Tips On Telephoning Your Elected Representatives
To find your senators' and representative's phone numbers,
you may use the following link to Washington State legislators:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx.
Remember that if you contact them via telephone that calls
are usually taken by a staff member, not the member of the
legislature. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the educational
issues.
Tips On Writing Policy makers
The letter is the most popular choice of communication with
a legislative office. If you decide to write a letter, this
list of helpful suggestions will improve the effectiveness
of the letter:
1. Your purpose for writing should be stated in the
first paragraph of the letter. Specifically you are
asking to either meet with the legislator, invite
them to coffee, or invite him/her to visit your classroom.
If you LIVE in the same district as you teach then
be sure to include that information. If you do not
live in the same district as you teach then also let
the staffer know this.
2. Be courteous, to the point, and include key information,
using the fact that you are a National Board Certified
teacher. Explain that as a NBCT you want to speak,
meet with, etc the policymaker to give them first
hand knowledge of what is going on in public education.
3. Keep the letter to one page. Be sure and let them
know how you want to be contacted in return: phone
number, mailing address, email address or other.
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Addressing Correspondence:
To a State Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
Dear Senator:
To a State Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
Dear Representative:
Checklist:
Include your local address on the letter.
Limit the letter to one page.
Type the letter or write neatly.
Type/print your name below your signature.
Do not send a photocopy.
Tips On E-mailing Legislators
Generally, the same guidelines apply as with writing letters
to legislators. You may find and e-mail your state senator
and legislative representative directly from this Web site.
Tips on "What to Say" to Legislators
1. Share what IS working in your classroom
2. Remember to stay POSITIVE. We need to be the ones
to propose the solutions NOT the problems
3. Don't forget that those that contact or meet with
legislators are asking for money. Stand out and talk
about those things that impact student learning.
4. Remember that you are contacting these legislators
because of your expertise in education. As an NBCT
you DO have the leadership credentials to be listened
to.
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Meeting With Policymakers
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Talking
points from a recent discussion Betsy Cornell,NBCT from
Moses Lake S.D. had with her Legislative District 13
State Legislator Rep. Judy Warnick
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Betsy invited Rep. Warnick to her school for a 45 minute
meeting. Below are the talking points she used at their
meeting. You may want to use her ideas when you set
up your meeting.
• One issue: simple majority on school levies
• Rep. Warnick will make decisions based on
o Conscience, constituents, and party - in
that order
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• Legislators DO read e-mails, listen to phone
messages and use their legislative assistants (LAs)
• NBCT Network needs to contact their representatives
on key issues
o There will be 3000 bills brought to be read
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• Also make time to follow up after a vote
• NBCTs offer a "Layer of Expertise"
whom elected officials can contact with educational
questions
o Dedication to profession via process
o Our actions can go on to change and create
educational policy
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NBCTs can have an influence in their district, their
region, and their state.
Click here to view the
Policy Makers Connection.
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