__ HOW TO GET INVOLVED __

There are many ways to get involved.

Jessica Craven is an excellent resource for civic engagement. Follow her newsletter, "Chop Wood, Carry Water" 

for daily actions along with scripts, and insights on political advocacy.

https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/ 

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Attend local rallies, protests and demonstrations sponsored by TACT and other organizations.

Visit the TACT events calendar page for for upcoming meetings, local rallies, demonstrations and other events

 https://tactindivisible.org/rallies

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  Join a local Indivisible group.

Find an Indivisible group near you  https://indivisible.org/get-involved/find-a-group/

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Write and send postcards.

Thank you to everyone who’s written postcards. 

We hold regular postcard parties and have mailed thousands this year alone.  We carefully research up and down-ballot elections and pick one or two each month. We’ve also written to voters across the country in support of local elections.  Contact Diana at woodswalker62@proton.me to find out about the current campaign and to pick up addresses and a script. Gather with like-minded people to chat, pick up lists and scripts and write postcards. Thanks to donations, postcards and stamps are often available at no cost for those who need them.  Pick up supplies at one of our postcard parties or make a donation to help in our efforts. If you have friends or family members who want to join our efforts, more writers are always welcome.  

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Help raise awareness by joining a Visibility Brigade near you.

Visibility Brigade members create and display public messages on overpasses, Be Brave Parade caravans and other public spaces to raise awareness about our national crisis and support democracy. There are hundreds of Visibility Brigade groups across the country. In Connecticut there are 13 groups. Learn more here  https://www.visibilitybrigade.com/group-directory 

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Locate your elected officials.

Members are encouraged to contact members of Congress, state legislators and/or local officials to demand action on pieces of legislation or other concerns. You can use this link to locate them.

-https://portal.ct.gov/sots/election-services/find-your-town-clerk-registrar-and-elected-officials/us-senators-and-representatives - 

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Advocate for legislation.

Your participation in the legislative process is important and your testimony guides lawmakers in creating responsive policy solutions to the problems facing our state. The Connecticut General Assembly is making it easier and more convenient than ever for you to share your thoughts and track legislation through technology. 

Legislative committees hold hybrid public hearings during the legislative session to receive testimony from the public. This means people have four options to testify: in-person in a hearing room, through a virtual meeting platform called Zoom, via phone through Zoom, or submitting written testimony through the committee website. 

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Call your representatives.

Calling is the gold standard. Emails still count, but are not as effective as a ringing phone. Express your stance on key issues. Consider calling House and Senate Democrats to thank them for their votes and encourage continued creative action to reverse what is happening at the capital. The information below will help guide you on how to participate in the legislative process and have your voice heard: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/content/yourvoice.asp 

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Use the 5 Calls app.

The 5 Calls app is a powerful tool that helps you to stay informed about key issues, and to help you find your representatives and make calls efficiently. It provides scripts and guidance for impactful advocacy, including testimony at the State House. Download it to streamline your activism and ensure your voice is heard.    https://5calls.org/    

Here is the recommended process for making calls...

1.   Add Senators and House Reps to speed dial.

2.   Prepare for the call:

     - State your full name, complete address (including zip code)

     - Clearly reference the bill name or action (vote yes, vote no, thank them,

    netc.)

3.  Ensure your call is logged:

     - The best staffers will record your request in a database and tally the

    responses.

   - If they don’t ask for your information, they are likely not recording so           

    politely insist on providing it.

4. Ask for follow-up:

      - Example: 'When can I expect a response from the congressman?'

      - (Example: We received an email from Joe Courtney explaining his vote

        on the Laken Reilly bill, etc.)

5. One issue per call is most effective.

      - Multiple issues will not all be logged due to time constraints.

6. Leverage coordinated calling for impact.

       - Agree on a specific time to call as a group to show urgency.

7. Remember, all representatives, Republican or Democrat, pay attention      

    to calls.

       - They may not vote as desired, but persistent outreach influences

      internal discussions.

      - No politician likes an angry or vocal constituent.

      - Every politician appreciates hearing positive remarks from voters  

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Contact your members of Congress

     The Congressional Switchboard (House & Senate): 202-224-3121

 House Rep: Joe Courtney - (202) 225-2076 https://courtney.house.gov/contact

 Senate: Chris Murphy - (202) 224-4041 https://www.murphy.senate.gov/contact

  Senate: Richard Blumenthal – (202) 224-2823 https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/contact/write-to-senator-blumenthal

 House Rep. John Larson  202-225-2265

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Contact your State Representatives

   Senator: 19th District

      Cathy Osten (860) 240-0579

      https://www.senatedems.ct.gov/senator/cathy-osten/email-contact

   House: 31st District

     Jason Doucette (860) 240-8585

     Jason.Doucette@cga.ct.gov

   House: 13th District

     Jill Barry (860) 240-8585

     Jill.Barry@cga.ct.gov

   Senator: 4th District

     MD Rahman 860-240-5302 

     Rahman@senatedems.ct.gov

   House: 55th District

     Steve Weir (860) 240-8700 

     https://www.cthousegop.com/weir/contact/

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Other ways you can get involved  ...

• Community outreach 
• Volunteering at polls, local boards, and commissions
• Helping with voter registration
• Recruiting and organizing others to participate