On a radio show this evening (Sunday) I heard a former senior staffer of a Congressman give the pecking order of contacting Congressmen (this includes Senators).
1. The most effective means of contact is a fax. This will always reach at least a senior staffer if not the boss.
2. The next most effective is a letter to the Washington office. This will always reach a senior staffer and sometimes the boss.
3. The next most effective is a phone call to the Washington office. A senior staffer will at least be made aware of your call and may pass it up to the boss (the information, not the call itself).
4. The next most effective is a phone call to a local or district office. A summary of the call may or may not be passed along to Washington and may or may not be seen by a senior staffer.
5. The least effective is e-mail. The only way this will ever reach the boss is in the form of a summary. We had X number of e-mail messages on this issue, Y were in favor and Z were opposed.
Take this as information for future reference. As for me, I don't think I'll be sending many e-mail messages unless I also at least call Washington.
Bob Pruden, Secretary, KC3