Organize a Lobby Day, Call-in Day, or Town Hall

Determine which event you want to host For each event, choose an issue you want to focus on, set goals, and define an agenda. Please note that depending on your type of organization, there are restrictions on whether and the extent to which you can participate in lobbying and electioneering activities. Visit the resources below for more information.

Contact your elected officials in advance If you are organizing a lobby day or town hall meeting, ensure that you get in touch with the elected official’s office and arrange a time and date that works for all parties. Sometimes, elected officials will send a staff member in their place. Legislators regularly engage with their staff to understand what is going on in the community/with their constituents. If you connect with a staff member, having a new point of contact for follow-up can be of great benefit to your cause. Secure a venue, if needed. Notify the media to increase awareness of the event.

Engage your community members, volunteers, and staff members Give your community the opportunity to share their stories and experiences with elected officials. You can incorporate data storytelling by gathering key statistics about an issue and sharing it with community members. Members can share the statistics with their representatives alongside stories of how the issue shows up in their lives.

Provide any necessary training, resources, or materials that participants will need to engage in the event - For town hall meetings, a moderator will be helpful in guiding discussion. - For a call-in day, provide a call script to follow when contacting officials. - For a lobbying day, provide participants with key talking points and guidance on how to deliver effective messages.

Post-event follow up After the event, follow up with officials and participants to thank them for their time, reinforce messaging, and schedule additional engagements.