{"id":449,"date":"2022-01-05T22:04:13","date_gmt":"2022-01-05T22:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/pennsylvania\/resources\/giving-testimony\/"},"modified":"2022-01-05T22:04:13","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T22:04:13","slug":"giving-testimony","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/pennsylvania\/resources\/giving-testimony\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving Testimony"},"template":"","class_list":["post-449","resource","type-resource","status-publish","hentry","resource_type-guide"],"acf":{"details":{"summary":"One of the many ways citizens can interact with their government is through giving testimony. Citizen engagement is important to the legislative process and engaging lawmakers can help you have an impact on the laws and policies that affect your life. Committees rely on citizens to offer different perspectives on the issues they\u2019re considering.\u00a0","featured_image":"","resource_type":225,"authors":null,"related_issues":false,"related_work":false,"location":41},"sidebar":{"helper_enable_sidebar":false,"helper_media_contact":{"heading":"Media Contact","manually_enter_person":false,"person":null,"name":"","role":"","phone":"","email":""},"helper_links_downloads":{"heading":"Links & Downloads","links":null}},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of the many ways citizens can interact with their government is through giving testimony. Citizen engagement is important to the legislative process and engaging lawmakers can help you have an impact on the laws and policies that affect your life. Committees rely on citizens to offer different perspectives on the issues they\u2019re considering.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While it can be nerve-wracking to sit before a state legislative committee or other legislative body, with good preparation and a strong argument you can effectively communicate your positions and advocate for your community.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are some tips to help you prepare and deliver your testimony.<\/span>\r\n<h2><b>Before the Hearing<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<h3><b>Do your homework<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Read the hearing announcement carefully for times, dates, and locations.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make sure you know the registration and submission requirements for both oral and written testimony. If you don\u2019t know, you can contact the committee\u2019s staff. (Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legis.state.pa.us\/cfdocs\/CteeInfo\/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=H\">here for PA state House Committees <\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legis.state.pa.us\/cfdocs\/CteeInfo\/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=S\">here for PA state Senate committees<\/a>.)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>Do your research<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Research the issue as thoroughly as you can. Is there current law that addresses this issue or is this something new? If there is a bill proposed, what changes would it make to the law?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Research the committee members, including the chairperson, and make sure you know how to pronounce their names. What, if any, are their current positions on this proposal?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Who proposed the legislation or asked for a hearing? What is their background or interest in this?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>Write your testimony<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whether you are giving oral testimony or submitting written comments, the outline will be the same: greet the committee, thank them for allowing you to testify, introduce yourself, state your argument, state what you want them to do (vote for\/against the bill, amend the bill, etc), and thank them again.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Clearly state your position. \u201cI support\u201d or \u201cI oppose\u201d followed by the bill number or the issue at hand.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Develop 2-3 key points that you want to share with the committee.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make it factual and accurate. Use good information from reputable sources to build your argument.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keep your remarks simple and straightforward. Don\u2019t use too much jargon or too much data. Use layperson\u2019s terms to explain the issue.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make it brief. Limit your testimony to a single issue and keep it under the time limit for oral testimony or one to two pages for written testimony.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make it personal. Explain to the committee why you are speaking out on this issue. Are you an expert in this field? A community member directly impacted by this issue? Explain how the issue impacts you, your family, your community, your business, etc.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Suggest positive ways to address the issue<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>IMPORTANT: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Practice, practice, practice! You don\u2019t have to memorize your entire testimony, but you do want to know it well enough that you can look at the committee members as you speak. This will also help you make sure your testimony is within the time limit (usually 2-5 minutes\u2026check the announcement or call ahead to make sure).<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the committee requests that remarks be submitted before oral testimony, make sure that you do that promptly.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>At the Hearing<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<h3><b>Dress professionally.<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Business attire is standard and expected when you\u2019re giving testimony. Think \u2018job interview at a bank\u2019. Double check the dress code if you\u2019re unsure.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid wearing perfume or cologne, especially if you\u2019re going to be in a small room.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>Pay attention to the entire hearing.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It can help you to know what other testifiers are saying. Don\u2019t repeat what other speakers have said; if others have already made the points you want to make, acknowledge that and urge the committee to take the appropriate action.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>Use formal titles and be respectful.<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Address the head of the committee (Mr. or Madam Chair or Chairperson).<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019t argue, yell, or be rude.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make sure to thank the committee for the opportunity to testify.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>Deliver your remarks.<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Print out your remarks on paper. You don\u2019t want a technical problem to derail your testimony.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Speak clearly and at a normal rate. If you feel yourself rushing, take a beat to compose yourself and continue.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Address the letter to the head of the committee<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cMr.\/Madam Chair\u201d or, if you\u2019re addressing\u00a0 the Speaker of the House, \u201cMr.\/Madam Speaker\u201d<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thank the committee for the opportunity to submit testimony.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stay within the time limit and if you\u2019re asked to stop talking, stop talking.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be prepared to answer questions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI don\u2019t know, I\u2019ll have to get back to you on that\u201d is a legitimate answer. Make sure you follow up with that information.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>After the Hearing<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be sure to follow up on any requests for information within a week.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A hand-written thank-you note, even to legislators who hold opposing opinions, can be very effective in fostering a good working relationship with that legislator.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you spoke as a member of an organization or group, report back to them and let them know how it went.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor information on giving Communities of Interest redistricting testimony, click the button below."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"<a class=\"button1\" role=\"button\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/CC-Community-Testimony-Worksheet_National.pdf\">Giving Communities of Interest Redistricting Testimony <\/a> <a class=\"button1\" role=\"button\"  href=\"\"><\/a> "}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Testimony Template (for oral or written testimony)<\/span><\/h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Testimony [<\/span><b>in support of\/in opposition to<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">]:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">[<\/span><b>Bill Number<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">] [<\/span><b>Bill Title<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">]<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Submitted by:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">[<\/span><b>Your Name<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">]<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">[<\/span><b>Your address<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">]<\/span><\/p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dear Mr.\/Madam Chairperson and members of the [<\/span><b>committee name<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">]:<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of\/in opposition to [<\/span><b>bill number<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">].<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My name is [<strong>your name<\/strong>] and I am [<strong>tell them who you are: citizen, expert in your field, concerned parent, someone directly affected by the proposal, etc. Identify any organizations you are representing and any official positions you hold<\/strong>].\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThis issue is important to me because [<strong>relate your personal reasons<\/strong>]. <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I [<strong>support\/oppose bill number<\/strong>] because [<strong>give your 2-3 supporting facts\/arguments<\/strong>].<\/span>\r\n\r\nI believe the best way to address this situation is to [<strong>suggest positive ways to address the issue<\/strong>].\r\n\r\nI appreciate the opportunity to testify about this issue before this committee, and I look forward to your questions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;"}}]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - 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