Advocacy Through Telephone Calls, Emails, and Social Media

Check out CAI's guide and tips for more effective advocacy through telephone calls, emails, and social networking.

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How to Advocate Effectively Virtually

Telephone Calls

Using our legislator lookup tool, you can simply enter your contact information to learn who your elected officials are at the federal and state levels. If you are unable to speak to the legislator directly, ask to speak with the staff member handling the issue. Make sure to keep the call brief by sticking to one topic and always be courteous.

  1. Lookup who your legislators are and how to get in touch with them using CAI's legislator lookup tool. Then dial the phone! Be prepared to speak to a person or leave a message.
  2. Identify yourself as a CAI member and a constituent living in (or working with) a community association in their district.
  3. Identify the issue, bill number, or name of the bill you want them to act on.
  4. State your position and how the bill/issue will personally affect you or your community. If you have a personal story or anecdote that is closely related to the issue, feel free to share it.
  5. If you are opposing a bill, offer positive suggestions or alternative strategies to resolve the issue(s).
  6. Be specific about the action you want from the legislator (support/oppose/amend the current legislation). This is your "ask" for the legislator.
  7. Request a letter of reply stating the legislator's position on the issue (provide your name, address, and telephone number).
  8. After the call, follow up with a personal message/email that reiterates your call and indicates that you also called the office to express your views.
  9. If appropriate, spread the word about the call to action! Post on social media and ask your network to also contact their legislators about the issue. Make sure to tag any legislator(s) you spoke to, tag @CAIadvocacy, and use hashtag #WeAreCAI.


Emails

  1. Identify your specific request/"Ask" in the subject line.
  2. Include the name and or number of the bill or issue and your position.
  3. Identify yourself as a constituent, resident, or professional working with a community association.
  4. Explain how the bill will affect you or your community. If you have a personal story or anecdote that is closely related to the issue, feel free to share it.
  5. Be specific about the action you want from the legislator (support/oppose/amend the current legislation).
  6. Make sure to link any pertinent CAI resources/fact sheets, data sources, etc. 
  7. Offer yourself and CAI as resources for legislators working on issues impacting the community association housing model.
  8. Carefully proof your email for grammar and spelling before sending.
  9. If appropriate, spread the word about the call to action! Post on social media and ask your network to also contact their legislators about the issue. Make sure to tag any legislator(s) you reached out to, tag @CAIadvocacy, and use hashtag #WeAreCAI.


Social Media

  • Be visual – share pictures from your meeting or a CAI infographic
  • Write like you talk – show your personality so that readers, including legislators, feel like they're talking to a real person.
  • Avoid politics (talking about elections, candidates and races). Stick to the topic at hand.
  • Tie your tweet to existing conversations or campaigns using hashtags (#) and handles (@).
  • Engage with other accounts. Retweet posts from other people or your legislators' offices and comment thoughtfully on what they're sharing.
  • Build an audience of followers who care about the same issue(s). Demonstrate your community association knowledge and credibility over time by sharing about your work with CAI and the myriad resources we have available. Share your background details that reinforce your expertise.