1. Contacting Your Representative
A Beginner’s Guide to Civic Participation
The Cedar City Peace and Justice Association
DaKishia Reid

2. Goals
Inform and empower participants to contact your state reps, and understand the value of contacting them regularly as a form of civic action and involvement.
Explain to others how to contact their reps
Brainstorm ideas of sustainability of service, share tips, and make connection i.e. personal challenge, calling-tree team, etc.

3. One of the main goals is to go from feeling . . .
Like this,

4. To this.

5. Quick Review
Source:

6. Utah’s Congressional Reps . . .
We have 2 Senators
Orrin Hatch (1977)*
Mike Lee (2011)
And 4 Congressmen
Rob Bishop (since 2003)*
Christ Stewart (2013)*
Jason Chaffetz (2009)*
Mia Love (2015)*
Source:

7. Meanwhile, back at the Ranch . . .
We have 29 Utah State Senate members (4 year terms) and 75 State House members (2 year terms). Iron county is Senate district 28, House District 72. In Session for 45 days: Jan 29-March 9. Recent major legislature in the past years include air quality protection, LGBTQ anti-discrimination, and land use/accessibility. Check out what’s going on here.
Senator Evan Vickers
Representative Westwood
Sources: ,

8. Contacting your Reps: Why?
Let’s talk about the idea of a democracy.
January 2017, Office of Congressional Ethics Vote
It’s in the name: They represent you. They also represent others.
Contacting your Reps: How?

9. Calling Card US Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)* US Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
104 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC (202)
196 E. Tabernacle, Rm 14
St. George, UT (435)
US Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
361A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC (202)
285 W. Tabernacle, Suite 200
St. George, UT (435)
House Rep Chris Stewart (2nd Dist)*
323 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC (202)
253 W. St. George Blvd.
St. George, UT (435)
Twitter: @RepChrisSterwart
Utah Senator Evan Vickers (R-UT)
2166 N Cobble Creek Dr.
Cedar City, UT 84721
(C) (435)
(H) (435)
(435)
Utah Rep John Westwood (R-UT)
350 North State, Suite 350
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114
(435)
2017 State Legislature session:
Jan 29-March 9
Mid-Term Election: Nov. 2018*

10. Pro Tips Congressional Office: Pick one topic per contact
Interns
Staff Assistant (who you’ll talk to first)
Legislative Correspondent (who you’ll get a letter from)
Legislative Advisors
Senator
Local Office:
Same time zone
Visit is easier
Less calls, so this is a good place to get the opinion of the representative from receptionist.
Pick one topic per contact
Personalize your story
Be polite and firm
It is okay to contact a rep in regards to something you believe they’ve done well.
Prepare a response should you be asked for a suggestion
LEAVE YOUR ADDRESS/ZIP

11. Pros and Cons
Visit
Capable of having a conversation, asking questions, sharing how policy could effect you
Bring your friends
Most time and resource costly
Limited time of Reps
Call
Great flexibility and accessibility
Script or no is ultimately okay
Invite staffers to your events!
Full mailbox?
Talking on the phone is uncomfortable for some
Don’t forget your zip/address!!!!
Mail
Hand-written letters generally receive response (district office--State)
Compose your thoughts
Most responses will be generic, even as issue is recorded.
/Tweet
Easiest for many folks
AMOUNT can be effective
Not a high likelihood of response. A LOT of s/tweets a day.
Don’t forget your zip/address!!!

12. Review Contact your reps in a variety of ways
Politeness is key. Also making sure they know you are a constituent (ADDRESS!!)
So you don’t lose your mind, pick a few topics that you are passionate about. It will allow you to focus on them and be knowledgeable.
Encourage others to engage.

13. Some light reading . . .
This lady was a staffer for Rep. Stewart and Chaffetz for 6 years and shares what worked to reach her:
Upcoming events in March:
Real Women Run training (St. George)
PJA Listen and Learn: Immigrants in Cedar City—March 1st
Iron County Democrats meet 3rd Sat of month—Pastry Pub
Iron County Republicans—
Iron County Liberterians--
Find (and add) more at (Our Sweet website!)

14. More Resources ***A Special thank you to the many folks who contributed to this list!
One action a day- the call explains the action and then connects you to who the direction is meant to contact.
Track your rep to see how they vote.
Good tips for sustainable contribution to civic action.
Weekly Google doc you can subscribe to with ideas for weekly action.