How You Can Be an Effective Advocate

Advocacy is the process of using your voice effectively to promote change. Change can be at the federal, state or local level. Advocacy can include using your influence to guide legislation in the New Jersey Legislature (General Assembly or Senate) or effect regulations or policy at a state agency.

To be a successful advocate, you need a precise message. A good message will define the issue, explain the ramifications and recommend a specific course of action for a public official to take.

Problem: Many people in New Jersey cannot afford the price of a decent home.

Ramifications: If the state government doesn't do something to create more affordable housing and help New Jerseyans find reasonably priced homes, many people will be forced to leave our state. If companies cannot find or retain employees because workers cannot afford to live here, New Jersey will lose valuable jobs and revenues to other states. That will hurt business, the economy and the overall quality of life.

Solution: Please support the Homes for New Jersey campaign and the recommendations outlined in our "Within Reach: The Homes for New Jersey Housing Action Plan.".

There are several ways you can act on issues that are important to you. Begin by knowing whom to talk to. Contact us at 609-393-3752, ext. 25, info@homesfornj.com, or go to http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/njmap210.html to find your elected officials. Below are the various ways you may contact public officials:

Nothing beats a personal meeting with a legislator. Face time with them means you know that your message gets to them, and it gives you a chance to gauge how well the message was received. However, it can be very difficult to get time with a State Senator or Assembly member.

Another good way to deliver a message is to meet with legislative staff. Meeting with the right staff member often is more effective than meeting with the legislator. Remember, just because the staff is young, does not mean they are uninformed.

If you are considering a visit to a legislator, you can contact us at 609-393-3752, ext. 16, or by e-mail at acohen@hcdnnj.org. We can assist you with information on issues, talking points, protocol and other information that will make for a successful visit to the district office or New Jersey State House.

Communicating with your elected officials by writing a letter is still an excellent way to contact them. Try to be concise and summarize the key points in one page. Use your own personal experience to explain why a particular issue is important to you. It is equally important to include a return address and or telephone number where you can be reached. When contacting your legislator, please remember to be polite, professional, and research your issue.

The Legislative Information and Bill Room (LIBR) provides information to legislators, legislative staff, governmental agencies, the news media and the public. Common queries pertain to legislative district contact information, legislative action, legislative meeting schedules, other contact information and explanations of legislative procedures. The toll-free number is 800-792-8630. The LIBR can also be reached at 609-292-4840. You may not be connected with your legislator right away. Do not let this be a deterrent. Persistence is a key factor in advocacy! Also, the New Jersey Legislature Web site at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us is an excellent source of information.

An e-mail is a quick way to send a message to your legislator. The New Jersey Legislature Web site at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us has a full listing of e-mail addresses for legislators. All you have to do is click the e-mail button and you can e-mail your official on a subject of your choice. It's that simple.

Contacting your legislators to encourage them to take a specific action or vote your way on an issue is a good first step, but it is only half the process. If your legislators decide to endorse Homes for New Jersey or vote in support of our issues, send them a thank you note and mention that you will share the news of their support and how they voted with your colleagues. If they voted against our issues, send them a note, politely expressing your disappointment in their vote and asking them to explain why they voted against our issues. Be sure to let the legislators know that you will let your colleagues know they voted against their interests.

Read our Homes for New Jersey e-mail updates on a regular basis. You can also go to our Web page at http://www.homesfornj.com. Or feel free to give us a call at 609-393-3752, ext. 25.