Our policy makers want and need to hear from you about issues you consider important. They also know their political future lies in your hands!
Find your legislative representatives contact information, by clicking here and then entering your zip code in the lower left hand corner.
Send a letter or Email to your Legislator…Letters and e-mails allow you to state your position without someone interrupting the conversation. It also lets the policy maker know that you care about the issue and that you intend to watch his/her decisions regarding that issue carefully.
Be specific, brief, and courteous: keep the correspondence to one page or less, and concentrate on only one issue. State the purpose in the first paragraph, and identify that you are advocating for Children First Foundation, Inc. If you are writing concerning a specific bill, identify the number of the bill. Explain the importance of the legislation to you, your community and our state. Always remember to mention that you are a registered voter in their district, and always be courteous, even if you do not agree with the policy maker's position on the issue.
Request a reply: Always close the e-mail or letter by asking for a response in writing from the policy maker. You are taking time to address them concerning this issue, and since they are representing you, they should take time to write you back.
You may also send letters via fax when a decision on a vote is forthcoming. Most policy makers have published fax numbers on the web site, so faxing has become a popular method of communication. It is a quick and easy way to get a letter to them, for the cost of a phone call. Be sure you include your fax number on your correspondence, as well, in case they decide to return a response via fax. (Faxes do not work as effectively for communicating with members of Congress. Heightened security at the Capitol in Washington D.C. has made delivery of faxes slower.)
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Addressing a letter to a Senator:
Honorable (full name)
___ (room #) Alabama Statehouse
11 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
Dear Senator (last name):
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Addressing a letter to a Representative:
Honorable (full name)
___ (room #) Alabama Statehouse
11 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
Dear Representative (last name):
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Make a phone call to your Legislator…There are times that you need to get in touch with a lawmaker immediately and they need to identify with a human voice, and you don't have time to write a letter or even draft an e-mail. That's a good time to use the most effective and common method of communicating with your Legislator—make a phone call.
Be clear and brief: begin the call by making it clear that you are a constituent of theirs, “My name is Jane Doe, and I live in Dothan” Limit the call to one issue and be specific about why you are calling, what bill you are calling about (stating the bill number, if possible), what action you would like your Legislator to take on this issue, and ask where your Legislator stands on the issue. “My name is Jane Doe, and I live in Dothan. I'm calling about House bill number 123, a proposal to increase the reimbursement payments to foster parents. Alabama's per day reimbursement is $12 below the national average and is insufficient to adequately care for the needs of a child. I would like to see Representative Jones support bill 123. Can you please tell me where he stands on this issue?”
Request a Response: Regardless of your Legislator's stand on an issue, never use abusive language or threaten them in any way. If the policymaker does not support the bill you are calling about, kindly let them know that you are disappointed in their position. If you are speaking to someone in the office and they do not know the lawmakers position on a specific issue, be sure to ask them for a written response once they have had an opportunity to look at the issue more closely. “I'm disappointed to hear that Representative Jones does not support House bill 123. Increasing reimbursements to foster care families is critical in order for children to be properly cared for, but I appreciate your time.”
To make a phone call, contact the following numbers:
During the session, Representatives may be contacted by calling (334) 242-7600; Senators may be contacted by calling (334) 242-7800.
Meet Face-to-Face...The most effective means, by far, to express your view on an issue to your Legislator, and to positively affect outcome of policy debates and of legislation is to speak with Legislators face-to-face.
Schedule an appointment: if the Legislator is not available on the date you schedule the meeting (last-minute conflicts arise often with Legislator's scheduling), meet with the person on his or her staff who handles the issue you came to discuss. These meetings, even with staff members, are very effective.
During the meeting: be sure you discuss how the legislation you are concerned about will affect you, your family, your friends, and your community. Personal stories make a powerful impact and are proven to achieve results. Always remember to be polite. It is a good idea to follow-up after the visit with a personal thank you letter to the Legislator or staff member for their time. Also, offer your assistance or expertise on this matter in the future.
If the Legislature is in session and your Senator/Representatives are in the Chamber, you may request that a message be sent to him/her through the receptionist. The House Chamber is on the 5th floor; the Senate Chamber is on the 7th floor.
One of the best and most convenient ways of visiting with Legislators is in their hometown offices, when schedules and timing may not be quite as hectic as during the Legislative session in Montgomery.
