As I told you earlier this week, Jen went to the Florida state capitol on Wednesday to lobby for Humane Lobby Day.
citizen lobbyist!
I want to share with you a few tips she learned about being an effective citizen lobbyist.
If you call or visit your elected official, don’t be disappointed if you don’t actually speak to him or her. Senator Gaetz was on the floor voting on a bill, so Jen and her group talked to a legislative assistant. Speaking politely to an assistant is just as effective, and sometimes it’s even more effective! These are smart men and women whose job it is to stay up-to-date on the issues so they can keep the representative or senator informed.
Know your stuff! Then Jen’s group went to see their representative, Marti Coley. She is the Speaker Pro Tempore of the House. The first thing the speaker brought up was an email that she’d received from a group called Fix Florida that trashed HSUS. Jen explained to her why that email was misguided and not telling the whole truth. Then the group discussed the issues.
Follow up with a thank you email and remind your representative of your position on the issues. Elected officials are busy people. By sending a follow-up email, Jen shows that she’s actually interested in these bills and will be keeping up with how her elected officials vote.
Don’t lie or make stuff up. If you’re asked a question you don’t know the answer to, it’s acceptable to say you don’t know. Later you can find an answer and get back to them. That’s a great way to make another contact and reinforce your stance without looking like you’re hounding the representative.
One last point to make. Allies come from both sides of the aisle. Don’t assume that your representative’s party affiliation determines how they will vote on a bill. Ultimately, their job is to represent their constituents. An elected official who doesn’t remember that won’t stay in office very long.
Malachi is about to write his elected officials.
I wish I could relate to you how much power you truly have to sway your elected officials, if only you would take the time to call or write them and let your voice be heard. Sure, there are special interest lobbyists who have their ear. But the voice of an educated citizen goes a long way with elected officials. Make sure your voice is one that is heard.
That’s a great reminder, Rumpy.
Posted by LifeOfBun | April 13, 2013, 7:48 AMThanks! woo woo woo!
Posted by rumpydog | April 13, 2013, 8:02 AMThese tips are very useful for humans when they get an important step ahead for anilams or what they’d like to do might be not successful! Well…to be honest, if you always keep these tips in mind, your negotiation will be effective!
Thank you very much Rumpy! Have a great week end! 🙂
Posted by eripanwkevin | April 13, 2013, 8:23 AMSuperb Information and Tips. WAY to GO!!!
Posted by Frankie Furter and Ernie | April 13, 2013, 8:29 AMI hope you let Malachi finish the writing.
Posted by YellowCable | April 13, 2013, 8:40 AMThat cat has lots to say!
Posted by rumpydog | April 13, 2013, 8:43 AMI have heard of butt dialing on a cell phone but it looks to me like Malachi is going to be butt typing 🙂 Nice post btw.
Posted by Emmadog | April 13, 2013, 9:42 AMvery good reminders. it’s ‘regular’ citizens who do change the world, a little a time. well done Jen!
Posted by Geraldine | April 13, 2013, 10:56 AMThanks!!!
Posted by rumpydog | April 13, 2013, 12:36 PMThis morning there was news about inhumane treatment of pigs and chickens..very sad…
Posted by Roberta | April 13, 2013, 12:29 PMIt’s always there, unfortunately.
Posted by rumpydog | April 13, 2013, 12:36 PMWe are hugely impressed! What wonderful insight for us.
Big kudos to Jen!!!
Posted by Glogirly and Katie | April 13, 2013, 3:29 PMAnybody can do it Katie- even Waffles Too!
Posted by rumpydog | April 13, 2013, 3:37 PMSounds like your mom did some really good stuff! YAY for her!!!
Purrs,
Nissy
Posted by orientallily001 | April 13, 2013, 4:02 PMNothing special… anybody can do it!
Posted by rumpydog | April 13, 2013, 4:41 PMThis is an EXCELLENT always timely blog Rumpy and thank you for it. Excellent!
Posted by Katie Isabella | April 13, 2013, 6:30 PMI love your wallpaper here. You look so adorable.
Posted by Katie Isabella | April 13, 2013, 6:30 PMThanks for this info, Rumpy…and good for Jen for all she did!
Posted by theislandcats | April 13, 2013, 8:21 PMThanks Rump.
Posted by BJ Pup | April 13, 2013, 8:54 PMVery useful tips Rumpy, but tell Malachi if he want to write to his elected officials he has to get his butt off the keyboard!
Posted by gracie2801 | April 13, 2013, 9:27 PMI’ve never been a politician person so this is the first time I’ve heard of a lobbyist.
Thank you for the useful tips. I think the part where you talked to representative was pretty good. We sometimes underestimate the people who assist the politicians.
Posted by haopee2 | April 13, 2013, 10:27 PMI’m passing the baton to you and hope you will enjoy joining the world of Epically Awesome Award winners. http://teepee12.com/2013/04/14/epically-awesome-award-of-epic-awesomeness-twice/ and you’re IT!
Posted by Teepee12 | April 14, 2013, 12:21 AMGreat ideas Jen…Are you going to post about which issues you discussed? I’d like to read that and what the reps responses were
Posted by Gizmo | April 14, 2013, 5:05 AMValuable information and a huge bless you, Jen for all you do for our beloved fury children. Paulette
Posted by The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap | April 14, 2013, 9:43 AMWhat an excellent post with superior tips.
Posted by Valentine Logar | April 15, 2013, 5:13 AMGosh I watched the first season of House of Cards. Did you see that? Talk about a show made to make you feel insignificant.
Posted by Anne Schilde | May 18, 2013, 2:48 AM