Citizen Action Guide
Oregon Environmental Council's guide to communicating with your state legislators.
The Oregon Environmental Council connects the personal to policy. That is, we serve as a resource for individuals to make personal choices that protect and improve their quality of life, and we are a catalyst for broader changes and state-wide policies that protect us all.
Here are some effective tools to help you make your voice heard in Salem. Thanks for your involvement in helping us safeguard what we love about Oregon.
Get OEC Action Alerts
Sign up for our action alerts— these occasional e-alerts provide you with opportunities to influence your legislators or other elected officials on important environmental policies.
Write a 'Letter to the Editor' at a Local Newspaper
Writing a letter to the editor is a great way to share your vision for a healthier environment and to educate readers about the importance of environmental issues. You can congratulate someone for doing the right thing or point out the flaws in an ill-conceived public policy. A well-written, timely letter can help shift public opinion and influence policy.
Developing Your Message
- Approach one issue at a time.
- Develop a basic message for your issue that is clear and concise.
- Personalize with your own experience.
- State clearly the result you seek.
- Understand the arguments for and against your issue.
Sending Your Message
You can communicate:
Effective Delivery of Your Message
If you want to call your senator or representative…
- Identify yourself as a constituent and give your name and address.
- Define the issue with a specific bill number and name.
- Acknowledge the legislator (or staff person) by asking about their position and requesting their vote in your favor.
- Show respect by listening to them and thanking them.
If you want to write or email your senator or representative…
- Identify yourself as a constituent and give your name and address.
- Define the issue with a specific bill number and name.
- Request a specific action from your legislator.
- In e-mail correspondence, use the following example format for your subject line: “A Constituent Urges You to Vote ‘Yes’ on House Bill XXXX.”
If you want to meet with your senator or representative…
- Arrange a meeting in advance, providing the names of attendees and the topic.
- Be courteous: arrive on time, dress professionally, and come informed on the issue.
- Organize your presentation by introducing yourself, summarizing the issue, and stating your basic message for one issue only.
- Provide a fact sheet on the issue and your contact information.
- Request a specific action from your legislator—ask for their position!
- Answer questions as well as you can and offer to get back to them when you don’t have an answer.
If you want to testify in front of a committee…
- Sign your name to the sign-in sheet at the door.
- You may testify along with one or two other people if you wish.
- Bring 25 copies of your testimony and hand them to the secretary before you begin.
- Remember one courtesy—address the committee through the committee chair. Begin your remarks with “Madame Chair, Members of the Committee …” and respond to questions with “Chairman Jones, Representative Smith…”
- If your representative or senator serves on the committee, a courtesy call to his or her staff in advance is appreciated.
Contacting Your Legislators
Who Represents You?
Type in your address at www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/findset.htm to find out who represents you in Salem and in Congress, or call your county elections office. The telephone number is listed in the blue pages of the phone book.
By Mail
While in session, write to Senator or Representative __________, State Capitol, Salem, OR 97310. When out of session, use the interim address found on their websites or from your county elections office.
By Phone
Using the Legislative Information and Citizen Access Line, you may leave a voice mail message for one or more legislators or speak to an operator about other requests (like your legislator’s direct number, information concerning a bill’s status, etc.):
(800) 332-2313: In-state calls during legislative session only
(503) 986-1187: Calls from Salem or from out-of-state
(503) 986-1467: TDD access both in and out of the state
Internet Access
For e-mail addresses of legislators and a wealth of information on bills, laws and legislative proceedings, visit the Oregon Legislature website: www.leg.state.or.us
Need More Information?
Download a printer-friendly copy of this guide. [PDF]
