TOOLS TO TAKE ACTION
How To Be An Effective Advocate: A Guide To Taking Charge
B’nai B’rith international Center for Senior Services (CSS) advocates on a variety of issues affecting the lives of older adults that includes: Section 202 and other affordable housing for seniors, health care reform, income security, nutrition and etc.
Anyone can be an advocate. Below you will find step by step instructions teaching you the basics of advocacy and how you can get started today!
All it takes to get started is for you and your friends to decide to speak up and be heard. Getting your legislator’s attention is not as difficult as it may seem. Try it! You can do something from your home, in your town or in the nation’s capitol.
February through March is when the federal budget is written. Consequently, it is a great time to write and call your members of Congress about funding for affordable housing for seniors.
Writing Your Legislator: Legislators are extremely interested in reading correspondence from constituents. Remember: They should be responsive to you! You can write to them at the Capitol or in their hometown office. Part of their job is to respond to you.
Tips for Writing on Affordable Housing:
1. State your name and where you live. Your name and address should also be on the top of the letter.
2. Give a little bit of information about how long you have lived in your building.
3. State why you are writing.
4. Give examples of why you have benefited from living in affordable housing and the role it plays in your life.
5. Please find the sample correspondence below (PDF).
Anyone can be an advocate. Below you will find step by step instructions teaching you the basics of advocacy and how you can get started today!
All it takes to get started is for you and your friends to decide to speak up and be heard. Getting your legislator’s attention is not as difficult as it may seem. Try it! You can do something from your home, in your town or in the nation’s capitol.
February through March is when the federal budget is written. Consequently, it is a great time to write and call your members of Congress about funding for affordable housing for seniors.
Writing Your Legislator: Legislators are extremely interested in reading correspondence from constituents. Remember: They should be responsive to you! You can write to them at the Capitol or in their hometown office. Part of their job is to respond to you.
Tips for Writing on Affordable Housing:
1. State your name and where you live. Your name and address should also be on the top of the letter.
2. Give a little bit of information about how long you have lived in your building.
3. State why you are writing.
4. Give examples of why you have benefited from living in affordable housing and the role it plays in your life.
5. Please find the sample correspondence below (PDF).
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Calling Your Legislator:
Legislators are extremely interested hearing from constituents. Remember: They should be responsive to you! You can call them at the Capitol or in their hometown office. Part of their job is to listen and respond to you. When you call, a staff assistant will answer the phone, but your message will go to the legislator. Tips for Calling Your Legislator: Write down what you want to say. In case you get nervous or lose your thought, having notes written down will help you to stay on target and direct the flow of the conversation. 1. Introduce yourself and state your name and where you live. 2. Tell them the issue you are calling about and why the issue is important to you. 3. Be specific as to what you are asking for. 4. Thank the person for taking your call. 5. Please see the sample dialogue for a call below (PDF). |
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Meeting With Your Legislator: Legislators enjoy visiting B’nai B’rith affordable housing properties. These visits provide a great opportunity for lawmakers to visit a building in partnership with the federal government and learn more about seniors issues. After the tour, your legislator can meet with residents in a town hall style format and discuss issue that impact seniors such as affordable housing, health care, income security, nutrition and etc.
Tips for Scheduling a Visit With Your Legislator:
1. Try and schedule your meeting when Congress is not in session. If you are not sure, you can call and ask.
2. Again, write out what you want to say so that you can stay focused. Try to separate the myths from the facts.
3. Do your research: know all about your legislators (committees, recent votes and etc.) so that you will know what to expect.
4. B’nai B’rith sponsored buildings should reach out to us for assistance. We have hosted lawmakers at our sponsored buildings numerous times, and we can use our expertise to ensure the visit goes smoothly and your issues get discussed. Email us at seniorservices@bnaibrith.org.
Tips for Meeting with your Legislator:
1. Know the status of the issue you are concerned about. Is there any major legislation pending that could impact affordable housing, health care, income security, nutrition issues and etc. The CSS team is always monitoring pending legislation to keep you updated on all issues.
2. State your concerns and explain how this impacts you. Tell them about your personal experiences…it works! They need to know how a bill will hurt or help you in everyday life. Tell a story with real emotion to show how much the issue really means to you.
3. Say exactly what you want the legislator to do, support a bill, oppose a bill or improve a bill to make it better.
4. Thank the legislator for their time and offer a firm handshake.
Tips to Remember!
1. Be in control. Don’t be intimidated. Politely explain what you want and don’t get sidetracked.
2. Be specific about what you want to see happen.
3. Get a firm answer.
4. Make it clear that you will monitor the legislator’s actions.
Tips for Scheduling a Visit With Your Legislator:
1. Try and schedule your meeting when Congress is not in session. If you are not sure, you can call and ask.
2. Again, write out what you want to say so that you can stay focused. Try to separate the myths from the facts.
3. Do your research: know all about your legislators (committees, recent votes and etc.) so that you will know what to expect.
4. B’nai B’rith sponsored buildings should reach out to us for assistance. We have hosted lawmakers at our sponsored buildings numerous times, and we can use our expertise to ensure the visit goes smoothly and your issues get discussed. Email us at seniorservices@bnaibrith.org.
Tips for Meeting with your Legislator:
1. Know the status of the issue you are concerned about. Is there any major legislation pending that could impact affordable housing, health care, income security, nutrition issues and etc. The CSS team is always monitoring pending legislation to keep you updated on all issues.
2. State your concerns and explain how this impacts you. Tell them about your personal experiences…it works! They need to know how a bill will hurt or help you in everyday life. Tell a story with real emotion to show how much the issue really means to you.
3. Say exactly what you want the legislator to do, support a bill, oppose a bill or improve a bill to make it better.
4. Thank the legislator for their time and offer a firm handshake.
Tips to Remember!
1. Be in control. Don’t be intimidated. Politely explain what you want and don’t get sidetracked.
2. Be specific about what you want to see happen.
3. Get a firm answer.
4. Make it clear that you will monitor the legislator’s actions.
How To Find Your Legislator:
1. Senate https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact
2. House of Representatives https://www.house.gov/ (top right corner)
1. Senate https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact
2. House of Representatives https://www.house.gov/ (top right corner)
