Welcome to COSAC
The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community
Government Watch
Our online advocacy software made
possible through a generous donation
made by Gene &
Fran Doyle in honor
of Lexi Nelson.
Tips on Effective Advocacy
How much time does it take to make a difference?
You can make a difference in as little as a minute with a phone call or email to a decision-maker. You might also make a greater commitment - and have a much greater impact - by visiting with an elected official or staff member. This page will help you learn more about how you can be an effective advocate.
What are the most effective means of advocating an issue or public policy position?
Visiting Legislators and Other Elected Officials
Making an in-person visit with an elected official, or their staff, is the most influential way to influence policy. While this kind of direct lobbying requires a significant investment of time and planning, most advocates report it is the most rewarding, both in terms of getting their personal satisfaction and getting their points across to policy-makers.
Elected officials in Trenton and Washington have very demanding schedules. Don't be disappointed if you have to meet with a staff person-they may know as much or more about your issue than the elected representative or administrator. Group visits can be particularly effective, especially when constituents with varying - but supportive - perspective on your issue are represented. Group visits also increases your chances of meeting with the official. Click here for tips on meeting with legislators and other elected officials.
Writing Letters to Elected Officials
Writing letters in your own words is an efficient and effective way to influence your elected officials, especially if you are a direct constituent. Legislative and administrative offices often receive only a few letters on most issues, so each one can carry weight when it arrives at the office.
Remember to include your address so that the staff member opening the mail knows you are a constituent. If you are writing to Congress, remember that your letter may take many weeks to arrive at Congressional offices owing to security procedures. If you're writing about an urgent issue, fax your letter.
A great advocacy letter is comprised of just three paragraphs, or parts.
The opening part should clearly state who you are: ("my name is Joanne Smith and I am the mother of a child with autism"), the issue you are advocating ("I'm writing to express my support for A-2259, which protects people who choose self-directed residential options in NJ"), and the action you would like the official to take ("I urge you to support the bills passage when you vote on it next week").
The second part should give more information on the bill/action in question, ("A-2259 extends the same rights and protections to my adult son who receives Real Life Choices services at home, as have recipients of state services in other settings"), evidence supporting your position, and, if you have room, more about your personal experience with the issue. The third part should be a brief summary and provide final encouragement. When possible, try to thank your elected official for actions they've taken in the past.
Letter-Writing Tips
- A one-page letter is ideal. Say what you need to say, but be as brief as possible.
- Stay on one issue. Single-issue letters have the greatest impact.
- Be sure your letter is legible and neat. Handwritten letters can also be very effective, as long as they are legible.
- Never be rude, insulting, or make threatening statements in advocacy letters, such as suggesting that you will penalize the official in the voting booth. Doing so will remove any chance you had to positively influence the official or staff members.
- Always address your communications properly.
State legislators most often receive letter communications at their district office, but you may address their letters to the Statehouse in Trenton if you are writing to them in their role as a partisan leader, such as Majority Leader, Speaker, or Committee Member.
New Jersey Senate
State House
P.O. Box 099
Trenton, NJ 08625-0099
or
New Jersey General Assembly
State House
P.O. Box 098
Trenton, NJ 08625-0098
The letter's salutation should read "Dear Senator" or "Dear Assemblyman/woman."
Congressional delegates are addressed as "Congressman" or Congresswoman" if they are a member of the House of Representatives, or as "Senator" if a member of the U.S. Senate.
The advocacy tools provided on our site will help you identify your elected officials, properly address your letter, and help you print or email your letter.
Telephone Calls
Although not as effective as letters, telephone calls can be very effective advocacy tools - especially when targeted legislation is being debated or voted upon. A constituent may not get through to a legislator or administration official on the first telephone call, but talking to or leaving a message for the relevant staff person has a significant impact.
Remember to identify yourself properly ("My name is Mary Jones from Curtisville, and I have a brother with autism"). Just as you would in a letter, name the issue you're interested in, and ask to speak to the legislator or a staff person who works on that issue. Making your statement to the person who has answered the phone is OK if no one else is immediately available.
Emails
Although not all emails will be read personally by legislators or high ranking administration officials, most are seen or addressed by the staff in some way. How emails are handled varies widely from office to office - some will make sure you get a personal reply, some will send an automatic reply and nothing else. For popular issues, the number of email messages received by legislative offices are an indicator of the level of support behind a particular issue or initiative.
Keep in mind that sending a written letter through the mail is more effective than sending an email. If you are going to email, be sure to include your home mailing address in your message! The advocacy tools available on our site will do that for you.
Petitions
Petitions, though relatively easy to circulate, are not a highly effective means of persuasion unless they will be delivered in person to an elected official who is sympathetic with your issue.
Online petitions can be good for raising awareness about a subject, but are usually not an effective advocacy tool with policy-makers. They may be useful is for building a database of people interested in your cause.
If you're going to sign an internet petition, do so only through a website - not by email - and make sure it is sponsored by a trusted organization. Petitions hosted on a website do not change, and they are more secure, but they can still be inaccurate or outdated. Email petitions are frequently wrong or may be a hoax, outdated, or all of the above. Be aware that there may be nothing to prevent the petition from being changed after (or before) you've signed it. In nearly all circumstances such petitions will be meaningless to elected officials.
