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Advocacy "To Do" List

25 Things You Can Do TODAY to Be an Effective Advocate

1. Find out who your elected officials are -- use PMA's Take Action Center for federal officials and www.congress.org to track down state and local policy makers.
   
2. Be sure you're registered to vote! -- learn how at www.beavoter.org
   
3. Learn about the process -- check out the resources on the U.S. House of Representatives website
   
4. Visit your elected officials' websites -- follow the links from the U.S. House and Senate pages for your U.S. representatives. Check out NCSL's great legislature links page for your state reps.
   
5. Find out what bills they've introduced -- for the federal level, this information is at the Library of Congress (click on "Bill Search" and search for bills sponsored by your representatives). At the state level, use the NCSL's legislature links page
   
6. Learn more about PMA's key policy issues -- link to PMA's issues pages
   
7. Send an E-mail -- go to PMA's Take Action Center for details on Action Alerts and to connect with your Congressional offices
   
8. Set up a meeting -- ask to meet with your representatives either in their district offices or at the capitol. You can find a sample letter on the templates page.
   
9. Set up a site visit -- show your elected officials how their policies directly impact your work by inviting them to visit your facility. Whether you're a producer, distributor and even a restaurant owner, there's always something you can show elected officials about the produce chain.
   
10. Offer to help with a town hall or community meeting: Many elected officials have regularly scheduled "town hall" or community meetings, and are always looking for topics and speakers. Why not suggest a meeting on food safety or nutrition issues -- and use your network to invite local experts.
    
11. Learn about the staff -- all federal elected officials and many state officials have staff people that specialize in certain issue areas. Call today to find out who the staff person is who handles agriculture. You can find phone numbers through www.congress.org or through the state legislative websites.
    
12. Add your elected officials to your newsletter list -- keep them up to date on what you're doing!
    
13. Remember the human side of the equation: Elected officials and their staff are people too! Find out what school they went to, what their hobbies and interests are -- even what sports they like to play or watch -- and talk with them about those interests when appropriate.
    
14. Learn more about produce issues in your community: Because they must deal with such a wide range of issues, elected officials and their staff are, by the nature, generalists. They are looking for expertise -- make sure you're the person they turn to on produce issues in the district by becoming as familiar as you can with all the produce-related issues that face your community.
    
15. Draft a statement for your elected officials to submit to the Congressional Record or state legislative journal -- whenever you have anything going on ask your elected officials to submit a statement for the record. Click here for a template.
    
16. Name that month -- Is it National Sweet Potato month (February)? National Pecan Day (March)? Or National SoyFoods Month (April)? Almost every type of produce has a national "whatever" month or day -- track them down on the Food Month list and use it as an excuse to engage your elected officials. You can get them to submit a statement (see above), have a meeting, or just verbally express their support for your favorite produce!
    
17. Make Yourself Memorable -- Elected officials and their staff receive thousands of communications a week. You want yours to stand out in the crowd. Think about what gets your attention when reviewing your own mail. Do you pay attending to all the credit card offers that say the same thing or do you focus on those communications that seem personal, relevant and thoughtful? Take the same approach with your elected officials.
    
18. Develop your story -- Your role in the polic y process is to make the connection for elected officials between policy making at the state or federal level and the real impacts on people in their districts. You achieve this goal by telling a compelling story. Sit down today and write out a few anecdotes about how new COOL regulations or Labor requirements or reductions in farm conservation funds might impact your work.
    
19. Update your Website: Put any information you want elected officials to see on your website -- it's the first place they and their staff look for details on policy issues.
    
20. Engage the Media -- Elected officials and their staff pay attention to the media outlets in their community. Consider writing a letter to the editor or an OPED on prodcue policy, either in reaction to a recent article or as an interesting opinion piece. You can find out more about the media in your community at the PMA Action Center's Media Center
    
21. Support Candidates Who Understand Produce -- One terrific way to ensure that government officials understand produce policy is to help elect people that have some experience with the issues, or are at least sympathetic. You can learn about candidates for office in your area by going to www.vote-smart.org. FInd one you like and volunteer on their campaign!
    
22. Sometimes it's not WHAT you Know, but WHO you Know: Building coalitions is one great way to identify others in your community who may support your work -- and who would be willing to talk to an elected official or two on your issues. This approach can be particulalry useful for when deciding who is the best person to talk to an elected official. Sometimes, someone from the business community or an interest group can get their attention better than you might be able to. Consider setting up a meeting with your local chamber of commerce or offering to make a speech at the local rotary club.
    
23. District Work Periods: Elected officials spend a great deal of time in their districts -- make sure they're working hard by setting up a meeting with them! You can find out about Congressional calendars on our Tools and Techniques page.
    
24. Thank them for doing the right thing: Everyone likes to be acknowledged, so be sure to send thank you notes to your legislators when they've voted the right way. Or, go one step further and give them an award!
    
25. Have Fun!: Participating in the process of creating policy isn't supposed to be tedious and pointless. Have some pride in the fact that you are actively participating in your government -- and making a difference!