Mark your calendars for Lobby Day 2004! -
March 2, 2004 at the State Capitol.

The Iowa Environmental Council has invited several organizations to
participate in this annual event. Please plan to attend and inform and
educate our legislators on current environmental policy issues.  Sierra Club
will have a display table, along with other member organizations.

The Council has reserved Room 116 near the Senate Chambers for press
conference and reception events from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Members are invited to attend and meet with their legislators. 2004 is a
critical year for environmental issues in Iowa. Be a part of your government
and help make a difference for all Iowans. Show your support on March 2!

We will wrap up Lobby Day at the Capitol at approximately 4:00.

Also keep in mind the Legislative Reception following the day's events at
the Capitol. Our Legislative Reception will be at Metro Market, from 5:00 to
7:00 p.m. at the corner of Woodland Avenue and MLK PKWY in Des Moines.

Communicating with policy makers - "Five Ways to Be"

Whether you do it in person, by phone or letter, communication is the key to
being an effective advocate.

1. Be brief. - A legislator's time is limited.  So is yours.
2. Be appreciative. - Acknowledge past support and convey thanks for current
action. It is their job to represent you, and its often a thankless task.
Show them your appreciation.
3. Be specific. - Give examples that relate to the issue at hand- especially
if you're meeting with your local legislator. Stories get remembered better
than mere data.
4. Be informative. - Give reasons why a measure should be supported, opposed
or amended. This is where your stories and testimony come in handy also.
5. Be courteous. - Ask. Do not threaten or demand, rather be assertive -yet
polite. We learned as children to say "please" and "thank you." Keep this
rule in mind.

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To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see:
 http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp