Today I took the dog for a walk and realized
that there is a letter that I must write.
Near our house, we walk up a once paved
road that is now mostly rock and mud.
It runs behind several houses then up
a hill and ends at some very high priced
home sites that are, as yet, unbuilt.
In the winter this is a beautiful trail
lined with small waterfalls and lush green
trees, in summer it is a trail overrun
by wildflowers that the neighborhood children
enjoy picking. This trail, used regularly
by its neighbors, is in danger of disappearing.
The developer of the homesites is petitioning
the city to repave the trail and make
it once again an automobile thoroughfare.
This trail is a vital part of our neighborhood,
and losing it to another street (that
would benefit only the future homeowners
of 5 homesites) would distress those who
use it regularly to walk the dog, teach
their children about nature, or to escape
the concrete jungle for a moment of peace.
Choose Your Topic
But, of course, the city planners won't
know this unless we tell them. That is
what a letter writing campaign is about..telling
the people in charge what is important
to us. And it is up to each of us to determine
what is important, and then appropriately
express that opinion. Leaders of government
as well as corporate leaders value our
opinions, because it is our opinions that
keep them in power. Their power to do
right (or not) is given to them by us!
So, use your power to help create the
world in which you want to live. And don't
limit yourself to local issues. There
are global organizations that conduct
letter writing campaigns to create change
socially, politically, environmentally
and economically around the world. These
organizations need us to speak up.
Verify the facts
Before you begin your letter, do your
homework. Who is in charge? Get the correct
name and title. Find out what has been
done to date regarding this issue. Do
an internet search on the topic, visit
the library and use the very underused
and extremely knowledgeable reference
librarian, call the local governing body
to determine the status of the issue.
If you are writing as part of a globally
organized letter writing campaign, the
organization conducting the campaign will
provide thorough background information
for your use. Read this information. It
is vital that you are knowledgeable on
your topic if you want your letter to
be read and taken seriously.
Write an Effective Letter
A letter to any corporate or political
official must be professional, concise,
and personal. Your goal is to get your
letter read, and that will not happen
if you don't maintain these standards.
When you are ready to begin your letter,
get out a nice white piece of paper and
type your letter. Begin with the correct
name, address and title of the official
as well as the date. Be sure to include
your return address on the letter (not
just on the envelope) so that you can
request and receive a response. Now organize
your thoughts (on a separate piece of
paper) and begin writing. Keep the following
in mind:
- Your letter should be short while
covering all necessary information.
- Be polite and constructive, never
inflammatory or accusatory. Presume
that the person to whom you are writing
is reasonable and treat him or her with
due respect.
- Be certain of your facts. One incorrect
or insufficiently researched fact will
render your entire letter useless. Communicate
your understanding of the context of
the overall situation as well as the
specific issue at hand.
- Be specific about the action you are
looking for, don't speak about vague
or theoretical ideals.
- Personalize your letter with information
about why this issue is important to
you, and how it affects you.
- If the organization or person to whom
you are writing has taken positive steps
on this issue, compliment their action.
- Finally, respectfully request a response
to your letter and sign your letter
by hand.
If you follow these steps, you can create
a dialog between yourself and the official
in charge. Become a respected member of
this official's community whose opinion
is welcome and desired, and you have made
a difference.
Follow Up
If appropriate, send a copy of your letter
to the local newspaper. Generating more
interest in the issue creates better opportunity
to create the desired action. Then, keep
track of the result of your action. If
you receive a response, acknowledge the
response and thank the official for his
or her consideration. If the action you
requested is carried out, send a thank
you letter expressing your appreciation.
If you hear nothing and the issue seems
to be unresolved, send another letter.
We have a voice, but it is only heard
if we speak!
This article was posted on April 02,
2004
