What Can I Do?
  
 

A Guide to Grassroots Advocacy

You need to talk to your legislator.  Maybe you’d like her to know about what your program is doing for the kids in your community.  Maybe he really needs to know that your county’s teen pregnancy rate just went up.  

So, how do you do it?  Most of us are somewhat intimidated by the idea of calling up a legislator.  After all, they are busy and important people; they’re not really interested in hearing from one person, right?  Wrong!  Legislators work for you; they have a duty to accept feedback, information, and requests from the people whom they represent. 

WHAT TO DO

1) Be informed and prepared.
Most legislators respond to the power of informed opinion, particularly when the opinion is shared by a significant number of his/her constituents. 

  1. Study the issue(s) you want to talk with your legislator about. 
  2. Know your legislator's views and voting record on the issue or similar issues, if possible. 
  3. Be able to communicate how some of the issues affect your community.  (For example, 1 out of 4 teens that come into your clinic are overweight, or funding for the teen pregnancy prevention program in your community was cut, yet you have some of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state.) 

2) Express Your Views — However, be sympathetic to the legislator’s position or opinion.  Remember, public officials are elected to represent the interest of the public.  They need to stay in touch with the public, and likewise, you (the public) need to stay in touch with elected officials.  Be positive in your approach!  Views can be expressed through —

  1. Meetings/visits —During the meeting, be specific, concise, and polite. Always thank the legislator for his or her time and write a follow up thank you note.  Other ways you can involve them in the future are to get them on the agenda as speakers for special events or ask them to provide a legislative update at a board meeting or public meeting.  At the face-to-face meeting, be sure to exchange contact information so you can communicate in the future. 
  2. Telephone calls — Make a list of the points you wish to convey and tell the legislative assistant why you are calling.  When talking with the legislator, be specific, concise, and polite. Always thank the legislator for his or her time.
  3. Written correspondence — Discuss one issue per letter, state your position on the bill by reasons and facts, request the legislator’s position on the issue, and be brief, concise, and polite.  If referring to a specific bill, use the bill number and the title in your letter or e-message.  Always thank the individual for his/her consideration.  Avoid form letters.  Be judicious in the use of e-mail messages.

3) Organize Your Opinions — No elected official can afford to ignore the weight of public opinion.  Get others in your community who share your views to contact the legislator as well. 

4) Be an Active Voter 

WHAT ONE SHOULD NOT DO

Don’t threaten or pressure an elected official

  1. Don’t be vague
  2. Don’t apologize for taking his/her time
  3. Don’t be offended or upset if he/she disagrees with your issue or point of view, and don’t be rude 

 

© The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition of North Carolina