How to Be Heard

Your phone holds power.37 Making a call is a high-impact way to let an elected leader know that you’re paying attention to an issue, a bill, or their stance on a policy in order to help move forward structural change. Making a call is easy, doesn’t take a lot of time, and can be very effective, especially at the state and local levels, where offices are less likely to receive a lot of calls. For example, even just a few calls at the state level can make a big impact.

Here’s some advice from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a person who is often on the receiving end of those calls: “It helps that I get thousands of phone calls every day on an issue because then when I’m giving a speech on the Senate floor, I can talk about the passion of my constituents and I can talk about letters that people have actually written me and share those stories to millions of people. So, you are projecting your voice when you make those calls regardless of who you’re calling.”

Here are some quick tips to make your phone calls the most effective:

image Go on the Internet and find your legislators and their office phone numbers.

You can always call more than one legislator on any single issue. In fact, please do! You have two U.S. senators who represent you and one member of the U.S. House. So you can call one or all three. Don’t forget that you also have state legislators and city council members who represent you that you can call to share your views on legislation. Every call counts, so you don’t have to call them all. But if you get in a groove, keep dialing!

image Be patient.

Sometimes when an issue is in the news, congressional offices will receive a high volume of phone calls. People will have trouble getting through or will even find full mailboxes. This is a good sign! People are making important calls and our numbers are being counted, so keep calling! Also, remember that members of Congress often have multiple offices around the state where you can call, too, if their Washington, DC, number is busy.

image Know that your call counts. Literally.

Elected leaders usually keep tallies of how many calls come into their office on each issue area, so be sure to call. You’ll be counted even if you just leave a message. And, yes, legislators who you agree with appreciate positive calls, too—they use the high tally of supportive calls to lobby other leaders.

image Plan what you’re going to say before you pick up the phone.

Be brief. Jot down your three lines: Hi, I’m [name] from [place] and I would appreciate it if [legislator name] would vote [YES/NO] on [bill name or issue area]. If you have a personal experience with the issue, let them know in a succinct way.

image If you’re calling about a specific piece of legislation, name it specifically.

Try to find out the bill number and/or the name so you can mention it in your message, along with how you want the legislator to vote, yes or no.

image Ask for a response if you want one.

Be sure to give your phone number, email, or mailing address where you can be reached so they can give you that response.

image Be polite.

Thank them for their time. Building a relationship with the staff and/or lawmaker can be important to pushing additional policies forward in the future.

Bonus tip: Gather a few friends for coffee, cookies, or a favorite food and make some calls together. Have everyone bring a cell phone. Write the script; for example: Hi, I’m [name] from [place] and I would appreciate it if [legislator name] votes [YES/NO] on [bill name or issue area]. Share the script. And let the calling party begin. In one night you and your gathering could call the entire U.S. or state senate that way!