Scheduling Sacramento Legislative Visits

Posted by Jim Lockwood on July 10, 2009 under Advocacy Resources, General Information | Be the First to Comment

Here are some steps to follow when planning to visit your state Senator or Assemblymember in Sacramento:

1. Find out who is your state Senator and Assemblymember.  Visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and enter your zip code.  Be sure to print out the page or write down the information.
2. Decide when you would like to visit and what you want to speak about.  It is important to know what you want to say to the representative and what action you want them to take.
3. Call the representative’s capitol office in Sacramento.  You got the phone number in step one.  Ask to speak to the person who schedules visits for the representative.
4. Explain the purpose of your visit and when you would like to make the visit.  Explain that if the representative is not available, you would like to speak to the staff person who handles disability issues.
5. You will often be asked to fax or email a letter requesting the meeting.   If so, send a simple letter such as this sample – SAMPLE LETTER.
6. Call back in a couple days to see if a meeting can be scheduled.

Other suggestions for your visit:

• If you are representing a family member, take a photo with you and a copy to leave with the representative or their staff.
• Take a camera to get a picture of the visit.
• Be at their office 5 minutes early for the meeting.
• Write a thank you letter after the visit, and remind the representative or staff member of your issue and your availability if they have future questions.