North Carolina -- meeting with Hagan staff set for 1/18 in Charlotte. Still need Burr

StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
in Individual State Discussions
Top Priority for NC: Set up Meetings

@wehopkins has secured a meeting with Senator Hagan's Charlotte Regional Liaison for 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 18th. They can accomodate up to 8 people. Contact @wehopkins to get on the list.  

We need more meetings! Keep trying to get meetings with NC senators: 

  • Call 336-333-5311 to meet with Senator Hagan, who is a co-sponsor of PIPA.
  • Call 828-350-2437 to meet with Senator Burr, who has no public position on PIPA yet.

Be polite and professional, and request a meeting on behalf of North Carolina for Internet Freedom (the folks in this forum) to discuss the PROTECT IP Act and SOPA.  Make it clear that you want to meet with the Senator during the January recess, and that you'll be bringing others from your group.  Have your calendar open when you call, so you can pick a time that works for you.  When finished, post a report-back. 

For example: "Hi, my name is ________, I'm with North Carolina for Internet freedom, and I'm calling to request a meeting with Senator _______ during the January recess.  The PROTECT IP vote is happening on January 24th, and I wanted the Senator to understand my concerns before the vote happens."


IMPORTANT: If you do get a meeting, post another message. That way others can join you in your meeting.  If there's any other specific information we should include in this post, message us and we can add it. 

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Comments

  • wehopkinswehopkins
    Has anyone contacted the NC senators yet?
  • wehopkinswehopkins
    Senator Hagan's office redirected me to their website, where I have placed an appointment request.
    I have left a message on the voice mail for Senator Burr's office.

    My meeting request with Senator Hagan:

    I would like to meet with Senator Hagan to represent North Carolina for Internet Freedom as a technical expert on the upcoming January 24th vote for the PROTECT IP act (S.968)
  • wehopkinswehopkins
    I have placed an identical scheduling request with Senator Burr's office through his website.
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @wehopkins - great work, keep us up to date on any replies you receive.
  • SSSSSS
    I also a sent an online request to Sentor Hagan.
  • kurononaka78kurononaka78
    Spoke to someone taking calls for Senator Burr. And was told my message was acknowledged. Is there anything else I can do?

  • kurononaka78kurononaka78
    Spoke to someone taking calls for Senator Burr. And was told my message was acknowledged. Is there anything else I can do?
  • wehopkinswehopkins
    Would it be most appropriate to hold multiple meetings or to join together in one?
    Senator Hagan's office sent me an automated reply indicating a 2-3 week lead time on new scheduling requests. I will follow up on Monday or Tuesday with her office, indicating the priority is to meet prior to the vote on the 24th.
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @wehopkins if other people have been submitting requests under the "NC for internet freedom" name, then they will likely suggest a group meeting. 
  • VashiduVashidu
    @wehopkins why would you urge HAGAN to vote for PIPA? were against the bill. thats what internet freedom is not for. against!
  • biru32biru32
    Once again, this boils down to one thing: Government trying to "take care of me" because I'm too dumb to make my own decisions. And once again I'm saying to the Government to spend my tax money on something that actually benefits society at large. PIPA does NOT! The internet is a great place to research anything that you may have a question about. If it's censored, this limits untold amounts of information sharing. Any who plays "god" to decide what gets censored?
  • millsholmillshol
    I am a Meredith College student in Raleigh and would like to join someone to meet with a Senator. Has anyone scheduled an official meeting? 
  • wehopkinswehopkins
    I have been referred to Senator Burr's counsel, and have scheduled a meeting for Friday midday. If anyone would like to join me they are welcome.
    I have also been told that I will not be able to meet with Senator Hagan due to availability, but that her Charlotte Regional Liaison will contact me.

    @Vashidu my scheduling request for Senator Hagan does not imply a position either for or against PIPA, but of course I am against it.
  • neocowneocow
    Wehopkins, what date is the meeting, and where?  
    I would like to join you.
  • wehopkinswehopkins
    I have just been informed that there was some confusion, and although I scheduled a meeting for NC, Senator Burr's counsel will be in D.C. during the recess. I have asked if anyone will be available in NC during this time, and am awaiting a response. I don't believe I can get to D.C. during the week this week.

