Now that states have adjourned their legislative sessions, how can advocates engage in further education and outreach?

Individuals and advocacy organizations can take an active role in a state’s legislative process in a number of ways. They can attend legislative events, testify at committee hearings, and meet with elected officials.

There are many ways to contact a legislator and build a fruitful relationship, including writing letters, making phone calls, and attending town hall meetings. But the most effective medium for educating elected officials on important issues is to set up an office meeting with the legislator and the legislator’s staff. Christopher Glen discusses how to request and prepare for a meeting, and offers tips on how to make the meeting a success.

The importance of individual grassroots advocacy cannot be overstated, and NACDL makes engaging in advocacy as quick and as easy as possible. On average, engaging in a preplanned advocacy effort takes less than one minute.