Calling Tips

Here are some helpful tips to remember when you are ready to call your legislator:

Be Prepared:

  • Know the facts about the Bill you are calling in reference to. Do you know the Bill’s name, number, and who is sponsoring it?
  • Do you know how this Bill will affect you or your community?
  • Consider the kinds of questions you may be asked, and prepare for them.

Call Your Legislator’s Office:

  • You can find your Legislator’s name and contact information by clicking here.
  • Ask to speak to your Legislator directly, but know that you are more likely to talk with your Legislator’s clerk or their voicemail.
  • Focus on one issue and make the call brief.
  • Present your views politely, but persuasively.
  • Ask where your Legislator stands on the issue.
  • Be a good listener.
  • If your Legislator asks you a question that you do not know the answer to, tell them that you are not sure, but you will find the information and get back to them. And when you hang up, make sure you find the information and get back to them.

When Calling Your Legislator:

  • Ask to speak to your Legislator or his/her clerk. However, if your Legislator is not there, ask if they have voice mail. If they do, you should leave a voice mail message, rather than with her/his clerk as this is the easiest and quickest way to leave your message.
  • You are not likely to reach your Legislator the first time you call. When you leave your message feel free to also leave a phone number where you can be reached later in the day. Most Legislators will likely return your call.
  • When speaking with your Legislator, remember to be respectful of his/her time. Legislators are busy people, and they are more likely to listen to you if you are respectful of them and their time.
  • Also, remember to be patient with your Legislator. If she/he does not agree with you, it is okay. If nothing else, remind yourself that you are now an active participant of our Democratic Process.
  • If you are calling about an environmental bill that the NC Conservation Network informed you about, please contact us and let us know how your Legislator stands on the issue. We find this information very valuable as we work in the Legislature.

Please call Peter Walz, NC Conservation Network Organizing Director at 919-857-4699 x106 or email him at peter[at]ncconservationnetwork.org to let us know how your Legislator stands on an environmental bill or issue.

Sample Phone Call:

Hello Rep/Senator Legislator’s name. I am a registered voter in your district. My name is your name and I live in your town. I am calling about House/Senate Bill #__, which would (short description of the bill).

I am strongly opposed to/in favor of this bill and ask you to vote against/for House/Senate Bill #__.

If the bill passes it will affect me (or someone I know) by …short description of how you or a neighbor/friend/relative will be affected.

Can you please tell me your position on House/Senate Bill #__.

Thank you, Rep/Senator Legislator’s name, for your time. I agree with you (or, I am afraid I disagree with you). Thank you again for taking my call.