| 
Parent Advocacy >Communicating
with Elected Officials
<<< Previous Page | Next Page >>
Elected officials want to hear from you, the constituent.
They want to be informed about issues that could be changed to improve
the lives of a large group of people. It is their job to learn what the
issues are and promote legislation that supports and improves the way
these issues are resolved. Depending upon what party you and the legislator
belong to, he/she may or may not see things exactly the way you do on
every issue. But it is also important for elected officials to hear all
sides and consider new ideas.
As a citizen who can vote, you have the greatest opportunity to influence
lawmakers from the districts in which you live. If you decide to become
a serious advocate, there are many ways you can get to know the elected
officials in your community. Some effective ways include calling their
offices, writing letters and emailing your opinions when legislation is
being worked on that you feel strongly about. Every call, letter and email
is counted as a way for lawmakers to judge how strongly people feel about
pending legislation.
The following items will be helpful in effectively communicating with
elected officials:
How To Write A Good Constituent
Letter or Email
Write to inform the elected officials who represent you of your opinion
on a bill or issue you feel is important. Use your own words and include
your address on your stationary or your email. Take the following steps
when writing or emailing a letter to a public official:
- State the purpose of the letter.
- Explain why you support this measure and show how it addresses an
- existing problem.
- If possible, give an example or explain how the bill will affect you
personally.
- Show that you are aware of the bill's status and that you understand
the legislative process.
- Ask the legislator to respond in some way.
These steps are made in the following sample letter:
Your Full Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Date
Assemblymember (Full Name)
State Capitol, Room xxxx*
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: Support of AB 1234 (Bill Sponsor)
Dear Assemblymember (Last Name):
I support AB 1234, which would require new schoolbuses
to be equipped with seatbelts and require the children to use them.
Seatbelts have been shown to save lives in the event of an accident.
We require everyone to wear them when riding in a car; we should
be even more careful when it comes to our children on their way
to and from school.
My son, (First Name), is in the first grade this
year. I am concerned that he is learning that seatbelts aren't important
because he doesn't have to use them on the bus. He no longer automatically
puts on his seatbelt when we get in the car; I have to remind him
most of the time. I am concerned about his safety, not only on the
bus, but also in the future as he learns to use or not use his seatbelt.
The Assembly Education Committee will hear AB
1234 on (Month/Day). Please support this important bill and see
that it reaches the Assembly Floor.
Sincerely,
(Sign your name legibly)
Your name |
Compliments of 'Anatomy of a Good Constituent Letter', On
The Capitol Doorstep, 926 J Street, Sacramento, CA 9581.
*Call the local office of the elected official (see Directory
of Public Officials) and ask for the room number in the Sacramento
office.
Top
Fundamental Do's and Don'ts
The Fundamental Do's
DO address your senator or representative properly.
DO write legibly.
DO be brief and to the point.
DO identify the bill number if you can.
DO identify yourself and explain your connection to the issue.
DO be courteous and reasonable.
DO write if you have a question or problem dealing with
procedures of governmental departments.
DO write to say you approve, not just to complain or oppose. And
send a follow-up thank you letter when the legislator supports your
issue.
DO include pertinent editorials from local papers.
DO write early in the session, before bills are introduced, if you have
ideas you would like to see incorporated in legislation.
DO write the chair or members of a committee that will hear a bill if
you have facts you think might influence their thinking. Send a copy
to your own legislator with a short personal note.
The Fundamental Dont's
DON'T begin on the righteous note of "As a citizen and taxpayer…".
Your legislator assumes this.
DON'T apologize for taking his or her time. Just be brief and to the
point.
DON'T say, "I hope this gets by your secretary." This irritates
office staff.
DON'T be rude or threatening.
DON'T be vague.
DON'T write to a member from another district just because you disagree
politically with your own legislators. However, it is fine to write
to the members of an entire committee - see DO's.
Suggestions by the League of Women Voters
Top
Addresses & Salutations
When Writing Public Officials
Federal Officials
The President
The Honorable (full name)
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20502
Dear Mr. President:
U.S. Senator
The Honorable (full name)
Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator (last name):
U.S. Representative
The Honorable (full name)
Cannon Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressmember (last name):
California State Officials
Governor
The Honorable (full name)
Governor's Office
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor (last name):
State Senator
The Honorable (full name)
California State Senate
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator (last name):
Local Addresses also available in Directory
of Public Officials
State Assemblymember
The Honorable (full name)
California State Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymember (last name):
Local Addresses also available in Directory
of Public Officials
Local Board of Supervisors
Supervisor (full name)
Find specific address in Directory
of Public Officials
Dear Supervisor (last name):
Referenced in Goffin, Stacie G. & Lombardi, Joan, Speaking Out: Early
Childhood Advocacy, National Association for the Education of Young Children,
1988
Top
<<< Previous Page | Next Page >>
|
