Tips for Sharing Your Story with Your Legislator's Office

Personal stories are a powerful way to show lawmakers why an issue matters.

Here are some things to consider when sharing a personal message with your representative’s office.

1. Let them know that you are a constituent. If you are making a phone call, you can say “I’m a constituent and I live at _____.” If you are sending an email, you can include your address in your signature below your name.
2. Explain how your personal experience is directly related to the bill. Focus on the harm or help this bill will have on your personal situation.
3. Keep your message brief and focused on the topic at hand. If you have additional topics that you want to bring up to your legislator, consider contacting your representative’s office again to discuss them at a different time.
4. Many online action alerts from VPLC and other organizations include scripts to use when emailing your representatives. Customizing these scripts with a personal story is a great way to make an impact and help your message stand out.

For a list of action alerts and an online tool to find your legislators’ contact information, visit VPLC’s online action center.

Are you interested in sharing your story with VPLC to help our policy advocacy, outreach, and training efforts? Contact VPLC’s Communications Director, Connie Stevens, to learn more.