Tools for Legislative Action

An Encouraging Primer

A Sample Letter

Tips About Letters

Calling Your Representative

Who Represents You?

The Legislative Process

Basic Tips for Action

 

Tips for Legislative Action

• Always identify yourself as a constituent.

• Address the legislator as "Senator", "Representative", "Congressman", or "Congresswoman".

• Be friendly, positive, courteous and respectful in all your interactions
with legislators, aides and staff.

• Do not get emotional, impatient or angry, and never threaten or ttack. These approaches push people away: you want to persuade.

• Keep your message simple and brief.

• If possible, relate the issue to local impact (in your district) and to other issues of particular interest or concern to you this legislator.

• Refer to a bill by its name and call number (i.e.,: "State Midwifery Act" HB 315).

 

 

 

Many thanks to Citizens for Midwifery for material adapted from their web site. Click here to go there for a lot of other great information and contact to others in your community who are interested in birth issues.

 
 
© Patchworks Productions, 2001
Permission to reproduce these materials is hereby granted
with appropriate credit, and notification.