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WBIA Legislative

Action Center

10 Tips on Becoming a Grassroots Activist

Express Your Views!  Comments can be filed with the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System

In the news...

"CONSUMERS FACE HIGHER INTERNET PRICES AND FEWER CHOICES UNDER TODAY’S FCC BROADBAND DEREGULATION DECISION "

- Consumers Union 10/14/2004

Meeting with Elected Officials :

Don't hesitate to contact your local and state representatives.  Federal telecommunication's rulings affect their constituents as well, including small business, job growth, etc. and they will need to understand the implications of these rulings.

Federal legislators regularly travel to their home districts while Congress is in session and spend time meeting with constituents during these visits and while Congress is on break.  So schedule a meeting in your own region during one of these periods. 

Your meeting can have more impact if you include a small group of people who share your concerns and can share how these decisions will affect them, personally and professionally.  Decide ahead of time what the group will say and who will cover each issue.  Remember, keep it simple and limit your discussion to one or two topics at the most.

You can call your legislator's local office or their office in Washington, D.C. to schedule the appointment.  You can find their contact information on the WBIA Legislative Action Center. Be sure to let the staff know who will be attending the meeting and what will be discussed.  This way your legislator will have an opportunity to prepare, which will ultimately make your meeting more productive.

Here are some tips on conducting a productive meeting:

• Present your case and explain why you are seeking their support and help.
• Give examples of the impact of telecom legislation and if ISP's are put out of business.
• If the Representative asks you a question and you don't know the answer, don't make it up.  Offer to find out and send the information back to their office.
• Don't expect your Representative to be a specialist on our issues.  Their schedules and work load make them generalists who rely on advice from their aides on particular issues.  Hopefully, your Representative will be open to listening and learning.
• Keep control of the visit.  Don't be afraid to ask for a specific answer if you don't feel that you are receiving one.  It's a good idea to make notes prior to your meeting to be sure that you stay on topic.
• Ask your Representative if they are familiar with opposing views and how they view those positions.
• Be polite and professional, even if your Representative has an opposing view.  This may help in lessening their opposition.
• NEVER CONFRONT, THREATEN, PRESSURE OR BEG.
• Follow up your visit with a thank you note.

Finally, invite your state, local and federal Representatives to participate in your organization's activities and events.  Invite them to address your group and even present them with an award.  Events like these leave a lasting impression and go a long way in building a relationship with your legislator.