Grassroots Tips for Wilderness Advocates Communicating with Decision Makers Whether by traditional mail, fax, or email, letter writing is an important way to communicate with elected officials. Mail is one of the primary ways elected officials get information on where their constituents stand on issues, and since only a small fraction of constituents take the time to write personal letters, each one carries a great deal of weight with elected officials. Here are some basics of letter writing:
*Since 2001, mail sent to Washington DC congressional offices takes much longer to reach its destination because of increased security on Capitol Hill. Assume your letter will take at least ten days or more to arrive. It may be a good idea to fax your letter in addition to mailing it. You may also consider mailing the letter to the nearest in-district office in your state. Letters to Congress should be addressed in this format:
Phone Calls: A phone call is often the quickest and easiest way to get your message to an elected official, especially if a vote or major decision is imminent. And, if you get your friends, neighbors, and others to make calls as well, you will create a greater impact. SUWA sometimes organizes "phone banks" where a small group of volunteers meets to call our members, asking them to take action on an important issue. When you call your elected or agency officials it is important to make your point clearly and briefly. Often, the person you are trying to reach will be unavailable for one reason or another. Leave a detailed message with their staff. Include your full name and address to show that you are a constituent, and ask for a response from your elected official. Working with the Media The Opinion page is often the first page decision makers turn to when they open the daily newspaper. Letters to the Editor (LTEs) are a free, easy, and effective way to raise public awareness of an issue and call upon elected officials to take action. Tips on Writing a Letter to the Editor: Letters to the editor can be mailed, faxed or emailed. More and more, newspapers are receiving the bulk of their letters by email. It's quick, easy, and letter editors don't have to retype your words for publication. Be sure to paste the the letter into the body of an email. In the age of computer viruses and spam, few newspapers will open attachments.
Resources for Grassroots Activists U.S. House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/ - Access the congressional calendar, committee assignments, and a directory of representatives' personal websites. U.S. Senate: http://www.senate.gov/ - Access the congressional calendar, committee assignments, and a directory of Senators' personal websites. Thomas Library of Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov/ - Your best source for legislative information on the internet, including current bills, lists of cosponsors, and the daily congressional record. Open Secrets: http://www.opensecrets.org/ - Find out who has contributed to your elected officials' re-election campaigns and more. League of Conservation Voters: http://www.lcv.org/ - Review your Member of Congress' "scorecard" on environmental votes and issues.
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