Resources on Advoca Ɵ ng Most people fi nd themselves in Ɵ midated when it comes to talking to elected o ffi cials. It’s hard to remember they work for you and can help when issues need a bigger stage. We’ve compiled some Ɵ ps and resources that may help you get started! Let’s start with fi nding out who represents you. The Louisiana Legislature hosts a simple web form to help you fi nd this informa Ɵ on. (h Ʃ ps://legis.la.gov/legis/FindMyLegislators.aspx) All you have to do is type in your mailing address and the form does this rest. Your state and federal representa Ɵ ves should be provided to you when using the tool. Click on each name to gain access to contact informa Ɵ on, biographies, sta ff names and more. B Now, think about what your want to say. This is your story to share. No one knows it be Ʃ er than you do. Collect your thoughts so you don’t become ra Ʃ led. This will also help you to be more concise. You’ll only have some much Ɵ me to make your point and ask for your legislators support or ac Ɵ on. Think through any ques Ɵ ons that may get asked of you. Understand it’s okay not to have answers, but it’s not okay to make them up. C
It goes without saying that you want to be polite and respec ƞ ul. Lore abounds in legisla Ɵ ve arenas of the cons Ɵ tuents who are rude, ugly and threatening. Sta ff will very quickly lose your request if they feel you’ve been unnecessarily discourteous. Follow up. Send a thank you note. Request feedback. Leave your contact informa Ɵ on. Share suppor Ɵ ng documents. Determine if and when an addi Ɵ onal conversa Ɵ on should happen. Where’s your comfort level in HOW you advocate? Go Online
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Send an Email If you have a direct email address to use, this is a great, fast way to share your comments with a speci fi c person. Make a Call Reserve this for urgent needs such as a pending vote. O Ō en the person taking the call is simply keeping a tally. Write a Le Ʃ er If you have a lot of Ɵ me, wri Ɵ ng an old fashioned le Ʃ er is e ff ec Ɵ ve. Just know, delivery is hit-or-miss in today’s world.
The QR code to the le Ō takes you to the LSMS Poli Ɵ cal
Portal for Pa Ɵ ents. This is a great place to start on issues important to Louisiana physicians. U Ɵ lize the easy to use prompts to help you communicate with your legislators. And then… Almost all legislators have online tools to connect you to them. It should be accessible from the informa Ɵ on you received in Step 1 above. You will be limited to the website’s space restric Ɵ ons.
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