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 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. Let’s see what I can do to help you be a little less nervous about calling when we need you. Since Lobby Day is right around the corner, let’s cover making an appointment.

“Ring, Ring”

Them: “Good morning, Senator X’s office.”

Me: “Good morning, this is “YOUR NAME” and I live in “YOUR TOWN”. ABATE of Wisconsin is having their Lobby Day on March 21st 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, this is Ann, how may I help you?”

Me: “Hi Ann. This is “YOUR NAME” from “YOUR TOWN” and as you may know ABATE of Wisconsin is having their Lobby Day on March 21^st. I’d like to know if Senator X already has an ABATE Appointment I can sit in on or if she does not, I would like to make a short appointment with her or someone on staff to drop off the ABATE Materials about our issues.

Ann: Oh, we LOVE it when ABATE is in town. Let me check. (short wait.)

Senator X did not already have an appointment made, and I was able to schedule one at 1:30 pm in her office. I told the scheduler that if other ABATE people called, they were welcome to join me at the same appointment. Then I gave her my name and address one more time ( 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) and a phone number in case the appointment would need to be changed. I thanked her for her time, and she said she was looking forward to ABATE coming to Madison again.

When I got off the phone I sent Ann 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 her for her help.

A very painless ten minutes. Easy!

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 above, but it will be one sided and be sure to leave a phone number for them to contact you.

Remember that if you are a first-time visitor, we have ABATE members that can help you through your first Lobby Day. If you are not into public speaking, or are tongue-tied when speaking with your legislator, we have members that can do that too. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We are brothers and sisters after all.

Your ever loving “Cuz”