Know how to contact decision makers

Plan for ongoing communications.

• Make sure you have phone numbers, addresses and email addresses for your state senators and representatives, State Board members and the Governor and members of Congress.
• Ask your elected officials how they prefer to be contacted: by phone, mail or email, and ask the best way to reach them for urgent information before voting.
• Provide your phone, cell phone and email address; sign up for email newsletters; and encourage them to contact you, especially before voting on key education issues.

Determine the best way to contact your elected representatives.

• Phone calls or texts are the fastest means of contact, but you may not get through when officials are in session. Ask for their cell phone number.
• Letters provide written documentation of your positions and facts as a reference, but mailing is the slowest communication.
• Email is fast and provides a record, but may not be opened in time or at all.
• The best solution is a mix of all of them.

For all forms of communication.

• State your position (what you want them to do).
• Support your position (why you want them to do it and why they should support it).
• Offer to provide more information or alternatives, if any.
• Thank them for listening and encourage further communication.
• Use CASB’s agenda planning document.

Contact after action or vote.

• When elected officials vote as you want, thank them personally and publicly.
• When officials do not vote as you want, politely express disappointment and urge reconsideration if the issue comes back.