    I am also still waiting to hear from Senator Hagan's Charlotte Regional Liaison, and will update here when I have.
  • Freedom76Freedom76
    Went to website & applied hope to join whoever can go.

  • cpatrickcpatrick
    I made a meeting request with both Senators and was only able to speak with a representative from Senator Burr and have received an email from Senator Hagan explaining that she is booked through the time of the vote. The email gives me the opportunity to meet with her "Raleigh Regional Liaison" who will be communicating with me shortly.

    I expressed my displeasure with the bill and its underlying principles to the representative from Senator Burr and he seemed somewhat perceptive (maybe I'm too optimistic).

    I'll repost to this thread if Hagan's Raleigh office gets back to me.
  • earlraearlra
    I would be interested in joining a meeting in Raleigh; my schedule is pretty open, just let me know if/when a meeting is scheduled.
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @wehopkins @cpatrick can people call to follow up and see where the meetings are?
  • wehopkinswehopkins

    Here is the status update:


    Senator Hagan's 'Charlotte Regional Liaison' has not yet contacted me.


    Senator Burr's counsel Ann Woods Hawks told me she was Senator Burr's 'primary staff' on the topic of PIPA, but that he would not be available during the January recess, and she is in D.C. Shortly thereafter, I was contacted by John Mitchell who has told me Senator Burr is currently in Africa (?), but will be back prior to the recess and he will attempt to schedule a meeting for me. Failing that, he believes I can get a meeting with someone in the NC staff.


    It's worth noting that Ann Woods Hawks is willing to meet with someone this week if they are in D.C. or can get there. This is contrary to our tactic (meet Senators during the recess in their home states) but may still be worth someone's time if they can make it.

  • dfarrell07dfarrell07
    I would like to participate in a meeting with either Senator, if it is happening in Raleigh, or I can get a ride to the meeting. Should I submit a meeting request, even though @wehopkins has done fact finding that suggests the answer I will receive?
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @dfarrell07 Yes, please do submit your own request! The more individual requests each Senators' offices receive, the more they'll be convinced that the opposition to PIPA is widespread, and not going away anytime soon.
  • XearonXearon
    If anyone gets a solid meeting, I have about 5-25 people who are willing to attend, give or take the meeting time and date. Ill put in a request as well, asap.
  • SarahAnneSarahAnne
    I'm interested in joining any solid meetings too 
  • jnzllwgrjnzllwgr
    From speaking with individuals who have dealt with influencing Federal Policy before, it is their recommendation to overwhelmingly fill their phone lines and inboxes with comments within a VERY short period of time. It is only in this way that the Congressperson will take note that there is a large percentage of their constituency that has strong feelings about particular issues. Since all messages generally go through staff first anyway, its a way for them to call attention to priority issues.  I would highly suggest that NC citizens agree on a particular day (or two or three) in which to mob Senator Hagan and Burr.  
  • AnkerAnker
    I requested a meeting with Kay Hagan.
    Will call Richard Burr Next.
  • gobigreenwoodgobigreenwood
    there is a very interesting graphic comparing three SOPA alternatives which you may wish to discuss during your meetings.  here: http://wpmu.org/wordpress-speaks-out-against-sopapipa/
  • mlk_charlottemlk_charlotte
    I have participated in a few legislative campaigns like this with other groups and have found that email can be an effective form of persuasion. Officials just need to get a sense of how many people are for or against something. Since Hagan co-sponsored, she is unlikely to be influenced, so I emailed Burr. There is a contact page on his site. He (his office) have been very responsive to me in the past. I am also posting to Facebook for my friends to see.

    BTW...I grasped the issue and found this site by the same WordPress post that is listed above. Kudos to them for speaking out.

