How to Educate Your Elected Officials About Taiwan ABC’s of Grassroots Advocacy

Congressional Resolutions House Resolution Senate Resolution

Types of Resolutions Simple Resolution – used to set own rules or congratulate or condemn. Concurrent Resolution – like simple resolution, except it is introdubed in both houses concurrently.

How a Resolution is Passed A resolution is introduced in the House of Representatives (H) or the Senate (S). Resolution is sponsored by a Representative or Senator. Other legislators can co-sponsor the resolution. The more co-sponsors, the more likely other members will support the resolution, enabling it to pass.

How a Resolution is Passed (continued) The resolution is assigned to a committee for study. If released by committee, the resolution is put to a vote (218 votes for a simple majority). The resolution is sent to the Senate.

How a Resolution is Passed (continued) It is assigned to a Senate committee for review. If released, it is voted on again, with a simple majority of 51 votes to pass. After a conference consisting of both House and Senate members work out differences, the resolution is sent back to the House and Senate for a final vote.

What is Advocacy? Advocacy (Noun): “the act or process of advocating or supporting a cause or proposal.” (Webster’s Dictionary)

Advocacy Activities Voting Writing a letter (snail mail or online) Picking up a phone and calling Visits (Local Office or Capitol Hill) Public Demonstrations

Grassroots Advocacy Grassroots advocacy is a form of advocacy which originates among concerned citizens, rather than being orchestrated by organizations or companies.

Why Advocacy? Elected officials represent their constituents. Our elected officials cannot represent us unless we educate them on our concerns.

How To Conduct Advocacy Discover who represents you Who are your Senators? Who is your House Representative?

United States Senate Find your Senators by State. Two per state.

House of Representatives Find your Representative by Zip Code + 4

Contacting Your Member of Congress Visit Phone Write/

Etiquette You are a constituent (or an inhabitant of the district/state) You are a member of FAPA-YPG, a national grassroots advocacy organization. You are expressing your concern about the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.

Etiquette (continued) Ask your representative to join the Taiwan Caucus. Thank your representative for past involvement or support.

Visiting Your Congressperson Visiting a local office. Visiting an office on Capitol Hill.

Appointment Request an appointment with your representative’s foreign affairs aide. Include your identity and organization. Provide available times/dates.

Example Request I am a constituent of California and a member of Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA-YPG), a grassroots advocacy organization with 56 chapters across the nation. I would like to schedule an appointment with Senator Boxer’s foreign affairs aide next week in the afternoon to discuss the U.S.- Taiwan relationship.

Preparing For the Visit Have an agenda prepared, know what issues you want to present, and who is going to present them. Research your legislator’s positions on your issues, and consider them in framing your position. Be aware of their political affiliations, as it can dictate their stance on some issues.

DOs and DON’Ts DOs Be on time. If you will be late, call. Be brief. Their time is limited. Present all the issues before the small talk. Thank them for issues they already support. Use personal examples, when possible, because your interest and concern are what they are interested in. Do focus on how an issue benefits US interests.

DOs and DON’Ts DON’Ts Don’t interrupt a speaker. Don’t contradict others in your group. Don’t make up facts. If you are unsure, offer to find the answer and follow up. Do not overload them with information. Do not argue with the aide. Do not discuss Taiwan politics with the aide.

Appointment Etiquette 1.Dress in business attire. 2.Bring two copies of all documents. 3.When you meet the aide, introduce yourself and exchange business cards.

Appointment Etiquette (continued) 4.Give one set of documents to the aide so that s/he can follow along. 5.Focus on two to four specific issues. 6.Ask the aide if you may follow up in one week.

Appointment Etiquette (continued) 7.Thank the aide for meeting with you. 8.In one week, contact the aide and request an update.

Appointment Etiquette (continued) Steps 9, 10, and 11… FOLLOW UP! FOLLOW UP!! FOLLOW UP!!!

Congressional Visit At local level, you will be meeting a general legislative assistant. On Capitol Hill, you are more likely meet with the Foreign Affairs aide.

Annual FAPA-YPG Conference Washington, DC August 27-29, 2011

Calling Your Congressperson Preferable to call the Capitol Hill office to speak to the Foreign Affairs aide Be sure to call back to follow up.

Placing the Call Practice what you want to say. Be concise. Keep your call to 2-3 minutes. Be organized. Decide on which 2 or 3 points you want to discuss and keep it brief. Clearly state what support you seek. Thank them for their time. If you can, follow up with a letter restating your points and thanking them.

Writing Your Congressperson Writing a letter Writing an

Writing a Letter Be brief (one page), and use your own words Letter should be a professional letter, using appropriate headings, addresses, and titles. Be specific. State the specific bill number and issue, and state your opinion in the first sentence. Include personal experiences, when possible. Ask the legislator to specifically commit to supporting the legislation. If sending the letter to a committee member, copy your own representative.

Sending an An sent to a legislator should be considered a professional letter. Follow the same guidelines of writing a letter. Include your full name and address in body of message.

Writing A Website/Organization Correcting references of Taiwan Correcting inaccurate information on maps, websites, and articles.

Contacting a Website/Organization Who can you contact? Newspaper editors Website managers Marketing or PR Departments of Organizations/Companies Government Agencies

Why Contact an Editor? Contacting newspaper editors to bring attention to a resolution or issue is a great way to provide exposure. Focusing on the resolution or issue ensures that the media will follow and report on it. Media coverage of a resolution or issue makes Congress aware it is important.

Other Resources FAPA Website –

Other Resources (continued) FAPA-YPG Website –

Other Resources (continued) THOMAS (Library of Congress) thomas.loc.gov

Questions

How to educate your elected officials about Taiwan ABC’s of Grassroots Advocacy Created by Kevin K. Wu – May 18, 2011