Making Effective Telephone Calls

When time is short, a personal phone call to legislators or key healthcare aides may be the most effective method to communicate your views. To find you representative’s phone number you may call Daniel Vacanti at (517) 332-0385. When you personally know the Senator or Representative, call their office and identify yourself when asking for them. Ask to speak with the legislative aide who handles your issue if you do not know the Senator or Representative. The suggestions provided here are to help and guide you should you need to leave a message. Please remember to be concise.

• Identifying yourself and leave a brief message with the aide, such as: "Could you please let Senator/Representative (name) know that I support/oppose (SB__/HB__)."

• State the reason/s for your support or opposition to the bill. Have talking points in order stay focused on the message you want to deliver. The American Heart Association (AHA) will periodically provide you with talking points in legislative Action Alerts or Newsletters. For additional information on any AHA issue please contact Katherine Knoll, Director of Public Advocacy at 517-332-0385 or 800-968-2425.

• Localize the issue to demonstrate the impact on that legislator's constituents.

• Focus on a single issue, making two or three key points in your phone call. Keep your call brief - no more than three or four minutes.

• For questions that you cannot answer, indicate that you will obtain the answer and call again. Should you need help with any of the answers please contact the American Heart Association office.

• Leave your name and telephone number with the staff member so that you can be contacted for further information.

• Make note of the legislative aide that you spoke with. Next time, you can ask for him/her by name and begin to build a relationship. Staff members are more likely to listen and return phone calls from people that they know.

• Be sure to send a thank you note!