Contact Legislators

Use your voice — ask your elected officials to take legislative action to help end the genocide in Darfur. Contact them prior to votes on important legislation. Learn about their performance on previous legislation. Let them know that you care about the way they vote. Stay updated on the progress of current legislation. Encourage others in your community to take action with you.

Set up a meeting: Washington, DC

1. Do your homework. Research the performance of your elected official at the Darfur Scorecard, and learn about pending legislation.
2. Go to DarfurScores.org. Type in your zip code in the left-hand column.
3. Select one of your elected officials to access their page for address and phone number information for their Washington office.
4. Call the office and ask to speak to the scheduler.
5. Tell them your name and that you are a concerned constituent interested in speaking with your senator or representative about the situation in Darfur.
6. Bring other constituents. Reach out to your community for support.
7. Hold your meeting — engage, inform and urge.
8. Follow-up with a phone call or letter to recap the meeting. Thank your elected official.

Set up a meeting: in-district

1. Research the performance of your elected official at the Darfur Scorecard, and learn about pending legislation.
2. Go to www.Congress.org. Type in your zip code in the left-hand column.
3. Select one of your elected officials to access their page for district address and phone number information. Find the office that is the most convenient for you.
4. Call the office and ask to speak to the scheduler.
5. Tell them your name and that you are a concerned constituent interested in speaking with your senator or representative about the situation in Darfur.
6. Bring other constituents. Reach out to your community for support.
7. Hold your meeting — engage, inform and urge.
8. Follow-up with a phone call or letter to recap the meeting. Thank your elected official.

Call

1. Do your homework. Research the performance of your elected official at DarfurScores.org, and learn about pending legislation.
2. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE, enter your zip code, select one of your elected officials, and listen to up-to-date talking points. You will then be connected directly to the office of your elected official. To view written talking points and additional information please visit www.1800genocide.com.
3. When you are connected, ask to speak with the legislative assistant for foreign affairs.
4. Tell them your name, that you are a constituent concerned about genocide Darfur, and make your ask. The hotline will give you talking points before connecting you and www.1800genocide.com is available with written talking points.
5. Encourage others to take action with you.

Mail a letter

1. Do your homework. Research the performance of your elected official at DarfurScores.org, and learn about pending legislation.
2. Go to DarfurScores.org. Type in your zip code in the left-hand column.
3. Select one of your elected officials to access their page to learn about their legislative efforts related to Darfur.
4. Develop a small set of talking points based upon the member's performance and current legislation.
5. Mail the letter to your elected officials district office. To find mailing address information for your elected official's office in your state go to www.Congress.org. (We do not recommend mailing letters to the Washington, DC office due to the security process that all mail must undergo.)
6. Encourage others to take action with you.
7. Note: letters are most effective when they are hand-written.