Learn How To Make a Difference in Virginia
The Citizen Advocacy Toolbox is designed to provide all users easy-to-use information on 1. Understanding Government: Who's There and How Does it Work?. 2. Making Contact: Tips on Talking to Elected Officials. 3. Samples and Glossary.
Why Advocate?
Citizen advocacy is one of the most effective ways to create change. Environmental concerns affect everyone, including every elected official and government employee. Moreover, unlike many other important issues, the environment does not have its own voice. The environment requires concerned individuals to speak up for the rivers, mountains, animals and plants. Unless people and groups help lawmakers understand the importance of natural resources, those issues will not get the attention they require. Lawmakers cannot know what the environment needs unless we tell them.
While environmental advocacy groups play an important role in helping law makers to understand the importance of environmental issues, lawmakers truly want to hear from the people living and working in their districts. They want to hear what values, issues, and policies are important to their constituents. When individual citizens speak out on environmental issues, lawmakers can understand how these issues affect the communities they are elected to represent and protect. Citizen advocacy does not need to be complicated or technical- citizen advocacy is about letting lawmakers hear individual stories on important issues. Regardless of how politics may divide individuals or law makers, the environment is for all Virginians to enjoy! There is always room for common ground!
This tool box is designed to provide easy-to-use information on how to contact lawmakers as well as tips for effective citizen advocacy. Four easy to use sections help make citizen advocacy simple and straightforward. Through the information provided, you can start standing up for environmental issues today. You can provide Virginia’s environment the voice it needs in government.
Understanding Government: Who's There
Learn about the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch and conservation related agencies in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Understanding Government: How Does It Work?
Learn the ins and outs of Virginia legislature, the role of local government and how lobbying differs from citizen advocacy.
Making Contact: Tips on Talking to Elected Officials
Communicate with your official by scheduling a meeting, making a phone call or sending a letter. Your opinion matters.
Samples and Glossary
Get help starting a letter of concern to your official or writing a thank you note. Need help understanding terms used in this toolbox use the glossary in this section.
General Assembly 101
Want to find out what legislation passed/failed and what actions have taken place on a specific bill? A handy reference guide on communications and information sources for the General Assembly.