Getting Attention

1
Getting Attention

• Letter Writing

2
Why Write Letters?

• Decision Makers
• Request a meeting
• Request information
• Tell them what you think
• Say thank you

• Elected Officials
• State your opinion
• Request information
• Ask them to vote
• Say thank you

3
Materials and Styles

• Style of a business letter
• White paper/simple stationary
• Typed single-spaced 12pt. Font
• Short 1 page
• Check for spelling and grammar

4
What Goes in a Letter
(Pg. 53)

• Date
• Contact Information
• Bill/Policy Number or Name
• Reason for Writing
• Why you support/oppose the issue
• Request for action/response
• Thank you

5
Addressing the Letter

• When writing to elected officials, there are
  specific ways to address the letter
• Include the persons title
• See page 59 for proper ways of addressing elected
  officials

The Honorable Jennifer Granholm Governor of
Michigan State Capital Lansing, MI 48909 Dear
Governor Granholm,
James E. Dough Director of Housing Michigan
Housing Organization 1234 East Maryway Sunnyville,
MI 48398 Dear Mr. Dough,
6
Good Advocacy Letters Are

• Personalized
• Polite
• Focused
• Action Oriented

• Substantive
• Specific
• Timely
• Brief

7
Decision Maker Sample
(Pg. 56)

• Date contact information
• Clear reason for writing
• Bill/Policy name and number
• Short and to the point
• Clear call to action with a deadline
• Thank you

8
Elected Official Sample
(Pg. 57)

• Date contact information
• Clear reason for writing
• Bill/Policy name
• Specific
• Gave many reasons why to support the issue drew
  on facts
• Clear call to action
• Thank you

9
Practice

• Based on the talking points
• Get into small groups
• Pick an issue
• Discuss who you would write letters to and why
• Write a sample letter relating to the issue you
  selected

10
Letter Writing Campaigns

• MANY VOICES GREATER STRENGTH
• Create a network of people
• Put out an action alert
• Briefly describe the issue, course of action, and
  targets
• Provide a sample letter stress the importance
  of personalizing the letter

11
Get Active

• An online letter writing campaign for
• disability issues
• Create an account
• Receive an email action alert
• Sign in
• Review the issue/letter and add personal story
• Click send or print

To join Get Active and start sending letters to
your representatives, visit http//ga3.org/mdrc/jo
in.html.
12
REMEMBER

• Get your facts straight
• Be short and to the point
• Use your own words/personal story
• Be clear and simple
• Dont forget to include your name and address on
  the letter
• Always keep a copy of the letters you send for
  your records
• Follow-up if action is not taken