TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY

Don't be shy about communicating with your lawmakers.  It is their job to represent their constituents, including you.  Lawmakers need the people they represent to help educate them on matters of importance!

1. Educate yourself on the issues. More information equals more effective advocacy.

2. Contact the lawmaker before the issue blows up.

3. Don't fake your answer to a question from a lawmaker. If you don't know, tell them you will follow up with additional information. Make sure you do!

4. If applicable, include in any correspondence or meeting that you are a person of faith. Lawmakers must understand that there are varying perspectives from people of faith on many issues.  Often the only voice of faith many lawmakers hear is from conservatives.

5. Attend Legislative Forums in your district sponsored by your representative or senator.  In addition to educating lawmakers, forums are a chance for you to get more information on other issues before your community.

Face-to-Face Communication

Whenever possible, talk with a lawmaker face to face- at the capitol (or city hall, etc.), at a legislative forum, or other public events.

• Be polite. Be yourself.
• Plan what you will say ahead of time. Talk about how the issue affects you and/or your family directly. Personal stories are the most effective tool to change hearts and minds.
• Be specific about what you would like the lawmaker to do. Concentrate on one or two specific items.
• If you go as a group, designate one person to act as the spokesperson. This helps keep the meeting moving along and avoids confusion.  Have the spokesperson introduce each person briefly so the legislator meets each person. Designate someone to keep notes, to ensure information requested by the lawmaker gets back to him or her.
• Send a follow-up thank you note. Thank them for their time, emphasize your main points and make any additional points you may have forgotten.

Written Communication:

• Explain your opinion, briefly. Talk about how the issue affects you and/or your family directly. Personal stories are the most effective tool to change hearts and minds.
• State your expectation of them as your representative.
• Sign your name and include your address.
• Tell them you will be paying attention to the issue and their vote.

Spread the Word

Hold educational forums at your church or organization on issues of importance to you. These can be adult or youth religious education classes, men's or women's groups, or social justice committee meetings just to name a few.  Make sure you are welcoming of varying perspectives to promote authentic conversation.  Interfaith Alliance of Iowa can offer resources for conversations within our issue areas.

Making a Difference

If you don't know your state or federal elected officials, find out now so that you are ready when an important issue arises.

You can find your state and federal representatives and their contact information on the Iowa Legislature's website at: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/

You can call your state Representative at (515) 281-3221 or your state Senator at (515) 281-3371.

Gov. Chet Culver can be contacted through the website www.governor.iowa.gov or by calling (515) 281-5211.

Pointing to the power of individuals, the Dalai Lama said, "Since periods of great change, such as the present one, come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world." Each one of us has the power to be the change we'd like to see in the world.