The role of elected officials is to represent the needs of their communities. MS activists must connect with them, share the stories of MS and communicate their needs. If given the opportunity to speak with an elected official, be brief and direct: what is multiple sclerosis, how has it impacted you and how would a policy change enhance or hinder your quality of life until we end MS forever. Couple your personal, real life experiences with facts like the financial impact of MS to explain the issue or opportunity.
Write, email (sample letter) or call
Schedule a meeting - you don’t have to go to Washington, D.C. Every member of Congress has one or more offices in their local district. Make an appointment or just stop by. Click here for advice to prepare for an in district meeting. If you’ve had a meeting, we’d love to hear about it. Let us know who you met with, the issue you discussed, and how they responded.
Attend a Town Hall Meeting - Members of Congress hold regular town hall meetings or listening sessions with constituents in their districts. Usually these are held during Congressional recess. Call your legislator’s district office and ask about upcoming town hall meetings. Before attending a meeting, write out the question(s) you want to ask. If you want to talk through an MS issue, call your local advocacy staff. If you attend a meeting, we’d love to hear about it.