Skip to Main Content Area

Advocacy Tool Kit

The Asheville Chamber has designed the following tool kit to answer frequently asked questions and serve as a resource to allow your voice to be heard.

How can my voice be heard?

Become educated and vote on issues.
Encourage family, friends, and employees to register and vote.
Contact your Legislature by phone, email, letter, or visit
Educate your friends, family, coworkers, and employees on issues
Testify at City Council and County Commission hearings
Volunteer on a political campaign

Election Information

How do I register to vote?

It is critical that you ensure your voter registration is up-to-date and correct. Criteria to vote:

U.S. citizenship
At least 18 years old at the time of the election
A county resident at least 30 days prior to the election
Not a convicted felon

You can always register to vote at county election departments, local banks, any local DMV and most political party headquarters. Click here for more information.

How do I find out about elections in my area?

In addition to primary and general elections there are special elections from time-to-time. You can find election results, analyses and special election information here.

Do Your Research

How do I find further information on city, county, state and federal government?

How do I research a bill?

The Library of Congress is a great place to track federal legislative action. Here you can search bills by bill number or by key words.
The N.C. General Assembly website allows you to track N.C. legislation by bill number or by keywords.

Communicating with Elected Officials

How do I communicate with elected officials?

Find an up-to-date list of elected officials by clicking here.

Many business owners do not realize how a simple letter, phone call or email can influence legislators. This is especially true if you are able to initiate a letter writing campaign. Educating employees and other business owners on issues that are important to your company and that are political motivators is highly effective. The following tips will help you persuade legislators and make your communications more effective.

Tips for communicating with elected officials:

Identify yourself. Make sure the legislator is aware that you live or do business in his/her district.
Personalize your letter. Elected officials need to know how the legislation will affect your business.
Be specific. Refer to bill numbers whenever possible.
Ask for the legislator's support or opposition.
Keep to the facts. Avoid emotional arguments.
Keep communication respectful. Never threaten your legislator.
Use your letterhead. Sign the letter and provide your contact information.
Remember that in some cities, the elected official is unpaid and often has another job or has his or her own business.

Testifying on Issues

How do I testify on issues I care about?

At some point, you may want to provide testimony during a City Council or County Commission hearing. We can help prepare you for such an event, if you are testifying on an issue for which the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is taking a stand. Please notify us in advance when you are planning to provide testimony at 828.258.6122 or email us.

When should I provide testimony?

We at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce believe that our members can provide a unique and personal view on issues. In certain circumstances, we may call upon you to directly represent your company and to provide testimony.

How do I schedule a time to submit testimony?

If you wish to testify on an issue, you can visit the county, city or state web site to see where your issue falls on the agenda. Show up early for Council or County Commission hearings, and allow yourself plenty of time. Often hearings can go long or short, so you should be prepared to testify earlier than you had intended or later than you anticipated.

Do I need to sign up to testify?

Yes. Generally, there will be a sign-up sheet or card outside or just inside the chambers. Provide all of the information required on the card.

How do I address the elected officials?

Your opening remarks should always contain a formal introduction to the body, your name, and whom you are representing. Here is an example: "Thank you Mr. (Madame) Chair and Commissioner [for City Council: "Thank you Mr. (Madame) Mayor, Mr. (Madame) Vice-Mayor, and members of City Council.] My name is (insert name) and I am here today representing (insert company)." You can begin your testimony after a formal introduction is made. You will have two to three minutes depending on where you are speaking. Many people feel more comfortable reading a prepared statement. This enables you to touch on specific points you might forget once you are sitting at the testimony table. Remember to speak slowly, clearly and into the microphone provided. Want to see how you did? You can watch yourself on your local public access channel; air times are provided by the clerk.

What if they ask me questions?

Sometimes members of the Commission or Council will ask you a question about your testimony. The proper response to any member asking a question is to acknowledge the person asking the question and then answer the question: "Thank you Mr. (Madame) Chair..." Everyone gets nervous, even seasoned professionals. Our best advice is to be calm, and to stick to your notes or prepared statement.

Contact Officials