How To
By
eHow Culture & Society Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Letter-Writing Campaign
Step1
Draft a sample letter for others to use as a guide to help them join the campaign, and write a letter regarding a problem you need the congressman to take action on. This applies whether your views support or oppose an issue. The letter must be written on official, standard business letterhead and state who you are, your concerns and the purpose of the letter, offering examples and facts. Most importantly, state clearly and succinctly what you want the congressman to do.
Step2
Organize a spreadsheet or roster to track those who promised to write a letter, who did write a letter and who promised to get others to write a letter. The spreadsheet should be simple, so you can glance at it and know the status of your letter-writing campaign.
Step3
Augment your letter sample with a sheet of bullet points on issues that each letter writer can pick from and make their own. It's very important that they make the letters their own.
Personal Visit to the Congressman
Step1
Enlist your most trusted letter writers to schedule a visit with the representative. They must be able to articulate the issue with ease. Add a column to your spreadsheet for those who plan to visit the congressman or congresswoman.
Step2
Find out the basics about the congressman. Put together a one-page sheet with bullet points about his political party, positions he's held, cross-party issues, where he is or was a member or chair of committees and any other campaigns or issues in which he played a role.
Step3
Encourage your visiting team to bring a copy of their letters for the letter-writing campaign and go over those points at the meeting. Hold a meeting of all visitors, partner them up to practice with each other on what they plan to say to the representative. Have them practice fielding arguments against your case. Anticipate disagreements and prepare effective responses. Prepare explanations that are similar in the copy of each letter.
Step4
Inform the visiting party that they need to immediately write a letter after the visit. Note any action the congresswoman agreed to do with an added note that you will be following up on the important issue. Thank her for her time and commitment.