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Policy Advocacy: The 10  Minute Version

Support the "Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Act of 2007
Contact your U.S. Representative today and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 2052, whose chief author is Representative Nita Lowey (New York).  In addition, contact your U.S. Senator to ask them to co-sponsor S. 1204, whose chief author is Senator Chris Dodd (Connecticut)

For more information about this bill, click here.  To find out who your legislators are, enter your zip code below.

Other Things you Can Do!

Write A Letter to the Editor
Write a letter to the editor for your local newspaper

Let Your Legislators Know
Concerned individuals can initiate change by calling, writing, and meeting with their state legislators or other associations.    It is also advisable to consider strategies that increase your influence in order to strengthen your chances of achieving your objectives. 

Check out Prevention Education In Other States 
Refer your legislator to the text of these bills and discuss getting similar legislation in your state. 
 

How to Effective Communicate with your Legislator

Calling Your Legislator

Writing Effective Letters to Legislators

Prepare an outline.
By structuring your thoughts, it will be easier for you to complete a letter with a clear message that is supported by      substantial facts. Be sure to do your homework and then prepare your letter with these thoughts in mind:


--Main point or message of your letter.

--Key points to support your main point.

State the purpose or main point of your letter in the first paragraph.
If you are writing, regarding specific legislation, be sure to state the assigned bill number.   

Be brief and to the point.
Try and keep letters to one page. Only go to two pages if you need to clarify specific points.

Be neat.
If possible your letter should be typewritten. However, neatly handwritten letters on a professional looking stationary are also acceptable. Be sure to include your full name and address on the letter as well as the envelope.

Send your letter via the postal service, fax, or email.
Unfortunately, hard copy letters still tend to get in front of the legislator more readily than electronic mail (email). Although email is convenient, please keep this in mind. Certainly if your issue has some important activity that requires your feedback immediately, email is the fastest way to communicate.  Fax numbers can be obtained by calling the legislator's office or using the "Contact Lawmakers" search box above. 

Address only one issue per letter.
This ensures that your primary message does not get lost and that you don't get off on tangents that won't necessarily support your position.

Show repect.
A letter that is presented in a respectful, civil manner has a better chance of being taken seriously as well as initiating an ongoing cooperative relationship with a legislator.

Be timely.
Be sure your letter will be received before decisions or final actions are made, but also don't send a letter too far in advance. One to two months in advance is usually appropriate so the legislator has time to look over your letter and you in turn have time to respond further with additional thoughts.

Follow-up on the legislator's reply.
If you feel you have received an unsatisfactory response or certain points are unclear, write back with additional information or request clarification on those points. Be polite, but be persistent.

Write thank you letters.
When a legislator supports legislation you are in favor of, follow-up with a thank you note referring to the specific bill number.

Addressing Letters and Envelopes

The Honorable (full name)
State Senate or House of Representatives (U.S.  Senate or U.S. House of Representatives)
State Capitol  Address ( Washington, DC Address)

Dear Senator or Representative (Last Name):  

Meeting with your Legislator

Meet with other concerned Individuals.
If there are others that are supportive and concerned about the same issues, schedule a meeting to determine such things as major areas of concern and ideas on improvement. If possible, use a large bulletin board or pad to post all ideas for the entire group during your "brainstorming" session. Get a consensus on two major topics to be discussed with the legislator as well as proposed legislative changes. A spokesperson and two other individuals should be chosen to attend the meeting with the legislator.

Prepare a brief fact sheet to leave with the legislator.
This should state pertinent facts about the present situation, why proposed changes are needed and what changes you or your group would like enacted. This should be no more than 2 typewritten pages and should include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all attendees in your group if appropriate.

Schedule an appointment with legislator.
Call your legislator's office to schedule an appointment with the secretary or legislative assistant.

        Be prepared for the Meeting

Be polite, professional, prompt, and patient. Be sure to dress in business attire or clean, neat clothing for the meeting. Expect some delays for the appointment as sometimes legislators have unexpected emergencies or calls.

Discuss only two major topics during your meeting.

Explain what you would like the legislator do and why.

Determine if your legislator has heard of any opposing views and the specifics of the arguments presented thus far.

Be polite, but assertive. Don't let the discussion get off track or allow broad, responses by the legislator. Ask for specifics and explanations for unclear answers. Maintain direction and control of the meeting.

Be prepared to answer questions.
If you are asked a question you can not answer, write down the question and let the legislator know that you will get back to them with an answer. Don't destroy your credibility by making up answers.

Ask for a commitment.
Ask the legislator to give his position on the issue. If the legislator declines, ask why and offer to provide more information that may assist him in making a decision.

Follow up your visit with a thank you.
Be sure to send a thank you note after the meeting. Also, don't forget to follow up with information on any questions you may have been unable to answer at the meeting.

 

Strategies that Increase Your Influence

--Gather with "like-minded" individuals to create a group effort.

--Get the support of other well-known organizations.

--Leverage your legislator's opponent in the next election.

--Utilize the media to get the word out.
 

Kim Kang, Copyright 2005