engagement

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Connecting With YourLegislators

  2. 10 Ways to ContactYour Legislators • Send a letter (via fax preferably) • Send an email • Call on the phone • Meet in Washington • Meet in their Congressional District Office

  3. Participate in local meetings • Participate in virtual forums • Make a speaking invitation • Respond to a survey • Get to know staff

  4. How To Be Heard

  5. Making Your Case Effectively • Be factual • Be clear and concise • Be personal • Be inclusive

  6. Be constructive • Be informed about Congress • Be a listener • Be courteous • Be aware of rules

  7. Be open to compromise • Be patient • Be persistent • Enjoy yourself

  8. Some Basic Do’s and Don’ts Do: • Schedule your appointment well in advance • Be punctual for your meeting • Dress appropriately for the occasion • Prepare adequate materials, handouts and a brief leave behind

  9. Do: • Stay focused on your issue • Provide relevant, specific examples from the legislator’s home district • Follow up after your meeting to answer any questions or unresolved issues

  10. Don’t: • Show up 15 minutes late • Wear out your welcome • Talk about your recent doctor’s appointment • Wear your work boots

  11. Don’t: • Bring everyone you know to the meeting • Get upset if you only get to meet with staff • Mix personal and professional agendas

  12. Consider Hostinga Conservation Tour • Plan tours during Congressional recess periods • Send a written letter of invitation to lawmakers and staff, offering multiple dates • Confirm the visit

  13. Engage your local, state, and national conservation association representatives • Invite local news media • Invite local government officials • Consult the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Legislative Affairs staff for guidance on current federal issues. (202) 547-6223

  14. Develop an agenda and a briefing on the issues • Prepare handouts for the legislator and staff • Take pictures of the legislator and staff throughout the tour. • Send a note of thanks

  15. Ideas for Effective Tours • Visit local producers who have utilized the services of the conservation district • Conduct a boat tour • Showcase demonstration projects • Coordinate walking tours highlighting • Neighborhood conservation practices • Sustainable forestry practices

  16. Develop Relationships with Legislative Candidates • Invitation to your conservation district’s board meeting. • Invitation to your annual banquet • Invitation to a conservation tour in their congressional district.

  17. Minnesota’s Civic Engagement Training

  18. Democracy is a work in progress. Will you sit on the sidelines or will you engage in our representative democracy?

  19. Sources:Center on Congress at Indiana Universitywww.centeroncongress.orgNational Association of Conservation Districts “The Resource,” Summer 2009, http://www.nacdnet.org/news/publications/resource/Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsUniversity of Minnesota Extension

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