You've probably heard a bazillion times from teachers, websites, and anyone who hears you complain about something in your community: "Why don't you write a letter?" So now we are saying it too: WRITE A LETTER! Officials will listen, especially if they are local leaders.
Figure out who should get your letter.
Who you choose is up to you but local officials are usually best. Click your way to your town's website to find the names and addresses of town and school officials.
Based on the contact information you find, you'll need to decide whether to e-mail the official or send them a letter through the mail. Either way, your letter should use the format below.
| If writing to members of the U.S. House of Representatives: | Date The Honorable (full name) United States House of Representatives (get street address here https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml) Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative (last name): |
| If writing to members of the U.S. Senate: | Date The Honorable (full name) United States Senate address (get street address here http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm) Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator (last name): |
Follow the basic structure rules of a formal letter, but make the letter yours. The more genuinely and passionately you write, the more effective your message will be.
SAMPLE LETTER The Honorable Sherrod Brown Dear Senator Brown, Springdom’s mayor and council are proposing a town-wide ordinance requiring that people under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult while shopping at the Springdom Mega-Mall. They borrowed the idea from other communities that have passed similar rules in response to incidents such as kids getting into minor fights on mall property. Mayor Jackson believes that by requiring youth to be accompanied by chaperones, she will eliminate this problem. Some of the strongest arguments against the idea are that it will dramatically reduce business and it may actually increase danger - if kids can’t go to the mall, they’ll find other, not so well-guarded places to hang out. As a young, concerned citizen of Springdom, I agree that youth violence at the mall is a big problem for both kids and adults, but I think the best way to address this matter is by attacking it at its root. To be perfectly honest, there is nothing to do in Springdom after school lets out. That’s why kids go to the mall! The youth of Springdom need a cool, safe space where they can go after school to hang. I’ve spoken with several friends and teachers and we all agree that Springdom would benefit greatly from the addition of a community space offering athletics, art and other activities so that kids can socialize in a constructive manner. Specifically, I am writing to ask you to promote the maintenance of community spaces and the creation of more parks and nature trails. Springdom, for one, has thick woodlands. If you worked with the Ohio Parks Department to create running and biking trails in communities such as Springdom, everyone, not only the youth, would benefit greatly. I know that I for one, speaking as a youth and concerned citizen, would gain considerably from this program. Thank you for considering this matter. (your handwritten signature) Betsey Lopez |
