You can adocate for Grange policy. Here is a way that you can move to the next step in our promoting Grange Advocacy.
When issues are pending in the U.S. Congress, government agencies, and in California. We will notify you based on the issues that you registered with us. We’ll let you know when bills are heading for a vote and we need your involvement to get it passed or defeated as per our policy. If a bill is in danger of being ignored, we’ll contact you to help get things moving alone. Whichever the case, your help will ensure that our lawmakers take appropriate action on our legislated issues.
Here is how can Advocate for Grange Policy. First you will need to download the current Policy Handbook. Take some time and become familar with the various policies. Use a highlighter to identify areas you have an interest in. Watch for emails from the State Grange Legislative Director and contact your lawmakers asking for support of the Grange policy.
a) Address your lawmakers by “the Honorable” followed by his/her name, and begin the letter “Dear Senator,” or “Dear Representative”
b) Be brief, specific and courteous. Keep your letter or email to one page, one subject and state the purpose in the opening paragraph, particularly the action you would like to see taken (please cosponsor HR 241; please vote against SB 99). If your letter pertains to a specific bill, identify it accordingly. Always be courteous.
c) Ask for a reply. Always close your communication by asking for a written response stating the lawmaker’s position on the issue.
d) Email tips: when emailing, be sure to include your address so your lawmaker knows you are a constituent.
If you receive an alert—which contains a ready-to-go email message, try to customize the first sentence or two. It makes the email message a little more personal and can make a big difference in how it is received.
In today’s world of the internet and digital communication, a hand written or typed letter is a really unique and will attract extra attention in most offices because they now that you went to a special effort t communicate with them.
Phone calls are a great way to communicate your concerns to lawmakers. You will probably speak with an aide or intern rather than the lawmaker, but your call is still very important.
a) Identify yourself as a constituent. Being a constituent gives you power, so always be sure to identify yourself as a constituent.
b) Be brief and clear. Always limit your call to one subject. Be brief and specific. State why you are calling, give a bill number if possible, and the action you would like the lawmaker to take on the issue.
Sometimes the person taking your call can tell you how the Member plans to vote on an issue. If you get intelligence like that, reporting it back is extremely helpful. For organized call-in days, there is usually a brief “I called” report you can submit.
By far the most effective way to articulate your views to your elected official and positively affect the outcome of legislation is to speak with your lawmaker face-to-face.
To schedule an appointment, call your lawmaker’s office, ask for the “scheduler” and set up a meeting. Always identify yourself as a constituent. Oftentimes, the legislator cannot meet you but her/his staff can; meetings with staff are just as important. Staff in congressional offices are very busy. If you leave a voice mail for the scheduler and s/he does not return your call, try again in about two days. Polite persistence pays off.
When meeting with a lawmaker or staffer, always come prepared with a specific request for action—an “ask”—for the lawmaker to take. After clearly stating your position, ask for the lawmaker’s position on the issue or legislation. Politely press for a commitment. If the legislator is not able to state her/his position at the time of the meeting, ask when you should follow up (usually within a week of the visit) and how (by phone or email) to inquire about any action taken. Be sure to discuss how the legislation will directly affect you. Personal stories carry weight. If possible, demonstrate widespread support by mentioning others in the community—organizations, officials, etc.—who agree with your position.
Always be polite, positive, and professional. Start off your meeting by thanking the lawmaker or staffer for meeting with you and for any past helpful support. Close the meeting with a “thank you” as well, regardless of whether or not the lawmaker will do what you want her/him to do. Do not refer to any lawmakers by their last names only—it should always be Senator xxx or Congresswoman xxxx. It’s a good idea to bring written material—an information packet—to give to the lawmaker or staffer.
Follow-up your visit with a personal letter thanking the lawmaker or staffer for their time. This is another opportunity to make your point. If the congressional office made a commitment, remind them of this in your letter.
Keep conservation issues alive in your local newspapers, TV and radio stations and magazines. The media play a powerful role in our advocacy efforts as they help shape public opinion on policies, such as protecting endangered species, restoring the Delta, or supporting sustainable agriculture. You can also further your advocacy efforts by calling in to local talk shows or writing letters to the editor. Not only will you raise an important issue in your community, you’ll also grab the attention of elected officials, who pay close attention to opinions voiced in newspapers, radio and TV in their district or state.
Letters to the Editor provide you with an opportunity to comment on articles, editorials and advertisements appearing in local newspapers. Letters to the Editor are widely read by lawmakers and community leaders to gauge public sentiment about current issues in the news.
To learn move about LEAP, click on the links below.