Legislators depend on information provided by knowledgeable sources in various fields.In order to get their job done, legislators rely heavily on a broad scope of input from many different sources. They receive a great deal of technical information from their staff, state agency personnel and professional lobbyists; yet, much of what they actually decide depends on the views, interests and preferences of the citizens who elected them.

Parents can be most effective in providing information by getting to know legislators from their own district on a personal basis.

Ideally, before a legislative session begins in Madison, parent groups should meet with their senator(s) and representative(s) to discuss school legislation. These personal contacts can help establish the school district in each legislator's district as his or her key source for information. As the session proceeds, continue to make these personal contacts as a group or individually. They are vital in establishing a relationship.

Although this personal contact is key to the establishment of credibility with legislators, communication cannot stop there. Legislators do read their mail, they do consider personal communication, and they do review committee testimony. In other words, stay informed and stay active on education issues in the legislature.

In addition to being informed, there are some other universal principles, which apply to working with legislators. To make your actions count and to be heard on issues of concern to you, the following communication tips are suggested.

KNOW YOUR ISSUES

Before meeting with public officials to support or oppose a position, do your homework. Your knowledge of issues and the legislative process produces credibility with your legislator; your credibility dictates your legislator's level of response.

FOCUS ON YOUR LEGISLATORS

Rather than using time and energy to contact all the legislators, concentrate on communicating with your local representatives and senator.

MAINTAIN CONTACT

Contact public officials throughout the year. Invite them to be guests at meetings or workshops. Make yourself a contact point for your legislator within your district. Keep in touch through common interests, issues, or activities.

BE DIRECT

When making special requests, be direct and honest in your approach and get specific commitments from your legislator. Do a follow-up and hold your legislator accountable for his or her commitments.

BE THOUGHTFUL

It is especially important to commend actions legislators take. Public officials receive dozens of letters requesting actions, and sincerely appreciate a thank you.

MAINTAIN ONE POSITION

Never abandon officials by changing your policy or position after they have publicly state a position you have urged them to take.

LEARN TO EVALUATE AND WEIGH ISSUES

Many bills, which are brought to the floor are never intended to become law. Consider issues, which are worth lobbying and discard the others.

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CONTACTING YOUR LEGISLATOR
Telephone or E-Mail

Often the most effective way of contacting a legislator is through a simple telephone call. Be sure you have all background material in your hand, your message ready for presentation.

There are a few basic ways of communicating by telephone:

1. Legislative toll-free hotline: 1-800-362-9472

2.Legislator's Madison office (this number can be found at

http://www.legis.state.wi.us

or on the WACMA Website

http://www.WACMA.org/test/Cyberlobby.htm

Telephoning his/her Madison Office

The secretary or aide will generally answer the phone. Rarely will you be able to immediately speak to your legislator. Expect to leave a message along with your name, address, and phone. Treat your initial contact person with respect. They are a direct pipeline to your legislator and aides are themselves often experts on particular issues so you should feel free to talk to them as well.

1. When speaking to your legislator, use many of the same techniques used in letter writing:
2. Identify yourself as a parent of a child in the West Allis School District
3. Be brief.
4. State your purpose at the outset.
5. End with a request for action and state that a reply would be appreciated. Try to get a commitment if possible.

E-Mailing

You may obtain a legislators e-mail address by linking to them through the official website of the legislature at http://www.legis.state.wi.us or on the WACMA Website

http://www.WACMA.org/test/Cyberlobby.htm

Again, when contacting your legislator via email, use many of the same techniques used in letter writing and telephoning:

1. Identify yourself as a parent of a child in the West Allis School District
2. Be brief.
3. State your purpose at the outset.
4. End with a request for action and state that a reply would be appreciated. Try to get a commitment if possible.
5. In addition, don't forget to include your contact information at the end of your e-mail. This includes your name, address, and phone number and e-mail address.

