Speaking Up: A Guide for Preparing Effective Testimony

February 9, 2026

Testifying at a public hearing is one of the most effective ways to ensure your voice is heard in the policymaking process. Whether you're speaking in person or submitting written comments, the goal is the same: help lawmakers understand the impact of the policy they’re considering on people in New Hampshire. Your personal experience, expertise, and community perspective offer insight they can't get anywhere else. This guide will help you shape that experience into clear, effective testimony.

Writing Your Personalized Advocacy Message

Stories are one of the most powerful advocacy tools. Before you begin, remember: YOU are the expert in your story. Think about an issue, and why you care about it. It could be your story, someone you know, or someone in your work or community. Use that story to show others why they should care, too.

When writing your advocacy message, avoid using jargon or acronyms. Remember that our legislators are volunteers, who might not have as much expertise on your issue.

Advocacy Message Template

Introduction: Introduce yourself and any relevant or important information about yourself.

Challenge: Describe a challenge faced or the issue you are advocating on.

Solution: Focus on a solution or proposed solution and how it will address the challenge.

Impact: Illustrate how the solution will affect the community if implemented.

https://new-futures.org/post/Preparing-Testimon

Written Testimony

Write your personalized advocacy message in the form of a letter.
Address it to "Honorable Chair and Members of the Committee"
Sign with your full name, your town, and your contact information.
Submit your testimony:
- Senate: Got to the Committee's page on the General Court website and click "Email Entire Committee"
- House: There is the option to include your testimony during Remote Sign-In for the hearing. Please Note: this becomes immediately visible on the website to anyone. You can email committee members if you prefer.

In-Person Testimony

PREPARATION
- Write your personalized advocacy message in the form of a letter.
- Address it to “Honorable Chair and Members of the Committee”
- Sign with your full name, your town, and your contact information.
- Bring printed copies to the hearing to hand in for the committee members. (25 copies for the House, 8 for the Senate)
- Create a bulleted list of talking points to help you stay on track while you speak. You should not just read from your testimony.
- Hearing times vary widely. Anticipate the hearing may run late.
ARRIVING TO A HEARING
- Arrive early, and plan extra time for parking.
- Know the bill number and hearing room number.
- In the Senate: There will be a white sign-in sheet where you will write your name, whether you support or oppose the bill, and whether you wish to speak.
- In the House: There will be a blue sign-in sheet that you only fill out if you are not speaking. If you would like to speak, fill out a pink card and pass the card to the clerk or chair of the committee.
TESTIFYING
- We recommend keeping testimony under 3-5 minutes to remain effective and hold the committees attention.
- Recognize the chairperson and members of the committee.
- State your name and where you are from.
- State your position on the bill.
- Share your personalized advocacy message.
- Thank the committee members for their time.
- You have the option to accept or decline questions from the committee at the end of your testimony. If you do not know an answer, offer to follow up with an email. You can email all members of the committee through the General Court website.

Testimony Template

[Name]

[Address]

[City/State/Zip]

[Phone/Email]

To the Honorable Chair and Members of the [Name of Committee],

My name is [Name], and I am a resident of [Town/City]. I am writing to urge you to [support/oppose] [bill number] relative to [bill name].

[Insert your personalized advocacy message here].

Please vote in [favor/opposition] of [bill number].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Name] [Town/City]

Testimony Examples from Our Advocates

Testimony from an advocate with lived experience:

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Testimony from an advocate with professional experience:

Get Personalized Support from New Futures

If you are interested in testifying at a public hearing, New Futures can support you. Members of our Community Engagement team can help you prepare remarks, find the committee room, and offer moral support at the hearing. Click here to let us know you're interested or request personalized support.

Download our Guide for Preparing Effective Testimony

Download the Guide