WHEN IT COMES TO INFLUENCING POLITICIANS , WE USE MULTIPLE TACTICS FOR THE BEST OUTCOME .
The FRONT LINE
PRESSURE POINTS
WHEN IT COMES TO INFLUENCING POLITICIANS , WE USE MULTIPLE TACTICS FOR THE BEST OUTCOME .
1 . Pressure from Members A personal visit , phone call , handwritten letter , social media comment and email , in that order , tell politicians where you stand on an issue . The key is effort and originality ; the more original , the more effective . Form emails are better than nothing , but the least effective . Change subject lines and add personal content to prewritten emails . Social media comments on posts or a politician ’ s page multiplies public awareness .
2 . Media Pressure Relationships with national and local media help draw attention to press releases that generate news coverage . From a member perspective , writing op-eds in your local and regional papers brings the impacts of a bill to light at a personal level . Some research has shown that opeds are more effective at swaying opinion than actual news stories .
3 . Pressure from Multiple Organizations A single organization and its members can generate change , but several organizations aligned against or in support of legislation provides more voice and power . The Sportsmen ’ s Alliance routinely works in partnership with other advocacy and conservation organizations when it comes to protecting your passions . If you belong to local conservation chapters , get them and those members involved .
4 . Peer Pressure A hierarchy exists within legislatures ; chamber speakers wield great power and influence , as do committee chairs . Bills can be called for a vote or quickly killed by these politicians ; reaching them is paramount . If you have a relationship with a legislator who can voice your position or offer an amendment , use it .
5 . Social Media Pressure Many news articles these days simply report social media reactions to something . This perceived groundswell interests legislators from a public-relations standpoint . Comment your support or displeasure on their posts , or tag them and comment in related posts .
6 . Pocketbook Pressure Money makes the world go ’ round , and that ’ s especially true in politics . Campaign donors , or potential donors , carry sway and can often cut through the formalities and speak frankly with a politician .
7 . Pressure from Local Officials Again , use political hierarchy to your advantage . Your mayor , city council members , county commissioners and the like can often cut through the front desk and speak directly to a state congressman ; they also garner more media attention and quotes in stories than average citizens .
8 . Business Pressure Business owners grab the attention of politicians for many reasons : economic health and impact , as well as connection to the public . If businesses start making noise , politicians pay attention . If you can engage sporting goods stores , bait shops or other businesses to get involved and call legislators , the issue takes on another level of magnitude .
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10 SPORTSMENSALLIANCE . ORG