Each week the AIT community receives #TakeActionTuesday with tips for creating impactful change in their community and beyond. From new online tools, to pending policy updates, subscribe today to make sure you don’t miss these action-oriented recommendations.
Town hall meetings are public forums held by local, state, and national elected officials in order to discuss issues and upcoming legislation with constituents in their district. Town halls present an opportunity to form an in-person connection with your legislators and ask them to directly address the issues that matter most to you, without traveling to their offices. By showing up and speaking out at town halls, you can also raise awareness around specific issues amongst members of your community who may choose to lend their support in the future.
This #TakeActionTuesday, plan to participate in an upcoming town hall meeting near you.
- Find A Town Hall Meeting. Check your legislator’s official website or call their local office to see if they have any upcoming town halls planned in your district, and consider subscribing to their email list so you can stay informed on future events. If you are interested in attending a town hall hosted by your federal representatives, you can also see when they will be back home in their districts by checking the Senate and House of Representatives calendars.
- Know What To Expect. Town hall meetings usually begin with the legislator giving remarks on a range of recent and upcoming legislative issues and activities, and then calling for constituents’ questions. When attending a town hall, plan to arrive early to sign up to ask your question. By arriving early, you may even have time to speak with your representative or their staff members before the meeting begins, and this will give you time to connect to other advocates in your community.
- Prepare Your Question. Form your question ahead of time, and bring a written version to the meeting. When formulating your question, it is best to keep it as simple and succinct as possible. Questions that ask for a “yes” or “no” answer are ideal, and it is particularly powerful to tie your question to a personal experience or the experience of your community. For ideas on how to frame your personal story, check out our personal storytelling template.
- Follow Up. In the days following the town hall meeting, send a follow up email to your legislator’s office reminding them of your attendance at the town hall, the question you posed, and any additional resources or data related to the specific issue. Continue to follow up on any actions that your representative committed to making in the future, and thank them if/when they do take these actions.
How do you participate in town halls in your community? Tell us at info@aitogether.org!
