Phone anxiety is real, and when the call is to a government office, picking up the phone can seem overwhelming. It can also be one of the most effective ways to sway your members’ vote on issues you care about.
Political staffers log every single call that comes into their office in a database that informs the member of the issues their constituents are engaged with, and they use this data to inform their decisions. Staffers answering the phones are trained to talk with constituents, and they do it all day. They won’t be debating you about your position, and are likely to be primarily listening and taking notes. Calling your members’ offices is one of the most effective ways to share your opinion and ensure your members are working in the best interest of the people who elected them.
Step 1: Figure out who you’re calling.
Step 2: Decide what you want to talk about, and be specific!
- You can make a call to let your members’ offices know where you stand on an issue you care about. You don’t need to be an expert to voice your opinion, and your call can be short and simple.
- Call your representative to let them know how you would like them to vote or a specific a specific action you’d like them to take.
- To make sure you hit all the important points, it can be helpful to write a script for your call. During your conversation, you will have to give your name, where you live, and explain why an issue matters to YOU. Including personal stories and details makes your call more compelling.
Step 3: Make the call!
- The person who picks up will typically be a staff assistant or an intern, or you may need to leave a voicemail. They will listen to what you have to say and relay your message to your councilmember .
- If talking to a real person makes you nervous, you can call after business hours to leave a voicemail!
- Read directly from your script, or just reference it to help you out.
- That’s it, you’re done!
Calling is the single most effective quick way to have an impact, so give it a try. That said, if you are still a bit too nervous to make the call, there are other options! You could try:
- Attending an in-person meeting.
- Community meetings are great opportunities to speak directly to your councilmembers and let them know their constituents are engaged on issues you care about. This is a really effective way to make your voice heard, though time consuming. Upcoming meetings here.
- Writing a letter or email to your city councilmember.
- Personalized letters or emails can be an effective way to get your member to take notice of your issue.
- Engaging with your members on social media.
- Members’ staff regularly check their social media mentions and tags, so engaging with their offices via social media is a great way to show you are invested in an issue while also raising awareness and momentum around that issue. You can also use your social media posts to encourage others to make calls!
- Donating money to causes you care about.
(List modified from the League of Conservation Voters here.)