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Get
to Know Your Legislators!
WHY:
Because
they have to get to know us.
Politics
is personal. Whenever they cast a vote that affects our issues, they have
to be able to think of the people and families who will be affected. They
have to think of our faces and our names.
It is up
to us put our faces before them and share with them our dignity,
aspirations, and needs. To let them know how the decisions they face will
affect us for better or for worse.
Get to
know their staff and get to know them. That is their job. We just need
to reach out.
HOW:
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Use this
zip code search that links
to their websites. If you want to, you can read their biography, learn
their policy interests, see what committees they are on, and get their
contact information.
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You can meet with them in either the district office or their
Capitol office. You can call and ask for an appointment to meet the
legislator or staff, or just drop in and ask to speak with staff.
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An effective way to meet your legislator is at public meetings in
the district. Call the office and ask when these are happening.
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If you are able, volunteer at their district office or in their
campaigns.
MEETINGS:
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Go to meetings with a short list of points you want to make.
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To make a policy point, speak about your situation or others who are
affected. Make it personal. People respond to people, to real lives.
It is simple.
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Always be respectful. You are trying to build a relationship. Be
considerate of their time.
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Try and get a next step, because we are building a relationship
(e.g., “Let me know how the Senator votes.” “I will get that information
for you.” “Can I arrange a meeting with the Assemblymember where I can
bring some families to share their experience?” “I will call you to see
when the hearing is.” “Thank you for your time. May I keep in touch
with your staff to keep you informed on this issue?” Or simply, "I
appreciated your time, I look forward to seeing you again.").
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Thank them.
PERSONAL LETTERS - Guidelines:
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Include a picture of who this letter is about (yourself, your child,
etc). |
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Get
the names and titles right. |
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Handwritten or typed is fine |
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Keep
it short (A few paragraphs is fine). |
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Keep
it quick (Do not dwell on it or try to make it perfect! Just make it
from the heart.). |
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Keep
it real. Talk about what really matter to YOU. Keep it personal (not
theoretical or abstract). |
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Identify which budget proposal or legislation affects you or the
people you know and explain how, using your real life experience. |
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Typically speak to one budget proposal (or a related set) in one
letter. (Do not send lists). |
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Be
respectful and courteous (say please and thank you!). Do NOT be rude,
threatening, or complaining. And do not make anyone the bad guy. |
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Include your name and address. |
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For
personal letters, use cc's only when writing the Chair of a committee.
(Generally, legislators need to know that the letter is from YOU to
THEM, not to a list of folks).
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SAMPLE
LETTER - Format:
December
1, 2003
Hon. Judy Chu, Chair
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1
State Capitol, Room 2148
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymember Chu,
(Say who you are or what you do and make your ask)
My DAUGHTER/SON, NAME, is developmentally disabled. I hope you
will stand by our family and oppose the Governor’s Mid-Year budget cuts to
people with developmental disabilities.
(Explain the proposal that affects you or the people you work with and how
it affects you; one or two paragraphs)
My
daughter has autism and severe behavioral issues. We are able to keep her
with her family because of the behavioral therapy and respite provided by
the regional center. If we lost these services we would have to place her
in a residential care setting at great cost to the state and to our
family.
Thank you for listening to my concerns. (And if this is your own
representative ask them to keep you informed on this issue and how they
voted).
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
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