Advocacy 101
FIND YOUR LEGISLATORS AND GET TO KNOW THEM
- Use these tools to identify your legislators
- Go to those elected officials’ websites and sign up for their newsletters
- Attend quarterly events with legislators to get to know the issues they care about; at community town halls introduce yourself as a UCLA advocate and ask a question related to public higher education
- Introduce yourself to legislators and their staff members during events to remind them you are a constituent and the issues you care about, including UCLA and public higher education
- Send email correspondence to legislators and staff members reminding them you met and what your conversations were about
MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN
- Take part in community events and discussions and subscribe to newsletters on issues you are passionate about — whether through your local neighborhood council, chamber of commerce, issue-oriented non-profit, or PAC
- Mix with and meet other passionate, cause-minded individuals and influencers in all sectors, and stay on top of the issues
HELP US MOBILIZE
- Write emails and letters in response to Urgent Action alerts (we will send these to you!)
- Always make sure to customize letters with your personal story, and your connection to UCLA and/or professional title where appropriate
5. MEETINGS MAKE NOISE
- When meeting with elected officials, recognize you are more likely to get an appointment if you are an actual constituent
- Note that a meeting with a staff member can be just as valuable as a meeting directly with a legislator
- Plan for a 15-minute meeting, but be ready for a longer one, and have a nice-looking, but concise leave-behind packet of information
- Always follow up meetings with a thank you email or physical card