Welcome!
Junior League of Atlanta Political Affairs Committee (PAC) members work directly with community partners to advocate for initiatives to improve women and children’s health, expand education, and provide support for women and children at risk. The committee is looking forward to an active political season and our community partners will be relying on your help
Sample Legislative Letter
Here is a sample letter format to follow when sending letters to legislative contacts: Word Format - PDF Format
Helpful Public Affairs Links
www.georgia.gov (Georgia state government website – information about all aspects of
Georgia government)
www.sos.state.ga.us (Georgia Secretary of State website – information about voter registration, election dates, elected officials and candidates, and poll locations
www.legis.state.ga.us (Georgia General Assembly website – information about our legislature)
www.congress.org (an easy site to identify and contact your elected officials at all levels of government
www.vote-smart.org (Project Vote Smart website – compiles information about candidates and elected officials, including biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances, and interest group ratings)
www.rockthevote.com (Register to vote online)
www.lwvga.org (Georgia’s chapter of the League of Women Voters)
www.childwelfare.net (Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic, a part of the Emory University School of Law)
www.statehealthfacts.org (Great website for Georgia statistics/policy – run by Kaiser – click on Georgia and follow links for information)
www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/house/downloads/downloads.htm (Download-able capitol and district addresses for the House)
www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/senate/mailinglabels.htm (Downloadable addresses for the Senate)
Being An Effective Advocate
Advocacy is simply defined as "the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea or policy; active support." If you've ever negotiated a raise, or debated an issue with a family member or friend, then you have advocacy experience!
There are some tips and tools you can use to be an effective legislative advocate, including:
- Educate yourself: Learn and understand the arguments for and against a cause or issue. Then you can take a position from an informed perspective. The Current Issues and Resources sections can help you become more informed.
- Educate others: Once you are informed, yo can truthfully explain your position to others. Share the pros and cons, then explain why you hold the position you do.
- Don't initiate a battle or conflict when the same change can be initiated through a consensus approach.
- In the case of Junior League, some advocacy strategies could affect the organization's tax exempt status. Make sure you are representing the League appropriately. Review the League's mission and values.
- Get to know candidates and incumbents. Educate them and treat them fairly.
- Find out who and get to know those charged with executing the laws and provide assistance when possible; prod them when needed.
- Most importantly, don't ever underestimate your power as a well-informed and determined individual. Every vote and every voice does count!
Ready to take the next step and talk to your legislator? Information is key to advocacy, so once you are informed, you're ready to meet with or contact the legislator or other political figure relevant to your cause. In Georgia, we have a "citizen legislature," meaning that a state representative or senate position is not a full-time job. Our legislature meets for 40 days each year, beginning the second Monday in January. You can find legislative contact information at www.legis.state.ga.us, the official web site for the Georgia Legislature.
- Begin by asking the legislator what he or she thinks about a bill, issue or budget item
- Ask if there is a bill for which he or she is trying to get support, and if he or she is familiar with the bill or issue about which you are contacting them.
- Know your issue, including the bill number, so that you can reference it if needed
- Be direct and honest: say why the bill/issue/budget item is important to you and to his or her constituents. Legislators are truly interested in the thoughts of the voters, and rely on individuals like you to provide information and opinions
- If you don't know an answer, offer to find out and get back to him or her. Then follow up.
- Even if your legislator doesn't agree with you, be courteous, and agree to disagree. Use the opportunity to move to another topic.
- Write a thank you note thanking the legislator if he or she does agree with you.
- Thank all legislators that you speak with for their time.
Political Affairs Action Alerts Archive
The Junior League of Atlanta sends periodic "Political Affairs Action Alerts" to its members who have requested to receive them. These alerts notify members about upcoming legislative actions which may positively or adversely affect the mission of the Junior League of Atlanta.
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