    FYI... this is what I wrote:

    Senator Burr,

    I am a web developer and frequent user of the Internet and I have grave concerns that the PROTECT IP Act and SOPA will do more harm than good. As an artist, business person and content creator myself, I understand the need for copyright protection, but the risk of this law being misused is too high. This is not a political issue for me, it is a job issue. I understand Senator Hagan was a co-sponsor, so I will not contact her. Please speak for those of us who need the Internet to be a place of freedom and continuing innovation. Thank you!
  • jennyhalaszjennyhalasz
    This is ridiculous that we cannot get a meeting with Kay Hagan. She works for US!!!! Please, if anyone has political connections in the area, help us! I was very upset to get a response from my initial email to Hagan's office stating "as you know, I am a co-sponsor of this bill"... wait a minute, isn't it your responsibility and sworn duty to represent the desires and needs of your constituency?

    I am in if anyone is able to get a meeting. And to think, I voted for her. :p
  • jennyhalaszjennyhalasz
    I also just called Richard Burr's office and requested a meeting with the script above. I previously received a return email from him that stated that he was still undecided, but that if the legislation continued in it's current form, he would "expect to oppose it".


  • jennyhalaszjennyhalasz
    from a friend: 
    Your best bet is to take a day off. Find 50 to 100 people who feel as you and go sit in her office, no picket signs. Make sure to tell WRAL your schedule. Once they ask you to leave go picket on the lawn outside. Then when they ask you to leave drive to her home and picket there. Then when they ask you to leave you can go home.

    I'm game - who else is in?
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @jennyhalasz We cannot explain how excited we are about Burr's response. Thank you so much for telling us this. You've done really great work. 

    @ everyone - Lets focus most of our efforts on Hagen, but please keep calling Burr's office and let him know how you feel. The more he hears from constituents, the firmer his "no" stance will become.

    @wehopkins - could you possibly ask for a telephone meeting? We'd love to hear how solid Burr's "no" stance is.


    Also, quick general update: One of the major take-aways from the briefing call with Public Knowledge was that you don't have to set up a formal meeting to come in and talk to someone in a Senator's local office - you can just show up! So anyone who can't make it to the meeting: just find the location of the nearest office, recruit a friend or two, and get in there!
  • pdpoints1pdpoints1
    What do I do with this?: 

    Dear Mr. Points,

     

    Thank you for requesting a meeting with Senator Hagan to discuss the

    S.968 Protect IP act.  We would love to keep this request on file for

    a future date when Senator Hagan is traveling in your area, but her

    schedule for the next several weeks has been set for some time now,

    and I do not believe she can squeeze in another meeting at this time.

     

    The Senator does have a Western Regional Liaison, who could talk

    with you on behalf of the Senator on a more timely basis, and in turn

    brief the Senator.  He will be in touch as soon as possible to set up

    a call or meeting with you.

     

    We can continue to keep your request on file for a visit the Senator.

     

    Thanks again for contacting us.  Please feel free to contact us as

    often as you would like, and I am sorry we could not work this meeting

    in at this time.

  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @pdpoints1 follow up with the Regional Liaison! Concerns voiced to Senators' staffers WILL trickle up the chain-of-command, as long as enough people seem to share them. So follow-up as necessary to make sure that you do get a meeting with the Liaison, and then post back here to get people to accompany you!
  • pdpoints1pdpoints1
    Here is my follow up to Sue Wink:

    Hi Sue, 

    Thank you for your response to this matter.  As you know, the vote for the Protect IP act is January 24th and I do not need to visit with Senator Hagan beyond that point as of yet.

    So a meeting with a Western Regional Liaison will do in order to get our message across.  We feel that Senator Hagan has not acted on behalf of her constituents when voting on recent bills including the co-sponsorship of the Protect IP act.

    I will need a couple of possible dates for meeting with the Liason of Senator Hagan so we can maximize the number of attendees to voice our opinion.

    Kind regards,

    Phillip Points
  • cpatrickcpatrick
    I was able to meet with a staffer (not the Regional Liaison) in Senator Hagan's office in Raleigh yesterday at 4 PM (they didn't give me very much notice). After discussing my problems with sections 3-5 of the bill and attacking the general premise, I was thanked by the staffer and assured that my thoughts would be relayed to Senator Hagan.

    I sent follow up emails to the Regional Liaison and the staffer I spoke with indicating that I was more than willing to talk to the senator directly and continued to strongly oppose the bill.

