Last
week, our nation witnessed the peaceful transfer of power which is a hallmark
of our democracy. We have the opportunity to elect the people who represent us
and who make laws on our behalf at the federal, state, and local levels, and we
have to participate in the process in order to have influence.
If
we want laws that protect animals from cruelty and abuse, animal advocates need
to participate. Over the next few weeks, you can have a front-row seat for
representative government in action, and help animals in your state by
communicating directly with lawmakers at your state capitol. Thousands of
citizens across the country who care about animal protection will participate
in our 2009
Humane Lobby Day, and will ask their state legislators to support bills dealing
with puppy mills, pets in disasters, animal fighting, factory farming, fur
labeling, and other important policy reforms.
Starting
in February, Humane Lobby Day will take place in 41 states where the
legislatures are currently in session. So click here to find your
state on the list, and RSVP to join me and other animal advocates for this
important gathering. With the force of constituents visiting their state
capitols to push for the passage of humane laws, together we can put animal
protection on the legislative agenda across the nation.
And
since Humane Lobby Day is just around the corner, I thought I’d dust off some tips
I’ve offered in the past on how to be an effective citizen lobbyist for
animals. You don’t have to be a hired-gun, smooth-talking lobbyist or know all
the answers in order to participate in the legislative process. You are a constituent
who cares about the issue, and your elected officials care what you think!
Whether you’re making a phone call or visiting them in person to make your
case, there are a few basic rules that apply. Here are some tips to keep handy.
Identify
yourself.
Whether you’re calling to register your opinion, or visiting a legislative
office in person, start by telling them who you are. Make sure to tell them
where you live so they know you’re a constituent. (Typically, you only contact
your own legislators, unless it’s a special circumstance such as a committee
chairman.) And let them know if you represent an organization or other
stakeholders—such as teachers, sheriffs, or veterinarians—who have an interest
in the issue.
Be
polite and professional. This is common sense, but always worth repeating.
You can state your views firmly and forcefully without being hostile or
argumentative. Always be friendly and courteous, even if the legislator
disagrees with your position. Don’t interrupt or scream out at legislative
hearings. And while it’s important to be professional, it’s also important to
look professional—legislators and their staff are more likely to be persuaded
by people in business attire than people wearing cut-off jeans and flip-flops.
State
a clear and concise objective. Stay focused on the purpose of your
phone call or meeting, and don’t wander off in too many directions. Let them
know up front what you are asking them to do, and refer to bills by their
numbers and names—such as, “I want Representative Smith to co-sponsor H.R.
503, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act.” Be sure to explain any jargon
that might be unclear, such as “puppy
mills,” “canned hunts,” “pound seizure,” or “Class B dealers.” It’s okay to
bring up more than one bill in a meeting, but you may want to limit your list
to two or three bills that are most important to you.
Explain
why this issue is important to you personally. Lawmakers are
interested in data and statistics, but they’re much more interested in how an
issue affects their constituents personally. If you have a story to tell, it’s
much more compelling than charts and graphs. If you’re talking about dogfighting, you might be
an animal control or animal shelter worker who has seen injured pit bulls, or a
police officer who has seen the connection that dogfighters have to drugs and
violence in your community. If you’re advocating for antifreeze legislation, it
might be because you had a dog who was poisoned by drinking the sweet-tasting
liquid. If you’re a teacher or parent, you might comment on the impact animal
cruelty has on children. Tell your story.
Don’t
use form letters.
Legislators want to know what you have to say, not just that you can cut and
paste. They know when it’s a form letter, period. It’s okay to use talking
points and language from advocacy groups like The HSUS and HSLF when you craft
your letters, but it’s best to put them into your own words.
Use
the web and email effectively. Visit legislators’ official web sites
before your meetings, so you can learn in advance about their background,
biographical information, positions on issues, and even their pets. If you send
email through advocacy web sites such as humanesociety.org and hslf.org, remember to
edit that part of the letter that allows you to put it into your own words. You
can also send email and register comments through the legislator’s own web
site. Phone calls are usually taken more seriously by legislative offices, so
if you do send email, you can still follow up with a phone call, too.
Never
lie or mislead.
The truth for animals is harsh enough, and you don’t need to embellish. If you
make up facts and figures or stretch the truth, it will always come back to
haunt you. Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know the answer to a question, and
offer to look it up for them later or put them in touch with someone who might
know. You’re not expected to be an expert on every issue—you are a citizen who
cares and has an opinion.
Work
with legislative staff. Don’t be offended if you can’t get the legislator
on the phone or get a meeting with him or her personally. Lawmakers rely on
their staff to meet with constituents, draft legislation, learn the issues, and
make policy recommendations. The staff will have more time to get to know you
and your issues, and they are your gateway to the elected officials. Get to
know the staff and develop relationships, so they will begin to view you as a
source of reliable information on animal issues in your community.
Be
prepared to compromise. Legislators may not do what you want 100 percent of
the time, but they can still help advance the cause of animal protection. If
you discuss three bills and they agree to support two, you’ve made progress. Don’t
expect complete orthodoxy. A legislator might agree to vote for a bill when it
comes to the floor, but doesn’t want to be a co-sponsor for political reasons—a
vote in the hand is better than two co-sponsorships in the bush.
Listen
to elected officials’ comments and questions. Don’t expect to give a monologue
on animal protection. Let them react to the issues you raise, and have a
conversation. Their comments and questions will give you cues on how to frame
your arguments and what additional information might be useful. If they ask
questions or need more information, it gives you an opportunity to follow up
with them after your meeting.
Thank
someone who was helpful. Always thank a staff member who took the time to
meet with you, and follow up with any additional information that’s needed. And
if a legislator does what you’ve requested, such as co-sponsor or vote for a
bill, be sure to thank him or her for taking that action. Positive
reinforcement is the most effective way to develop a good relationship for
future issues.