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CONTACTING YOUR LEGISLATOR
Traditional Mail

Letter writing is a very productive way of communicating your views to your legislators. Your legislators welcome letters from their district, as it is an effective way to learn the opinions of their constituents. It is more meaningful to write a personal letter. Stereotyped form letters are easily recognized as coming from the same source and they have little impact. Other things that might help make your letters effective:

CONCENTRATE ON YOUR OWN DELEGATION

The representatives of your district cast your votes and want to know your views. However, some writers will undertake to contact all members of the Assembly and Senate. Use your efforts to contact your own representatives. A copy should be sent to the chair of the legislative committee where the bill is pending so your position will be included in the committee's briefing materials. Copies also should be sent to the bill's author, committee members, and your association.

TIMING

The timing of your letter is very important. When sending letters, especially during session, your communication needs to arrive at an appropriate time and while there is still time to take effective action. WACMA WILL TRY TO track action on bills on this Website, which should help you determine appropriate timing of your communication.

STICK TO ONE SUBJECT

Limit your letter to one subject. Otherwise, you decrease the force of your argument and complicate your legislator's effort to act upon it. Because legislative staffers file letters by bill number, each letter you write should cover only one bill and should reference the bill number in a separate line.

BE BRIEF

A letter that is more than two pages long may possibly be saved for another day. One page is best. If you need to say more or provide additional information, do so on an enclosure.

ATTITUDE

Your attitude is important. A legislator is like anyone else. A polite, positive sounding letter is more impressive.

ADDRESSING YOUR LEGISLATOR

For quickest delivery, use the following when mailing information to your Senator and Representative:

Senators:

Senator_________________
PO Box 7882
Madison, WI  53707-7882

Representatives:

Last names beginning A-L:

Representative __________________
PO Box 8952
Madison, WI  53708-8952

Last names beginning M-Z:
Representative __________________
PO Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708-8953

INFORMAL:

For an informal approach, address your letter on personal or business letterhead as follows:

Senator or Representative Jane Doe
PO Box (see above)
Madison, WI(zip see above)

Dear Representative (or Senator) Doe:

FORMAL:

When writing a formal letter, remember to use the full name and proper address. For example:

The Honorable Jane Doe
Wisconsin State Senator or Representative
PO Box (see above)
Madison, WI(zip see above)

Dear Representative (or Senator) Doe:

CONGRESSIONAL:

When writing to the Congressional delegation:

The Honorable Jane Doe
United States Senator (or Representative) Doe
Senate (or House) Office Building
Washington, DC 20510 (Senate) or 20515 (House)

Dear Senator or (Congressman) Doe:

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LAYOUT OF CORRESPONDENCE

FIRST PARAGRAPH

In the first paragraph, identify the issue and include the bill number and title. State your support or opposition to the bill or issue.

SECOND PARAGRAPH

In the second paragraph, state your position clearly and precisely. Outline arguments supporting your position. Refer to enclosures, if any. If you are in opposition to the proposal, outline an alternative.

THIRD PARAGRAPH

In the third paragraph, summarize your point of view. Ask your legislator clearly what you want him/her to do, such as vote for the issue, hold a hearing or sponsor the bill.

CLOSING PARAGRAPH

In the closing paragraph, ask for a response from your legislator. As the legislator how he/she will vote on the measure. As a constituent, you are entitled to know. Always sign your name in ink, and make certain your name, address and telephone number are clearly displayed on the letter.

THANK YOU

Remember to thank your legislator after his/her response is received.

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SAMPLE LETTER

Date

Representative (Senator) Jane Doe
Chair, Assembly (Senate) Education Committee
PO Box ________
Madison, WI ________

RE: AB 666

Dear Representative (Senator) Doe:

I have just learned that the Assembly Education Committee will be consideringSB 015, which permits the creation of a Joint Survey Committee on State Mandates and requires funding of state mandates.

I support this piece of legislation because it would eliminate the need for my school board to rob "Peter to pay Paul" with our West Allis school budget. I believe all the kids in our district deserve an excellent education. My daughter has less opportunities in the Arts at her high school than I did as a young person because our district has no money and is forced to spend in on targeted populations without support from the state.

I encourage you to oppose SB 015

Will you please inform me as to your position on this issue?  Thank you for giving this issue your thoughtful consideration.

Sincerely,

John Smith
West Allis West Milwaukee School District
1234 State Street
West Allis, WI 53XXX
(414)123-4567