1. How to Be an Effective Advocate
CT Alliance for Basic Human Needs
65 Hungerford St., Hartford, CT 06106
ConnecticutAllianceforBasicHumanNeeds
@CTBasicNeeds

2. Meeting with Legislators
Meet with your legislator or a legislator that might support your issue. Call early to schedule a meeting or phone call. Let staff know who you plan to bring to a meeting. Find legislators at
Before the meeting
Create a one-page handout:
Educate legislators about the subject and why is this legislation important.
Give solutions to the issue, who would be affected, information on costs and funding (if any), and what the benefits would be.
Have information on similar initiatives in other states.
Explain the benefits and why it may work well in Connecticut.
Give specific data and information such as studies, case histories, personal stories, costs, savings, etc.
Bring copies
Practice your personal story and a clear 3 minute “ask” .
Review legislators’ bios and what committees he/ she is on.

3. Meet with Legislators- At the meeting
Dress appropriately
Turn volume off mobile devices and put away
Be pleasant
Be early and review roles, main talking points, and order of speaking
Introduce yourself and others. If anyone is a constituent – say so!
Stay on the topic and what you are asking
Thank legislator for his or her time
Offer to follow up with any additional information/answers to questions that the legislator requests AND DO SO!

4. Meet with Legislators- Unscheduled
You may run into a legislator at the Capitol or elsewhere
Have your 3 minute speech ready to go
End with your ask
Make your story personal; how the issue has affected you
Give the legislator your one-page
handout (if you have it)
Follow up with a note or

5. Public Hearings
Before a bill comes out of a committee to the House or Senate, it must have a public hearing
Public hearings are a PERFECT opportunity to
tell your story and ask the committee to
SUPPORT or OPPOSE a bill or proposal
Submit written testimony to the committee
Encourage others to come out to speak at the hearing and/or submit written testimony to the committee

6. Final Thoughts and Tips
DO NOT
Assume legislators or staff will know your name, organization, or issue – no matter how many times you have met
Lie or make things up – if you do not know, tell them that, then find out
Fail to follow-up, if you say you will
If you can’t find the information you promised to follow-up with – tell them that too
Sign them up for mass s unless you received permission to do so
Be rude, defensive, or threatening
No one knows your message better than you
Find people and organizations that support your position
Different ways to engage:
Phone s
Letters
In-person meetings
Social media
NEVER GIVE UP!