    Keep flooding their office with polite, professional opposition and hopefully we can win this!

    Also, keep in mind that these staffers and liaisons are generally overworked and underpaid people that at times are far more progressive than their bosses. Many times they are looking for good talking points to relay to their superiors and really can make an impact.
  • wehopkinswehopkins
    I have heard from Senator Hagan's Charlotte Regional Liaison and have a scheduled meeting with her Wednesday at 1pm.
    I am still waiting on an official scheduling request with Senator Burr, but if I do not hear by early next week I will seek a phone meeting or meeting with local staff.
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @cpatrick @wehopkins @pdpoints1 Bravo, and congrats! That's exactly what we need right now - please keep up the good work!
  • clicknathanclicknathan
    Senator Hagan's office replied as such:

    Thank you for requesting a meeting with Senator Hagan to discuss the S.968 Protect IP act.  

    We would love to keep this request on file for a future date when Senator Hagan is traveling in your area, but her schedule for the next several weeks has been set for some time now, and I do not believe

    she can squeeze in another meeting at this time.

     

    The Senator does have a Western Regional Liaison, who could talk with you on behalf of the Senator on a more timely basis, and in turn brief the Senator.  He will be in touch as soon as possible

    to set up a call or meeting with you.

     

    We can also take your comments by fax, or mail to share with the Senator, if you would like to send those to us in that manner.

     

    We can continue to keep your request on file for a visit the Senator.

     

    Thanks again for contacting us.  Please feel free to contact us as often as you would like, and I am sorry we could not work this meeting in at this time.

  • wehopkinswehopkins
    Since I have an open meeting with the Charlotte Regional Liaison to Senator Hagan, I have room for up to 7 additional attendees. Please coordinate here if you would like to attend with me.

    Charlotte, NC; Wednesday January 18th at 1PM EST
  • wjoneswjones
    @wehopkins I can make a meeting at that time if you still have available spots.
  • theslightestofhandtheslightestofhand
    I have made contact with Kay Hagen's office in Raleigh. They will be getting back to me on setting up a meeting.  It sounded like they can do it.
  • geegelehotpantsgeegelehotpants
    Guys,

    I am actually going to DC tomorrow from Raleigh anyways.  Is anyone arranged anything in DC tomorrow?  Also, if someone did set up an appointment but can't attend because its in DC may I take the appointment from you?  I am a current computer engineering grad student at NC State.

    -
  • IT_worker_beeIT_worker_bee
    I called the office of Kay Hagan and only got a recording. I filled out a form here
    http://hagan.senate.gov/contact/

  • IT_worker_beeIT_worker_bee
    I just contacted Senator Burr as well via email,

    Note that Kay Hagan will be here on Monday, perhaps we ask her why after this meeting?

    Monday, January 16, 2012 7:00 AM
    Sheraton Imperial Hotel, 4700 Emperor Blvd. 
    Durham, NC 27703

    http://hagan.senate.gov/?p=kay_in_nc_view&id=21654

  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @theslightestofhand thats awesome work! Please keep everyone in this forum updated as information comes in. Then we'll help you find meetings.
  • geegelehotpantsgeegelehotpants
    @IT_worker_bee
    I am willing to go to Durham on Monday as long as we won't just be shooed away.
  • StopSOPA-HQStopSOPA-HQ
    @IT_worker_bee - not sure that an MLK Interfaith Breakfast is the best venue for a discussion on PIPA. I think it would be better to try and start a conversation through other means.
  • geegelehotpantsgeegelehotpants
    Yeah, but I like where this is going in regard to making a time if she is unwilling to schedule one with any of us.  Perhaps a more tactful date can be had..... I will look at her schedule.
  • wehopkinswehopkins
    @geegelehotpants
    please see my note above regarding DC. I am unsure how to contact you directly, but I can give you my contact in Senator Burr's office who said they could meet Friday

    @wjones
    the meeting is at 1520 South Blvd
    I'm not sure the best method for organizing this, perhaps via email? Right now it's just you and me. We may get more people on board this weekend, I will send the updated list of attendees to Senator Hagan's staff on Monday.
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