UC Student Association

The official voice of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at University of California campuses.

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UCSA Advocacy 101

While UCSA maintains a day-to-day presence in Sacramento, student involvement through their student association is crucial both in the Capitol and in the District Offices. Here is what you can do to help.

Contact Your State Legislator

Before you inform yourself about the issues, it is important to know who your elected representative is. Whether you search the member who represents your campus, or the member who represents your home district, you can find their contact information here to write a letter, call or visit their office.

Meeting with Your Legislator

State legislators often meet with their constituents in the district the legislator represents, either through district office visits or through community “Town Hall” events. Meeting with your legislator through these avenues are an effective way to communicate with legislators or staff. Meeting with staff is just as important as meeting with members themselves.

Before your meeting, be sure to…

  • Learn about the Member you are meeting, and the status of the legislation/issue you will discuss. You can use the Resources link on the left to assist you.
  • Plan what you will say and ensure your message is consistent.
  • Develop a script that is brief and to the point.
  • Establish roles within your group and develop a strategy.
  • Expect to meet for approximately 15 minutes. Arrive early, and leave on time. Meetings can end early if agenda items are completed. Everyone appreciates short meetings.
  • Expect scheduling changes. Be sure to be as flexible as possible.

During the meeting…

  • Remain courteous and engaged.
  • Share specific examples pertinent to your campus regarding the chosen legislation/issue of the meeting.
  • Be sure to share your own personal experience as a UC student. Do not lie about your experiences.
  • Connect the legislation/issue you are meeting about to any relevant UCSA campaign.
  • Leave a fact sheet or any other pertinent materials with the legislator or their staff to remind them of your visit and position on the issues. You can contact UCSA staff for additional information.

After the meeting…

  • Be sure to thank the elected official or staff member for their time.
  • Debrief with your group about the outcome of the meeting outside the office or in a separate location.
  • Be sure to follow up the meeting with a thank you letter that reiterates the purpose of your visit. Additionally, include any information that was requested by the legislator or staff.
  • Long-term, develop an ongoing relationship with the elected official’s staff.

If you will be writing a letter…

  • Be sure to send it in at the right time; not too early, and definitely not late. Sending it via electronic format is easiest. You can find the email or web form on a legislator’s website.
  • Be sure to limit the length of the letter, and focus on the subject of the letter.
  • As in a visit, be sure to include personal experiences and campus situations as they relate to the subject of the letter, and be sure to be factually accurate.
  • Be direct in your ask for support or action from the legislator.
  • Be sure to include your name and contact information.