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On How to advocate Effectively

Contrary to the perception of many people, advocating effectively is not for experts only. Advocating can be easy, stimulating, and fun. All you need to be an effective advocate are three things:

1.  A Few Basic Facts What is the substance of the legislation you are proposing or opposing? Why is it so important? What will happen if it passes (or does not pass)? How much will it cost? The Building Bridges Campaign will provide you with facts, figures and current information on the issues affecting the mental health budget and other issues such as health care reform in Alaska.

2.  Belief in the Cause of Improved Mental Health Services

If you have conviction, dedication to the unmet needs of the mentally ill and emotionally disturbed, and determination to see the needs met no matter how long it takes, then you will be an effective advocate.

3.  A Little Common Sense

Whether advocating face-to-face, by letter, by telephone or through a Public Opinion Message (POM), an effective advocate follows these common sense principles:

DO - Be brief; be prepared; be clear; be honest; be accurate; be persuasive; be timely; be persistent; and be grateful.

DO NOT - Be argumentative; promise rewards; be demanding; knock the opposition; or bluff.

GOLDEN RULES

(For everyone who works with public officials)

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Have you ever presented your case, or your cause, to a public official? If so, you will recognize these universal principles that apply across the board for everyone who works with legislators, commissioners, city councilmen and other public officials.

Don't underestimate public officials.

Don't look down on government and policies.

Be understanding.

Be friendly.

Be informed.

Be reasonable.

Be thoughtful.

Don't blame public officials for "failing" to do what you wanted.

Don't be a busybody.

Be cooperative.

Be realistic.

Be open and candid.

Be practical.

Be a good opponent.

Never break a promise.

Don't change horses in the middle of the stream.

Learn to evaluate and weigh issues.

Public Speaking and Testimony

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Public Speaking, at a hearing for example, is an opportunity to influence many people at once. Remember reading a prepared statement is much better than forgetting your ideas because you tried to be spontaneous.

The Bridges group will arrive at a consensus as to which members will act as spokespeople. Sometimes it's appropriate for more than one to speak, but others should be enlisted as backup speakers. This comes in particularly handy at meetings where each participant is allowed only one turn, and your position needs to be clarified later in the proceedings. Never sign up to speak at a public hearing or conference without one alternate, and preferably two in reserve.

Bridges will rehearse testimony before meeting with the Legislative Committees.

Like your letters, or one-to-one discussions, your statements should be courteous, brief and to the point:

Remember, written testimony will also be collected and distributed. So please prepare your testimony in advance.

Telephone Calls to Legislators

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Telephone calls can be an effective means of communicating with legislators if the calls:

  1. convey a meaningful message with helpful information, and
  2. are made in a timely manner.

Calls from constituents are the most effective; 'Telephone blitzes" are the least effective. Other calls are somewhere in between.

It is important to remember that, during the legislative session, legislators usually are attending committee meetings, conducting other legislative business such as meeting with staff, drafting legislation, preparing for bill presentations, lobbying other legislators, or participating in formal legislative work in the Senate or House chambers. Therefore, it is likely that a legislator will not be available to take your call. If that is the case, do not hesitate to leave your message with a legislative assistant or other staff. Trust the staff to get your message to the legislator.

If you request a return call, you can usually be assured of getting one if you are a constituent. Others may get a return call. Remember that there simply are not enough hours in the day for legislators to return all calls, particularly if there is an organized blitz underway. Fortunately, most people are comfortable leaving their message with staff.

It is important to make your call brief and to the point. Always be polite.

Your call will have the most impact when received within a week of the bill's being heard in committee. If the legislator serves on the committee hearing the bill, that is a bonus! Another appropriate time, but usually not nearly as effective, is shortly before the bill is heard by the entire legislative body.

Legislators also receive many calls from people requesting assistance for a problem with the bureaucracy. These calls are handled in the same manner in which letters requesting assistance are handled.

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