Sunday, October 16, 2011
Find out what law makers (legislators) represent the state where the animal is in
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT THE STATE LEGISLATORS
Believe it or not, legislators (elected officials who make laws) want to hear from you! They represent you and want to know about your concerns. If you are not in their jurisdiction, you still have the legal right to contact them about your concerns for animals and even one animal. Your input is the most important part of the legislative process because it can determine how legislators will vote. If we, as animal advocates, are not involved in the legislative process, we cannot complain when laws affecting animals go against them. Each time you make a phone call or send a letter, you are letting legislators know that you speak for animals. Animals do not vote but you do! If your legislators are not responsive to your concerns, elect those who are!
Believe it or not, legislators (elected officials who make laws) want to hear from you! They represent you and want to know about your concerns. If you are not in their jurisdiction, you still have the legal right to contact them about your concerns for animals and even one animal. Your input is the most important part of the legislative process because it can determine how legislators will vote. If we, as animal advocates, are not involved in the legislative process, we cannot complain when laws affecting animals go against them. Each time you make a phone call or send a letter, you are letting legislators know that you speak for animals. Animals do not vote but you do! If your legislators are not responsive to your concerns, elect those who are!
Phone calls, visits and written communication
PHONE CALLS AND VISITS
— Don't be afraid to call. Most often you will get a receptionist or an aide to the legislator who will take your opinion and ask for your name and address. That’s it. It's a rare occasion when you will have time to discuss the issue at hand in depth and an even rarer occasion when you will be asked why you have taken that particular stance on the issue. They are generally tallying calls in favor of or opposed to a bill. If by some chance your legislator answers the phone, simply express your opinion clearly and firmly. And remember, they put their pants on one leg at a time!
— Become informed. Before you contact your legislator, be sure you are informed about the issue. Because there are many bills pending in any session, it’s helpful to refer to the bill number, for example Bill S1234 or Bill A4321. (Those are just examples.)
— Be polite and courteous. The person who answers the phone determines if you get to speak directly to a legislative aide or the legislator. The legislative aide has the ear of the legislator, so it’s important to develop a rapport with everyone in the office.
— Identify yourself and briefly describe the legislation, including the bill number.
— Ask to speak or meet with your legislator, or the legislator’s aide.
— Clearly summarize the issue and don't assume your legislator knows anything about the bill. Unless your legislator is the sponsor of the legislation, the bill you mention is one of hundreds vying for his or her attention.
— Listen to what the legislator is saying, even if you disagree with the statements. There’s no point in talking about aspects of the bill upon which there is agreement. Focus primarily on those that may affect the legislator’s position on the bill.
— Don't be afraid to say, “I don't know.” If you’re asked questions and you don't know the facts, just say you’ll get back to the legislator. It’s better to get additional facts or clarify a position than to have to correct misinformation.
— Send a letter after your phone call or visit, thanking the legislator for a favorable position and supplying additional information you agreed to supply.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Letters and faxes are the best ways to state your position on a bill. Legislators have been known to say that e-mail is the least persuasive form of communication and a 2001 Washington Post survey confirms that, even indicating that many emails “are routinely ignored by the offices because of a lack of resources or capability.” It’s too easy for mass emails to go out and legislative offices by and large are not equipped to deal with the volume that can be generated by one email alert.
— Letters/faxes should be no longer than one page. Stick to one issue.
— Include your full name and address. Be polite and to the point.
— Identify the legislation in the first paragraph with a few words and the bill number.
— Avoid sending form letters or pre-printed postcards. If you are unfamiliar with an issue, a sample letter can give you a crash course in the details of the legislation, but a brief, original letter goes a long way in getting your legislator’s attention.
— If you must use email, treat it as if it were a letter. Put your legislators name and address at the top of the email and at the bottom, put your full name and mailing address. Do NOT just use your screen name.
— Ask for a response. If you don't get one within a month’s time, follow up.
— So, to recap, a short sincere letter faxed or mailed says it all, a phone call is good too, but leave the emailing or form letters as a last resort.
— Don't be afraid to call. Most often you will get a receptionist or an aide to the legislator who will take your opinion and ask for your name and address. That’s it. It's a rare occasion when you will have time to discuss the issue at hand in depth and an even rarer occasion when you will be asked why you have taken that particular stance on the issue. They are generally tallying calls in favor of or opposed to a bill. If by some chance your legislator answers the phone, simply express your opinion clearly and firmly. And remember, they put their pants on one leg at a time!
— Become informed. Before you contact your legislator, be sure you are informed about the issue. Because there are many bills pending in any session, it’s helpful to refer to the bill number, for example Bill S1234 or Bill A4321. (Those are just examples.)
— Be polite and courteous. The person who answers the phone determines if you get to speak directly to a legislative aide or the legislator. The legislative aide has the ear of the legislator, so it’s important to develop a rapport with everyone in the office.
— Identify yourself and briefly describe the legislation, including the bill number.
— Ask to speak or meet with your legislator, or the legislator’s aide.
— Clearly summarize the issue and don't assume your legislator knows anything about the bill. Unless your legislator is the sponsor of the legislation, the bill you mention is one of hundreds vying for his or her attention.
— Listen to what the legislator is saying, even if you disagree with the statements. There’s no point in talking about aspects of the bill upon which there is agreement. Focus primarily on those that may affect the legislator’s position on the bill.
— Don't be afraid to say, “I don't know.” If you’re asked questions and you don't know the facts, just say you’ll get back to the legislator. It’s better to get additional facts or clarify a position than to have to correct misinformation.
— Send a letter after your phone call or visit, thanking the legislator for a favorable position and supplying additional information you agreed to supply.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Letters and faxes are the best ways to state your position on a bill. Legislators have been known to say that e-mail is the least persuasive form of communication and a 2001 Washington Post survey confirms that, even indicating that many emails “are routinely ignored by the offices because of a lack of resources or capability.” It’s too easy for mass emails to go out and legislative offices by and large are not equipped to deal with the volume that can be generated by one email alert.
— Letters/faxes should be no longer than one page. Stick to one issue.
— Include your full name and address. Be polite and to the point.
— Identify the legislation in the first paragraph with a few words and the bill number.
— Avoid sending form letters or pre-printed postcards. If you are unfamiliar with an issue, a sample letter can give you a crash course in the details of the legislation, but a brief, original letter goes a long way in getting your legislator’s attention.
— If you must use email, treat it as if it were a letter. Put your legislators name and address at the top of the email and at the bottom, put your full name and mailing address. Do NOT just use your screen name.
— Ask for a response. If you don't get one within a month’s time, follow up.
— So, to recap, a short sincere letter faxed or mailed says it all, a phone call is good too, but leave the emailing or form letters as a last resort.
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