Lobbying
Getting Acquainted
An essential part of any movement for social change is the effort to create new legislation. To do this, you must know how to communicate with your elected officials.
First, find out who they are by calling your county's Board of Elections, contacting the League of Women Voters, or looking online for a list of federal, state, county, and city officials.
Next, get to know as many legislators as you can. Don't wait until your group wants to introduce a bill. Lay the foundation before you start a legislative campaign. Attend "town meetings" where legislators meet with voters to answer questions. Write to thank them for taking specific positions that you support. Arrange to meet with them, even if it's on an issue that you don't feel strongly about. The important thing is to establish a rapport.
It's also very helpful to get to know elected officials' aides, who are often much more accessible and can often provide you with good "inside" information.
 Writing Letters
When writing to an elected official, keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Discuss only one issue in each letter.
- Keep it short. One page is best, and two pages is the maximum.
- The more personal the letter appears, the more seriously it will be taken.
- State the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph.
- Support your argument with facts, not emotions.
- Don't assume that the legislator knows all about the issue. Provide background information.
- Identify the bill or ordinance by title and number.
- Be polite and positive.
- Never threaten ("I won't vote for you if ..."). Today's opponent may be tomorrow's ally on another issue.
- Don't offend by saying, "You probably won't pay any attention to this" or, "I know you won't do anything."
- Clearly state what you want him or her to do (vote "yes" or "no" on a particular bill, urge a government agency to investigate a laboratory, etc.). Don't be vague.
- Include your name and address on the envelope, in the letter, and in all e-mail messages.
- Don't be self-righteous about being a "citizen" or a "taxpayer." They assume that you are both.
- Use the proper form for the address and salutation. On the envelope and inside address, refer to any legislator as "Honorable." The salutation for state or federal representatives is "Mr." or "Ms." The salutation for state or federal senators is "Senator."
When writing to senators, use the following format and address:
The Honorable (first and last name)
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
When writing to representatives, use the following format and address:
The Honorable (first and last name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Meeting With Officials
When meeting with elected officials, use the following tips to make the most of your meeting:
- Make an appointment well in advance.
- Go by yourself or, at most, with one other person. If you are going with a group of people, decide on a spokesperson ahead of time.
- Dress conservatively and professionally.
- Know about the legislator and his or her voting record. Compliment him or her on past achievements.
- Be friendly and positive.
- Don't turn down a chance to meet with a legislative aide. Go to the meeting and behave as if you were meeting with an elected official.
- Know the title and bill number of the legislation that you want to discuss.
- Provide one-page factsheets to give background information.
- Don't speak as a member of a national organization.
- Don't wear animal rights buttons.
- Know your facts.
- Don't become emotional and carry on about how animals are suffering and how heartbreaking it is.
- Make your points briefly and clearly. Don't waste the legislator's time. Thank him or her, and leave promptly.
Remember that how you communicate is as important as what you communicate. People who care about animals are often stereotyped as emotional. We can change that image by doing our homework, staying calm and polite, and keeping our statements concise. |
