Be aware of your appearance and how others may perceive you even if you just plan on signing in. Please refrain from offensive or distracting attire. The Committee Chair has full authority to ask you to leave the room. Realize that there will be individuals present that are against Pro-Vaccination Choice bills, so refrain from booing or hissing at them while they speak. Yelling ‘liar’ while someone is speaking may make for excitement on the evening news, but it does not endear the committee to our efforts. Remember the adage, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” while you are part of the audience. Also, please mute your cell phones. Everyone in attendance, especially those testifying, should refrain from the use of hostile, sarcastic or profane language.

If you are a medical or science professional, you do not have to be a resident of the state of NH to submit oral or written testimony. Please contact us if you fall into either category and would like to testify (VacChoiceNH@gmail.com). 

HOW TO TESTIFY AT A PUBLIC HEARING

ORAL TESTIMONY:

In brief:

Contact us in advance and e-mail VacChoiceNH with your testimony

Bring 20 copies of your testimony with you for the committee

Sign in and get a pink card.

Wait patiently and respectfully for your turn

Address the Committee & introduce yourself

Keep to under 3 minutes and be able to summarize in 3 sentences

Thank the committee

Detailed version:

If you plan to give oral testimony at the hearing, please contact us in advance at VacChoiceNH@gmail.com. This will help us to ensure the least amount of duplication as well as to ensure that key points are made. Please be sure you have thoroughly read our guidelines for correspondence on the action alert page. If you are unsure, do not hesitate to ask us questions.

You will also need to send a copy of your testimony to VacChoiceNH@gmail.com so that we have a copy of your testimony. Even though you are giving oral testimony, you will need to bring in 20 copies (one for each committee member). If you have documents in support of your testimony, be sure to have those attached to your testimony.

If you are prepared to testify, you will need to fill out and turn in a pink card to do so. If you are a medical or science professional, please be sure to indicate your professional designation on the pink card. The Committee Chair will call on people to testify in the order they determine (sometimes in alternating stances). Preferences are usually given to the bill sponsors, other legislators, state employees and then John/Jane Q. Public. Be patient.

When your name is called, proceed to the chair/desk provided, sit down, and properly address the Chair as Mister Chairman. Then introduce yourself and get right down to business. If the Chair asks you to summarize, please do so. Do not continue to give your entire testimony…this antagonizes the Chair. You should be prepared to sum up your testimony in 3 sentences. Remember to Thank the Committee at the end of your testimony. Wait for them to ask questions, after any questions, they will all thank you for speaking.  Get up and back to your chair quickly.

You will have the maximum of 3 minutes to give your testimony. Do NOT go over 3 minutes. Practice at home and time yourself. Stick to 3 main points that are pertinent to the bill. If you have additional points to make, try to have another individual make them for you. If others have testified before you and have already made your points, please say so when you are called to speak. The committee does appreciate it if you don’t repeat what they have just heard.

The Chairman has the duty to call to order a speaker not keeping remarks to the point. The purpose of a public hearing is to give testimony and information, not to argue or inquire. Emotions should be controlled. If you show strong emotion, you may embarrass some of those present and then they will forget most of what you had to say. If you do not feel that you can give an emotionally balanced oral testimony, please consider submitting your testimony in writing (VacChoiceNH@gmail.com).

Speakers (this means you) may not ask questions of the committee or other speakers. Only committee members may ask questions of the speaker. You should be prepared to answer questions from the committee. If you do not know the answer to a question or understand the question, please say so. Unless you are testifying as an expert, do not be worried if you do not know the answer. You do not have to divulge any of your personal medical decisions to the committee if asked. Those decisions are confidential between you and your doctor. Always remain polite and calm…breathe.

When all persons have been heard, the Chairman declares the public hearing closed.

WRITTEN TESTIMONY:

If a citizen cannot be present at a hearing a written statement may be submitted to the Clerk of the committee. Written testimony must be handed in with someone who is testifying. For example, you send your written testimony to VacChoiceNH@gmail.com . While testifying, someone from the NH Coalition for Vaccination Choice must say…”I have 15 letters here from residents of the state of NH who cannot attend today, but would like to be heard. They are Jane Doe, John Doe etc.” That way it is a summary of what you are handing in to the committee. If you are a medical or science professional, you do not have to be a resident of the state to submit testimony.

Written testimony does not have to be a diatribe.  Be sure to thank the committee for their consideration and provide your name and contact information. If you are unsure, please do not hesitate to ask us questions (VacChoiceNH@gmail.com).

NHCVC would like to thank the following sources for the information above: http://www.nhliberty.org/sites/default/files/HowToTestify.pdf , http://www.nhliberty.org/decorum , http://www.nh.gov/nhinfo/bills.html .

 
The contents of VacChoiceNH.org and related Web sites are intended to provide useful health information to the general public. All materials, including texts, graphics, images, and audio, on VacChoiceNH.org are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment for specific medical conditions. All visitors to VacChoiceNH.org should seek expert medical care and consult their own physicians for any specific health issues. VacChoiceNH.org does not recommend or endorse specific tests, procedures, advice, or other information found on VacChoiceNH.org. VacChoiceNH.org and the NH Coalition for Vaccination Choice specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use or application of any of the material on this site.