Post by Admin on Aug 22, 2016 20:26:32 GMT -5
From Prison Reform Movement by Carol Leonard
If you are NOT writing your state representatives about Criminal Justice Reform, you are not helping our issues!!
You MUST advocate on your loved ones behalf...who else will? Let them know your concerns, highlight issues that should be investigated and corrected, and above all be RESPECTFUL.
Here are some guidelines to get you started- this format will work with Congress people, Senators and Governors.
Writing to your senator can help solve issues in your state. It is a good way to get their attention, and can make your voice heard. There are a few steps to getting your voice heard correctly, however.
Look up the senator's mailing address. Sites like senate.gov can be of great assistance.
Write the issue on the envelope. If the letter is about an issue currently in front of the Senate, note the issue or the bill number in the bottom left hand corner of the envelope. The staff will handle mail that is relevant to the current session first.
Be sure to include your name, address and phone number, and email address, so that the senator can respond to you and so that they know they are hearing from someone who lives in their district. Ensure that everything you write, particularly your contact information, is legible. If you are not in their district, make that clear in your letter. Example: My son/daughter is currently incarcerated in your state facility...etc.
Start with the correct form of address. The appropriate form of address is: Dear Senator (last_name).
Introduce yourself in the first paragraph.
Explain the purpose of the letter in the following paragraph. Share the facts that support the purpose.
Stick to one issue and one issue only when you write. The message comes across more effectively this way. Mentioning too many matters will only confuse the main issue. If there are more issues, briefly state that there are, but do not go into great detail at this time.
Make a request for a reply. Be thankful for the senator's time and for taking your issue seriously. Even if your politician is not of your political preferences, you must still be thankful.
Use a business like tone. However, don't be afraid to tell your personal story as to why this issue matters to you.
Avoid the use of slang vocabulary. A professional tone is important for your letter to be taken seriously.
Try to use persuasive vocabulary.
Bear in mind that the more hysterical, emotional or paranoid your writing comes across, the less seriously your letter is taken.
Use a computer if you can, for neatness counts.
Use standard English and do pay some attention to spelling and grammar, but don't fret over this. You can have someone capable proof-read the letter for you, if you really want to, but the main thing is to be clear in your issue.
Do not send form letters or copy the text of another letter. Such letters are almost always ignored.
Senators do not reply personally to mail. Interns and staff assistants normally sort mail by issue, whereupon replies are written by legislative correspondents and more interns. A Senator will never see a standard piece of mail, but due note will be taken of the concerns expressed in the letter, and it will help inform the Senator's decision making.
Do not get upset if you do not get a reply right away. Remember a senator is usually busy, and receives many letters every day.
Many states have a sharp difference between Senators in terms of responsiveness, etc. If you have a pressing personal issue speak to both, and follow through with whichever staff seems most supportive. Less popular Senators often focus more on constituent services.
don't be afraid to make a follow up phone call if you don't hear from the Senator's office within a reasonable period of time.
Referring to your history as a loyal voter/sending tea bags/suggesting that you'll vote someone out of office/etc. are generally unhelpful.
Avoid any kind of threatening tone as this will not help your case, and may trigger a visit from Capitol Police or the Secret Service.
If you are NOT writing your state representatives about Criminal Justice Reform, you are not helping our issues!!
You MUST advocate on your loved ones behalf...who else will? Let them know your concerns, highlight issues that should be investigated and corrected, and above all be RESPECTFUL.
Here are some guidelines to get you started- this format will work with Congress people, Senators and Governors.
Writing to your senator can help solve issues in your state. It is a good way to get their attention, and can make your voice heard. There are a few steps to getting your voice heard correctly, however.
Look up the senator's mailing address. Sites like senate.gov can be of great assistance.
Write the issue on the envelope. If the letter is about an issue currently in front of the Senate, note the issue or the bill number in the bottom left hand corner of the envelope. The staff will handle mail that is relevant to the current session first.
Be sure to include your name, address and phone number, and email address, so that the senator can respond to you and so that they know they are hearing from someone who lives in their district. Ensure that everything you write, particularly your contact information, is legible. If you are not in their district, make that clear in your letter. Example: My son/daughter is currently incarcerated in your state facility...etc.
Start with the correct form of address. The appropriate form of address is: Dear Senator (last_name).
Introduce yourself in the first paragraph.
Explain the purpose of the letter in the following paragraph. Share the facts that support the purpose.
Stick to one issue and one issue only when you write. The message comes across more effectively this way. Mentioning too many matters will only confuse the main issue. If there are more issues, briefly state that there are, but do not go into great detail at this time.
Make a request for a reply. Be thankful for the senator's time and for taking your issue seriously. Even if your politician is not of your political preferences, you must still be thankful.
Use a business like tone. However, don't be afraid to tell your personal story as to why this issue matters to you.
Avoid the use of slang vocabulary. A professional tone is important for your letter to be taken seriously.
Try to use persuasive vocabulary.
Bear in mind that the more hysterical, emotional or paranoid your writing comes across, the less seriously your letter is taken.
Use a computer if you can, for neatness counts.
Use standard English and do pay some attention to spelling and grammar, but don't fret over this. You can have someone capable proof-read the letter for you, if you really want to, but the main thing is to be clear in your issue.
Do not send form letters or copy the text of another letter. Such letters are almost always ignored.
Senators do not reply personally to mail. Interns and staff assistants normally sort mail by issue, whereupon replies are written by legislative correspondents and more interns. A Senator will never see a standard piece of mail, but due note will be taken of the concerns expressed in the letter, and it will help inform the Senator's decision making.
Do not get upset if you do not get a reply right away. Remember a senator is usually busy, and receives many letters every day.
Many states have a sharp difference between Senators in terms of responsiveness, etc. If you have a pressing personal issue speak to both, and follow through with whichever staff seems most supportive. Less popular Senators often focus more on constituent services.
don't be afraid to make a follow up phone call if you don't hear from the Senator's office within a reasonable period of time.
Referring to your history as a loyal voter/sending tea bags/suggesting that you'll vote someone out of office/etc. are generally unhelpful.
Avoid any kind of threatening tone as this will not help your case, and may trigger a visit from Capitol Police or the Secret Service.