Auntie ABATE / “Cuz” Report

Dear Cuz— I feel guilty every time I see or hear ABATE of WI or one of the ABATE Officers tell me “that I need to call my legislators.” I really believe in helping to get the ABATE of WI job done, but truth is I’m chicken. I WANT to call them, but I think as soon as they answer the phone I’ll freeze up and not know what to say. Can you help this chicken “get across the road”?
Needs Help Crowing

Dear Crowing – well bless your heart for your membership and for wanting to help. Since Lobby Day is right around the corner, let’s cover making an appointment here first. …. “Ring, Ring”. Them: “Good morning, Senator X’s office.” Me “Good morning, this is (YOUR NAME HERE) and I live in (YOUR TOWN HERE). ABATE of Wisconsin is having their Lobby Day on February 17th and I’d like to make an appointment to visit with Senator X on that day.” Them: “One moment and let me see if the scheduler is in to take your call…” (short wait) “Yes she is, I’ll transfer you.” Me: “Thank you.” Scheduler: “Good morning how may I help you?” Me: “Hi. This is (YOUR NAME HERE) from (YOUR TOWN HERE) and as you may know ABATE of Wisconsin is having their Lobby Day on February 17th. I’d like to know if Senator X already has an ABATE Appointment I can sit in on or if Senator X does not, may I make a short appointment with them or someone on staff, to drop off the ABATE Materials about our issues.

Senator X did not already have an appointment made, and I was able to schedule one at 1:30 pm in their office. I told the scheduler that if other ABATE people called, they were welcome to join with me at the same appointment. Then I needed to give her my name and address (for the appointment log. They will be checking to see if you’re a constituent and if they have any history of topics you’ve contacted them about in the past). Also provide a phone number in case the appointment would need to be changed. I thanked the scheduler for their time. When I got off the phone, I sent Senator X’s staff member an email (you can find staff email address on the www.legis.wisconsin.gov site – you can find the phone number to call for the office on the same website) and thanked them for her help.
A very painless eight minutes.

If the scheduler is not in, you need to be prepared to be transferred to a Voicemail box. In that case, you can still follow the conversation here, but it will be one sided and you need to remember to leave a phone number for them to get back to you at. If you work during office hours, ask then to call during your lunch time (tell them what time is good) or tell them that you’ll be trying back during that time.

If you can’t go to Lobby Day but you want to support our issues, you can do that by calling your Senator and Assemblyperson’s office and doing much the same thing. They will answer and you will identify yourself (Name and Address). Tell the person that answers the phone that you are a member of ABATE of Wisconsin and that you can’t attend our Lobby Day due to work (or whatever reason you have) and that you’re just calling to let the legislator that although you can’t be there on February 17th, you’d like them to know that as a constituent you hope that they support the issues that will come to them on Lobby Day in the packet they get.

The person that answers the phone may take this information or they may transfer you to another staff person. Don’t be afraid, these office s have a small staff, and they’re all “just real people” with a job to do. Part of that job is to take information from the legislator’s constituents and relay that information on to the legislator. I’ve never talked to one that wasn’t helpful and polite. And remember YOU need to be polite right back to them. Depending on what issues are in front of the legislature, these staffers can have some pretty long days.

This “I can’t come to Lobby Day” call is very similar to a call supporting a particular piece of legislation (When ABATE of WI puts out a Call to Action.) In that case, you’d call – give your name and address and tell the person that picks up the phone that you’re calling about a Motorcycle Issue and ask to speak to the staff person that handles transportation. When you get to the person that says they can help you, just say something simple like,
“I’m calling to express support “or “I’m calling against” (WHATEVER THE BILL WAS CALLED IN THE ALERT.) The Alert will tell you if ABATE of Wisconsin is supporting the bill or against it. If you know more about the bill you can talk about it or you can stop right here… It wraps up the conversation nicely to add “as a member of ABATE of Wisconsin and a motorcyclist I’m supporting ABATE’s decision to (support or not support – whichever is correct) this legislation. Thank them for their time.

Be prepared to get a voicemail box. Leave a brief message, such as: “Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S___/AB___).” You will also want to briefly state reasons for your support or opposition and ask for your Senator’s or Representative’s position. Finish by clearly re-stating your name, address, and phone number.
Phone Call Done! And we thank you! You can do it! I know you can! Look the phone numbers up right now and put them in or by your phone so you’re all ready to go.

Still scared of the phone? You can send an email or letter. State at the beginning of your letter/email that you live in the legislator’s district and DO give your full name and voting address at the end of your letter. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, DO identify it accordingly (SB__ or AB__ or LRB___). State the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph. Address only one issue in each letter. Keep your letter short and to the point. Feel free to “copy and paste” the info from the ABATE Alert or newsletter article, but personalize it in some way, showing how the issue directly affects you if you can. Remember to thank your legislator for his/her support. Remember to never be negative! Remember the power of thank you!

So… are you ready to CROW! I hope so! For months, Legislative Chairman Steve Panten has been telling us we need to GET LOUD! You don’t need to YELL to do it, LOUD is NUMBERS. The more members that make the calls or show up at Lobby Day the LOUDER we are.

Cuz hopes she’ll see many of you at Lobby Day…
“Cuz”