Legislators hold town hall meetings to see what is on their constituents’ minds, often making a point of getting to every community they represent each year. Showing up with a prepared question (or signing up to ask a question at virtual town hall meetings) is a great way to get your legislator on the record about your issue and is generally a less intimidating environment than testifying in the Capitol.
You can find out when and where legislators are holding town hall meetings on their website and often on social media. Or, reach out to Sami Godlove to be notified about upcoming town halls in your area and opportunities to advocate for Oregon’s wild lands, wildlife, and waters.
At town halls, you may either need to sign up to ask a question, or be given a ticket that may be drawn at random.
- If you are called, you only get one chance to make your point or ask your question.
- Think about what you want to say or ask in advance. Prepare two or three key points. Write them down.
- Consider attending with friends or other advocates who can all make similar points. This also raises the chances of someone with your issue getting called on.
- If you get a chance to ask your question, be succinct and follow this general formula:
- Identify yourself with your name and where you live. If relevant, say what your profession, expertise, or interest in the issue is.
- Thank the elected official for a past action/stance related to your question.
- Present your position and your ask/question of the official. Include any personal experience or connection you have on the issue but keep it brief.
- State your requested action of the elected official (support, oppose, introduce, protect, etc.)
- Thank them for their time.
For example:
Hello Senator Merkley. My name is Sarah and as a parent and someone who loves hiking on our national forests, I’m concerned about climate change and the future of our public lands under the Trump administration. Forests, and especially mature and old-growth forests on our public lands, are one of our best natural solutions for capturing and storing carbon pollution. Yet last week the US House of Representatives passed a Republican bill called the “Fix Our Forests Act” that was aimed at weakening environmental protections and making it easier to log our public lands.
Senator Merkley, I urge you to continue your support for public lands protections, real solutions to wildfire and the climate crisis, and strong environmental laws by voting NO on this bill. Thank you for your attention to this important issue and for your time here today.
