First of all, don't ever
think that your call, letter, fax or email to a public official does
not count! Elected officials must take all communication from their
constituents very seriously. Considering that a relatively small number
of people in any constituency actually do reach out and contact their
representatives, your communication carries a lot of weight. We've
heard from state legislators in Texas that their office staff considers
it a busy day when they receive between ten or fifteen constituent
calls. This is not a lot! One more call or letter can make a big difference.
Even if your representative
is already a big supporter of family planning, you should still call
or write to express your views. And don't forget to thank them for
their support. The encouragement of friendly constituents helps keep
them going!
When
calling your representative's office:
Identify yourself as a
constituent by telling them the city you live in and your zip code.
Be clear and to the point
about the reason for your call. For example, "I am calling to ask
the Senator to vote against any amendments to Senate Bill 100."
If you have ever met
the official personally, even just briefly, refer to that meeting
in your call. "I met the Senator and enjoyed hearing her speak at
the City Fun Run in April, so I particularly wanted to call and let
her know how important this issue is."
Let them know how the
issue will affect your community, as specifically as you can. For
example, "The proposed amendment to S.B. 100 would restrict minors'
access to contraceptives in Travis County. This could increase our
teen-pregnancy rate, which is already too high."
Take full advantage of
organizations (like WHFPT) that provide talking points or sample messages
to use.
Note to Students: You should
call both your local representatives and those from your permanent home
district!
