Who represents me in the County, State and Federal Government?

Click here to locate the elected County Council members in your district and here to locate your elected officials in the Maryland General Assembly and U.S. Congress.

What do legislators want to know?

• Important needs on local levels
• Personal stories and examples
• The benefit of County, State and Federal monies to the community
• Constituents’ (taxpayers and voters in home districts) positions in the community
• How specific legislation will affect you

What are some tips on how to advocate for HCC?

Written Correspondence:

E-mail, letters and faxes are effective ways to give feedback to elected officials. Of the three types of communiqués, e-mail is the most preferred and popular means of communicating with legislators quickly. The following are some suggestions:

• Be sure to include your name, address, and telephone number in an e-mail message. Letters and faxes should also include the date.
• Only use personal computers and/or personal stationery to communicate with elected officials.
• Communicate your point clearly and accurately.
• Keep your letter to one page, addressing your position and support for HCC students. Use examples to support your points.
• Write a personal letter that conveys why the issue is important to you, how it affects your community, and why you, as a constituent, care.
• Thank the legislator for his or her consideration and respectfully request his or her support.
• Always be courteous and appreciative of the legislator’s time.

Phone Calls:

A phone call is another effective and convenient way to communicate with elected officials.

• Most incoming calls are answered by legislative aides, who welcome conveying your message. If your legislator is not available to speak with you, state your name, address, telephone number, the reason for your call, and a request for a response.
• When speaking with an elected official, identify yourself as well as your address. Very briefly, convey the reason for your call and your position. Respectfully, request the legislator’s support on an issue, as well as a response on his or her position. Be polite when the legislator responds and do not argue if he or she disagrees. Rather, restate your position in a respectful manner.
• After speaking with a legislator, follow-up with a thank-you e-mail or letter. Your letter may also restate your position.

Face-to-Face Visits:

Elected officials look forward to speaking directly with their constituents, and meetings are typically easy to schedule. To initiate a productive face-to-face visit try the following suggestions.

• Call the elected official’s office to make an appointment; appointments usually last about fifteen minutes.
• Be well-prepared for your meeting by being aware of all pertinent facts, any applicable statistics, and a clear understanding of both sides of the issue.
• State your position in a clear manner, keep comments brief, and summarize key points. Use talking points to stay on track if this is helpful to you.
• Be prepared to ask the elected official to take the action you are supporting.
• Listen actively and do not be argumentative if the legislator does not agree with you. Be respectful and ask him or her to consider your viewpoint after careful thought.
• Follow-up a face-to-face visit with a thank-you note and use the opportunity to restate your position.