Clackamas Community College Advocacy

Do:

• Research facts and attempt to understand the issues and political situation prior to contacting your legislators.
• Prepare an outline of your key points before you contact legislators on the phone or in person.
• Prior to a group meeting with a legislator, select a leader who will assign each participant a different discussion point.
• Be sure to explain how a bill will affect the college, students, teachers or the community.
• Pay careful attention to verbal and nonverbal reactions when contacting in person.
• If the legislator expresses an interest, make supporting documents, issue fact sheets or other reference materials available. Most often legislators like to receive these by email as the documents are stored in their computer rather than in paper files.
• Offer to provide additional information.
• Always leave or send a thank you letter. This is a most effective lobbying tool. Use the letter or note to restate key points and confirm understandings.
• Be aware of the importance of a legislator’s staff people.

Don't:

• Don’t assume the legislator knows and understands your issues. Be careful to explain any terminology.
• Don’t argue and never threaten; simply explain.
• Don’t let the discussion stray too far from the purpose of your meeting.
• Don’t be afraid – it’s your right to petition your legislators!

You can meet with your legislators in person either at the capitol or district meetings.

• Call for an appointment in advance and be on time.
• Plan for a maximum of 15 minutes, be prepared for less than 10. Be concise.
• Do your homework... know what you're asking for - support or oppose a bill.
• Stay focused on your message. What do you want out of the meeting?
• Provide input/information/your opinion and why. Stories that demonstrate your point are helpful.
• Ask for their support/opposition. Do they need additional information?
• Always tell the truth, if you don't know - say so, and get back to them with the information.
• Be polite, don't threaten, be respectful.
• Remember the Golden Rule - treat others as you would like to be treated.
• Allow time for questions/discussion.
• Thank them for the visit.
• Follow up with a personal mailed note.

Well-written letters or emails are an excellent way of contacting legislators if time permits, although face-to-face meetings are best. Most state legislators personally read their own mail. Letters and emails are often filed electronically by bill number or issue. Sometimes they are used as an opinion tally, so your opinion counts.

• When emailing, send an individual email rather than to a group of legislators. Some legislators will discard emails addressed to a group of legislators without reading them.
• For letters, use your business letterhead if the issue concerns your business. When using personal stationery for letters, or whenever you send an email, be sure to include your name, address, telephone number and email address.
• Be sure letter is legible and type it if possible.
• Reference the bill number (or issue) at the very top of the letter or in the subject line of an email.
• In the salutation use a first name only if you personally know the legislator and you are sure they know you. Usually it's best to use their title (Senator or Representative) and last name.
• If you are a small business person and/or a constituent, identify yourself as such.
• Describe the bill or issue and state whether you are opposed or supportive, or make a specific request. Give well-considered reasons for your position. Tell how the bill will affect the college, students, teachers or the community.
• Call for action by asking for a "yes" or "no" vote, or other appropriate action.
• Let the legislator know that because of your interest, you will be closely watching what happens on the issue, and you will appreciate receiving a response.
• Thank the legislator for his/her consideration and offer to provide more information if necessary.
• Form emails carry little weight.
• Be sure to sign letters.

If you wish to speak to a committee verbally, you must either pre-register or use a public access station in front of the Capitol building at the designated meeting time. To be successful in your testimony, you should:

• Know your audience.
• Know the issue.
• Be familiar with the committee process.
• Present your testimony in writing.

For more information, visit the Oregon Legislature How to Testify webpage

Letters to the editor in local papers can send powerful messages not only to the community at large but also elected officials.

The Clackamas Review covers all of Clackamas County. Their political letters are limited to 200 words. To submit a letter, visit their website.

You may also submit letters to the editor to the Oregonian. They limit letters to 250 words. Submit your letters via email to letters@oregonian.com. For more information, visit OregonLive's How Do I Write a Letter to the Editor webpage.

Contact your legislator today. Our legislators can't do good work for the community if we don't tell them what we want. Let your senator and representative know how important investing in Clackamas Community College and Oregon's community colleges is. 

Not sure who your legislators are? Visit Oregon Legislature's District Map.