Create a “phone tree”

Imagine this scenario:

Environment California’s top bill to cut global warming pollution is coming up for a vote in two days.  It will take 21 votes to win, but right now only 18 legislators are committed to voting “yes.”  17 legislators have said they will vote “no,” and another five are on the fence.  In order to win, Environment California will need to convince three additional legislators to support the bill.

What does Environment California do?  They call you!  That’s because you’re the captain of a “phone tree” in one of the districts where a legislator is still undecided but could be persuaded with support from her constituents.  As the captain of the phone tree, you are in charge of calling ten friends in your community to ask them to call to their legislator.

You may be surprised that even 10 calls will make a big difference in showing a legislator what her constituents think about an issue.

How do you create a phone tree?  It’s simple:

1. Find at least ten friends who are willing to make calls to their elected officials when there are important votes on global warming.
2. Create a spreadsheet with each person’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail.  Send a copy to Environment California (jason [at] environmentcalifornia.org).
3. When an important vote is approaching, Environment California will contact you and give you the details.  You will then “activate” the phone tree, confirming with each friend that they made the call.
4. Report the results (how many calls made, what the legislator’s office said when you called, etc.) to Environment California.
5. After the vote, let your friends know how your legislator voted.  Then call and thank the legislator if she voted right.