- Think about your message and what kind of decision maker you’d like to reach with it.
- Decide how you will reach out to your identified decision maker, and make your pitch!
- Reflect on how the experience went for you, and let us know what you did.
The Ask
So, you want to make a difference with leaders in your community but aren’t sure where to begin? We’ve put together this step-by-step guide to set you up for success when reaching decision makers.
Whether it is to talk about the intersectionality of vaping nicotine and mental health, the environment, or social justice these steps can be used as guidelines for getting started.
Who is a decision maker?
A decision maker is anyone in some kind of position of power to make change for others. Whether it is your soccer coach, the principal of your school, or an elected official - all of these people have the power to make change at some level.
Getting Started
Step 1: Think about your message.
What are you trying to say? Is there a specific request that you have of the decision makers you’ll reach out to, like taking a certain action on a topic?
Step 2: Identify a Decision Maker.
- Below are some categories of decision makers that you can start with, but it is just that - a starting point. We encourage you to think creatively about people you consider decision makers.
- Local Leaders
- School board/school district officials
- Your school principals
- Local mental health and treatment facilities
- Local/State Elected Officials and Office Holders
- Attorneys General (AGs)
- Mayors - Google search for “your city or town” + “mayor”
- City Council Members - Google search “find your member of city council” + your city or town
- State Legislature members - find your representatives by entering your address here
- Federal Agencies and Government
- Agencies – SAMHSA, FDA, HHS
- Find your Senators and Representatives by entering your address here. You can then head to their websites to find their contact information.
- Health Officials
- Advocacy Organizations
- Some examples include Sunrise Movement, Patagonia, Black Lives Matter, Do Something, and the Trevor Project.
- Some examples include Sunrise Movement, Patagonia, Black Lives Matter, Do Something, and the Trevor Project.
Step 3: Think about your method of outreach.
There are many different ways that you can reach a decision maker. From calling their office, sending an email, sending them snail mail, or tagging them on social media, the options are almost limitless. Think about what makes the most sense for you, the time you have to take action, and the message you want to deliver.
Below are the current ways you can reach decision makers directly through our site:
- Email your state Attorney General asking them to remove illegal tobacco products from shelves
- Email Members of Congress asking that they push the Department of Health and Human Services on recent cuts to tobacco-related programs
Step 4: Make the ask!
Through whichever way you’ve decided to reach your decision maker, go for it! Remember that as their constituent, they want to hear from you and why this issue matters to you. Keep that in mind when you are making your appeal, whether it’s over the phone, email, social or elsewhere.
Tips & Reporting Back
- Make your outreach to decision makers personal. Explain why this issue is important to you and why their support matters.
- Provide context. You want to send a strong message that tobacco and vaping nicotine are mental health, social justice, and environmental issues.
- Be respectful and offer yourself as a resource. If you're asked any questions you can't answer, point them to research and resources on truthinitiative.org.
- Follow up with your contact with any new information, and be sure to send a thank you for their time.
Once you have made contact, report back here what you've done, what you've accomplished, and share any lessons you've learned along the way. Once you've reported back, you'll be entered for the chance to win a Changemaker Award, which can be up to $500!