8704 Yates Dr., Suite 205
Westminster, CO 80031
rmfc.org
303-292-1800
How To Be an Effective Kitchen Table Lobbyist
Your letter to legislators, the Governor and even the President can have more impact than you might expect. The most important thing to remember is to make your letters legible. It is also extremely important to mention the bill number so the recipient can be sure of exactly which issue you are discussing. In addition, here are a few tips that can help:
- Be specific. Write about only one issue per letter. Each legislative assistant is assigned different issues. Because your letter most likely will be routed to the assistant who handles the first issue you mention, the second issue may be lost entirely.
- Be selective. Concentrate on your own delegation. If you send a letter to a representative of another state or district, his or her office staff most likely will forward it to your own representative.
- Be brief. No one wants to wade through a lengthy letter. A letter longer than a page is often skimmed and your main points may be lost.
- Be courteous. Use the correct form of address for your elected representatives.
- Be personal. Write in your own words. Avoid copying form letters or using stilted language. Explain how the issue will affect you, your children, your family, school, business, community, and so on.
- Be tenacious. Ask specific questions that must be answered by a person, not a computer. Keep copies of your correspondence and be prepared to send a follow-up letter if necessary. When an elected official has adopted a position in conflict with yours, you often will get a letter of explanation. This may be your best opportunity. Politely refute the arguments presented in the reply you receive with as many facts as you can muster.
- Be informed. Don't rely on rumors or hearsay. Get your facts straight and, whenever possible, enclose clippings from newspapers, magazines, or your organization's newsletter.
- Be timely. Follow the issue in the newsletters you receive and keep up with the day-to-day developments in the paper. The best time to write is when you first hear the issue is going to be considered. You may encourage your representative to take the right position before the opposition gets to him or her.
- Be supportive. After the vote is taken, write and say thanks if you feel your representative voted correctly.
Important Don'ts To Remember:
- Don't use threatening language or be hostile, abusive or disrespectful in any way.
- Don't use form letters.
- Don't be afraid to point out your expertise. So few letters come from someone who has real experience with an issue. These letters are extremely valuable to a congressman and the staff.
- Don't be a pen pal. You're after quality, not quantity. By all means, write on the issues you feel are important, but don't weigh down the mail every few days with volumes on every conceivable subject.
- And don't fail to write because you're afraid of doing it wrong. The most important thing to remember is, as long as you're sincere and polite, there is no wrong way to write a letter to one of your representatives.
What is an effective letter? One that gets the attention and action of your elected representative. That's not an easy thing to do. Consider the sheer volume of mail that is delivered daily to the House and Senate office buildings.
Here are a few quick tips for writing an effective letter:
- Identify one topic with bill number.
- Give your qualifications, if applicable. Elected officials like to know who you are.
- State how the bill will affect you personally.
- Use expert opinion and literature with facts and figures when possible.
- State how you would like him or her to vote and request a written response.
- And finally, thank them in advance for their careful consideration of the issue.
Rocky Mountain Family Council
8704 Yates Drive, Suite 205
Westminster, CO 80031
(303) 292-1800
This resource may be reprinted without change and in its entirely for non-commercial purposes
without prior permission from the Rocky Mountain Family Council.
