How To Impact Your Federal Legislator

At the Defend the American Dream Summit hosted by the Americans for Prosperity last weekend, they had grassroots workshops that one could attend. The 3 of them that I attended Saturday afternoon I (Warrior Joe) had taped. I (Joe) will share with everyone the main points from the Grassroots Workshop that talk about:

How to Impact your Legislator? What Matters to a Member of Congress/State Legislator?

I. DON'T

A) Shake - Do NOT be afraid to contact them. We have a responsibility and duty to do so.

.....1) Your vote counts and matters to them. Especially if you live in their district or state they are from.

B) Ramble -

.....1) When you call, email , fax, talk to them, or write them, do not talk about several different subjects to them. Stick to ONLY .........ONE subject . They will for sure catch what you are saying to them loud and clear.

C) Roll:

.....1) Even though you might be very angry about a issue, topic, or stance, do NOT BEAT up on them. Do not trash .........them, call them names, talk angry to them, or yell and scream at them.

.....2) Even if they do not agree with you on what you are trying to say to them, you might find that on another issue, they do .........agree with you on it. But if you talk mean, and beat up on them, you might have made a enemy with them. So what you .........will say to them next time will get nowhere with them.

D) Do not think in party lines. Think as Americans or Patriots. .


II. What Matters Most to them?

A) Keep in mind this: If they can be moved to vote the wrong way, they can be moved to vote the right way.

B) Leverage -

.....1) Helping or volunteer to help get them reelected

.....2) Monetary donations

C) Reelection: Remember this: We are your boss! We can hire or fire you.

.....1) This is the main thing they all want. However, it is what they must hear from us loud and clear. Because they truly feel .........they will get reelected year after year. They could not, and will not be defeated.

.....2) The key phrase that we must put in every single fax, email, and letter. When we call them, or speak to them face to face, .........we must stress to them loud and clear. Again not in a mean spirited , or shout it to them. But make them know that this .........will be done.

..........a) For remember this: They truly believe they will be reelected to office. Especially those who have been in office for ..............years now.

.....3) For a conclusion say this to them: If you do (or do not) vote for this bill or change your views for or against this bill, then I .........will work with my groups and organizations I belong to, to make sure you are not reelected.

III) What is the Most Effective to Least Effective Ways to Communicate With Them?

A) Town Hall Meetings

B) Face to Face Meetings

C) Faxes

D) New Forms of Media on the Internet

.....1) Many of them have blogs

.....2) Many of them Twitter

.....3) Many of them on their official webpages have forums or message boards

.....4) Many of them have Facebooks

E) Phone calls

.....1) Do NOT keep calling their Washington and State Capitoloffices.

..........a) They are always busy

..........b) You will get a recording the circuit lines are all busy right now. Please call again.

..........c) Many times those that answer will not listen to what you are saying to them

.....2) Call one of their local offices.

..........a) All of their local offices are on their webpages, or yellow pages in your phone book.

..........b) Many times those reps in those offices will listen.

F) Snail Mail

.....1) Every piece of mail that they recieve , must be scanned for security purposes.

.....2) It can be days, and maybe weeks before those letters get to their offices.

G) Email

.....1) The ONLY way this can be one of the most effective ways is, if you email them from the template that is on their official .........websites.

..........a) If you click on Contact US on their official webpages, you will find them there.

..........b) These do get read.

..........c) Everyone of these emails is logged in, and counted daily.

.....2) Mistake so many make is they email someone directly from their regular email account.

..........a) These emails NEVER EVER get read


IV Things to Remember:

A) Be very civil to them

B) Do not bash, or trash them when you contact them

C) Do not take it out on their reps, or when you speak to them

D) Be persistent, and keep contacting them

E) Stick to ONLY one subject

F) In the first sentence always state right off the bat, why you are contacting them?

.....1) Let them know the bill or piece of legislation you are writing, faxing, emailing , calling , or talking to them about.

.....2) Let them know you are for or against it.

.....3) Give them the facts, and the truth

.....4) Stick to ONLY one subject

.....5) Try to keep it short and to the point

.....6) End with the reelection line

G) Praise them and thank them when they do vote the way you want them to.

.....1) Even if they are from the opposing party.

H) Let them know if they did not vote the way you wanted them to, that you would remember them when it is reelection time.

.....1) Do it in a very CIVIL way.

.....2) Do not let passion get into it

I) Make sure they get your name, and contact information if you call them.

.....1) Especially if you live in the state or district they represent.

J) They truly do care about what you say to them

K) They do get daily reports on how many people are for or against a bill

L) Remember what matters the most to them: REELECTION!