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MAKE YOUR LETTERS COUNT

WHY WRITE

You have something to say - an opinion to offer, a story to tell, a request to make, a question to ask.

  1. Letters Influence: Frequently, few letters are received about a particular issue, thus making your letter very significant. If numerous letters are received, your letter may be very important to offset letters with a different opinion.
  2. Constituent communications are influential – in fact, they are more influential than the media, government information sources, lobbyists, and many other forms of communication.
  3. Your stories and pleas change attitudes and votes, but also support and reinforce.

WHOM TO WRITE

  1. Officials elected from your district are always most responsive. Therefore, write your Senator, Delegate, and the Governor.
  2. Occasionally, the leadership within the Senate and House and certain committees (such as the committees which determines the state budget) also need to hear from you. Learn who those people might be for the issue that concerns you.

WHERE TO WRITE

  1. Send letters to the Richmond legislative office during the General Assembly Session.
  2. Write to legislators at their home district office when the Assembly is not meeting.
  3. Addresses can be found on this web site: (link) The information is always subject to change, so it is a good idea to verify mailing addresses before sending letters

WHEN TO WRITE

  1. As the legislation is being considered in committee, on the floor, or before the Governor for consideration.
  2. Often enough to be known and respected - but not too often to be a pest. Get others to write to increase the chorus of voices on an issue
  3. Write a thank you note if a legislator votes with you or a polite letter of regret if he/she does not.

WHAT TO SAY

  1. Spell name of official correctly. Use accurate title.
  2. Write your own letter, not a form letter. Handwrite personally and neatly or type. Be sure to include your mailing address and phone number.
  3. Focus on 1 issue only.
  4. State your concern clearly in the first paragraph. Be specific – “Please vote against SB 1 when it comes before the Courts of Justice Committee.”
  5. Be positive and constructive. Never threaten legislators that they will lose your vote!
  6. Reference quotes and statistics. Enclose extra information related to your topic.

If you do not have a relationship with your legislators, be sure to use formal titles.

When addressing the envelope:
The Honorable _______________
Home address or Richmond address

The salutation:

Dear Senator_________:
Dear Delegate________:

OTHERE TIPS

Use personal stationery with your return address or organizational letterhead if authorized. Be brief! Short paragraphs, too! One page, if possible. Be positive! Express appreciation for a recent speech, vote, or action indicating both your courteousness and your knowledge.

Give reasons for your concern, commitment, request. Draw on personal experience, specific situations.

Identify impact of the issue on people (your family, your community, people in other parts of the state). Identify the human justice aspect of the issue.

Ask specific questions. The more specific and original, the more thought provoking and the more thoughtful the response. Also ask, "How do you plan to vote"?

Never threaten or use rude, insulting language.

What about other forms of written communication?

Mass produced postcards do not get the same attention as your personal postcard. Your personal postcard does not get the same attention as your letter.
Petitions receive less attention than your personal letter.

Use fax and email only if your letter must arrive the same day - then follow up with a "hard copy" of your letter.

Feel free to call the legislator’s office and ask what is his or her preferred form of written communication?

Whatever you do - DO Something !! Silence is not an option in advocacy.

What Happens to Your Letter?
Each letter is read quickly to identify issue and viewpoint and forwarded to appropriate staff.
Staff assesses content of mail, persuasiveness of points made, volume of opinion, and summarizes the information.

Quotable phrases, stories, and statistics are forwarded to legislator for use in meetings, speeches, and hearings.

A reply is prepared: response can be generic, or it may be personalized if your request or question is unique. If the response is vague, evasive or misunderstands your message, write again.

DON'T FORGET TO MAIL THE LETTER! First class!

Write back. Ask follow up questions, provide additional information. Find out which staff person works on your issue and address that person directly, too.

Write Thank-You letters when you appreciate action!

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy appreciates receiving copies of your letters and their responses.

Center Priorities (.pdf)

Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)

Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)

For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)

    Policy Briefs
    EITC (.doc)
    TANF Child Support (.doc)
    Payday Loans (.doc)
    Healing Creation (.doc)
    Child Ombudsman (.doc)
    Affordable Housing (.doc)
    Indigent Defense (.doc)
    Minimum Wage (.doc)
    Wage & EITC (.doc)
    VA Tribes (.link)

    Actions
    Lending Petition (link)
    Title Petition (link)
    Wage Petition (link)

    Reports
    Budget Analysis (.pdf)
    Food Stamps (.doc)
    Lottery Study (link)

    FAQ's (link)

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