Advocacy Guide

Contacting your Legislators

Letters from constituents and groups are always important to our legislators. By following a few simple rules, your letter can have a greater impact on your Senator or Representative:

1. Always put your name, address and phone number somewhere in the letter. Return addresses on envelopes often get thrown away, and a legislator will want to know if you're one of their constituents. Anonymous letters are a waste of time.
2. Identify your subject quickly, and include the number of the bill, if known.
3. Clearly state your reasons for writing.  Your own personal experience is the best support that you can offer for your position or opinion. Explain how the issue will affect you, your family, your business or community.
4. Do not use a form letter! Avoid generic phrases that give the appearance of a form letter and send an original, not photocopied, document. Do not send copies of your legislative platform. Personal letters are the most effective; petitions, form letters and group letters are least effective.
5. Be sure that your correspondence is legible.
6. Ask for your legislator's position on the issue, and ask for a reply.
7. Always be polite. Be reasonable, and do not ask for the impossible. Threatening, or the use of other "strong arm" tactics will probably hurt your cause.
8. Courtesy is important! Thank your representative if they please you with a vote. They will appreciate it when you tell them that they are doing a good job, if that is your belief. Don't be afraid to tell them when they displease you, but do it politely.
9. It is best to write before the session begins, because that is when they have more time to consider issues. After the session ends, you can follow up with a reference to your earlier letter.
10. Sample Letter

Personal Meeting

When talking with legislators and policy makers, keep in mind that they are bombarded with requests and information on a daily basis. As such, please have the details of your message prepared in advance of any direct discussion with legislators. It may be helpful to have a brief, concise fact sheet available to leave behind for legislators or their staff.

The following are helpful hints for preparing fact sheets:

1. Remember to keep it brief and concise.
2. As a rule of thumb keep the information limited to one page at a maximum.
3. Make sure you are able to back up the information with references and/or data.
4. Don’t be too wordy.
5. Look to other organizations who are experts in the field. Many times there is already a fact sheet out there on your issue area of interest that you may find useful.

How do I testify before a Committee?

1. Identify yourself to the committee by stating your name and the name of the organization you are representing.
2. Thank the committee for allowing you to testify; it is always best to be as nice as possible.
3. Provide a very brief background as to why you are testifying (i.e., what makes you important to the issue).
4. Get right to the point. Be as brief and succinct as possible. Do not repeat what others have already said before you. Committee members are more likely to listen to your points when they are short.

If you have detailed analysis, provide handouts for committee members. Handouts should be bulleted or short points that are direct to your point and based in research.

When lots of people are testifying, you are likely to only have 3-5 minutes. Try to keep as much time as possible for questions from the committee members.

When you are finished, thank the committee for their time and BRIEFLY reiterate your main point as to why you wish passage or failure of the bill.

Useful IRS tax guidelines on lobbying by non-profits (IRS website)

Guide to the Georgia Legislature

How to Get There. Parking is scarce around the Capitol.  It is wise to park elsewhere in the city and take MARTA.  The east- west train stop is at the Georgia State University station.  If you choose to drive, the parking lots for "Underground Atlanta" are your best bet.

Getting into the Capitol. Except for legislators, everyone coming through any of the three Capitol entrances will be required to pass through metal detectors.  Visitors may also be asked to furnish one piece of photo identification and sign a guest book.

When to Go.  Usually, the House and Senate convene at 10:00 am.  Early in the session, both chambers usually recess by 12:00 pm for committee meetings.  The Legislature will recess for a week for budget hearings.

Food.  There are several places to eat, including the cafeteria of the Twin Towers building, a cafeteria on the sixth floor of the Legislation Office Building (LOB) across from the Capitol on Mitchell Street, and the state-run Garden Room across from the Washington Street side of the Capitol in Georgia Plaza Park. There is also a snack bar in the Capitol basement.

Information. You can call the Senate public information office at 404-656-0028.

Legislation. The House and Senate information offices print status reports each Friday on bills introduced and considered that week. The House version is called "The Weekly Legislative Report"; the Senate's publication is entitled "News of the Georgia Senate." Copies of bills are free at the House Clerk's office, Room 309. The telephone number is 404-656-5015. Bills may also be obtained from the Secretary of the Senate's office, Room 351.  The telephone number is 404-656-5040.