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COMMUNICATING BY MAIL One of the best ways to get your point of view to your elected officials is through a personal letter. Elected officials pay particular attention to letters from constituents- your letters can and do make a difference. Although hundreds of letters may be received each week, many elected officials read a significant portion of their mail personally. Others ask their staff to select the most interesting and revealing letters. Congressional offices always keep a running tally of how their mail is running on particular issues. Remember, your letters count! Tips On Writing Your Legislator Use personal stationery when writing lawmakers. If you're writing on behalf of your company and at its request, use company stationery. Include your return address on the letter, if it is not on your letterhead. Sometimes envelopes with your address on them will be lost. Address your letter correctly. At the federal level, address your letters to:
Note: When writing to the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address them as: "Dear Mr. Chairman," "Dear Madam Chairwoman" or "Dear Mr. Speaker." Identify yourself as a registered voter from a specified city or county. Identify any other personal or professional relationships that will lend weight and credibility to your position on the issue. State the purpose of your correspondence in the first paragraph of the message. If your message pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly, i.e., House bill: H.R._____, Senate bill: S._____. Get to the point quickly, and address only one issue in each message. As a rule of thumb, it is best to limit your message to one page. State your concerns about the issue, explain how the issue would affect you, your family, your livelihood, as well as any specific impact it would have on your community or state. Praise, don't criticize. If your lawmaker's position agrees with your own, don't spare the praise. When it conflicts with your view, be courteous while stating your beliefs and request that the lawmaker reconsider his or her position. Explain why it is wrong and suggest alternatives. Ask for a commitment. Be sure to ask for a clear statement of their position on a bill or issue. Stand out from the crowd by asking for specific actions and real commitments. If you get a noncommittal response, write again. Be even-handed. Take time to contact your elected officials when you approve of their actions as well as when you wish to voice your opposition or ask for their assistance. Always write to thank them for positive action on a previous request. Make sure it's readable. Type, print or write legibly. Avoid cliches and industry jargon. Give your address and phone number and be sure to sign the letter. Avoid form letters. Please create your own letters, using the ideas suggested to you by the organization that has issued the action call, or other source. Communications written in your own words that reflect your own personality and expertise are much more effective. Say "thanks." Close with a statement of thanks and an expression of continued interest in future action. <Return to Communicating with Elected Officials> <Return to Be Active!> Forest Resources Association
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