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http://ift.tt/2lsZFJf:
pearwaldorf:
[Screenshot of a Facebook post by Jessi Murray:
(Public post for easier sharing - on effective communications with public officials)
I had coffee with Richard Lazaro today, Patty Murray’s Seattle director. As part of our conversation, I asked what the most effective ways constituents could help out the Senator are, and whether the phone calls were effective.
In short, they are effective. Having numbers like “40,000 constituents told me they are worried about losing health care coverage” is a great talking point in conversation, both to bolster your own stance and shoot down an opponent’s assertion that no one cares.
However, he told me that the piece that they really could use more of now is personal stories. How would repealing the ACA affect you? What is your personal connection to public education? Etc. These can be used for a more personal and emotional appeal, especially to other Congress members who may be on the fence.
While I had repeatedly seen that “calls are more effective than emails,” Richard assured me that both calls and emails were tallied equally. Given that their voicemail hard drives were filling up every 45 minutes, causing calling to be a pain, and given that you are more able to compose your story in writing, he actually suggested emails more than calls.
Senator Murray can be emailed via this contact form:
http://ift.tt/2gX4ibC A friend from CA has told me that Rep. Kamala Harris’ office has asserted similar stances (that emails and calls are equivalent), so I would guess that this would hold for other elected officials.
Long story short, if you only have a minute, call and use a script. If you have more time, and particularly if you have a story, use email.]
Please do not remove transcription!
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