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We know, you have probably heard it a 100 times from teachers, websites, and anyone who hears you complain about something you wish could change 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.
In a world that revolves around people communicating through their computers, we often forget how nice it is to get a personal, hand-written letter from a friend or pen pal. A "snail-mailed" letter gives you a chance to talk directly to any politician or elected official and have them listen to you. The truth is that 90% of the time, adults make 100% of the decisions about what happens in your life. Break that cycle and tell them what you're thinking.
The Who
Figure out who should get your letter.
The elected official 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. Here is a great resource for finding your state's official website. Canadians can try this site or find your MP here.
If you choose to write about an issue involving your school you should also send a copy of the letter to your School Board President (your school secretary has this information).
DO IT!
Choose whether you want to type or handwrite the letter. Don't underestimate the power of a handwritten letter. If you write the letter yourself, it will stand out from the piles of faxes and emails officials and representatives receive daily.
Pen Points:
- A short direct letter = a powerful letter, officials don't have a lot of time, so the longer the letter the greater chance your message will not reach them quickly enough.
- If you decide to handwrite your letter, make sure your writing is neat and legible. If other people can’t read your writing, then they won’t read your letter.
- Be polite; don’t be too aggressive about your opinion.
- Include your name, address, and ways to contact you (phone number, email) on the letter AND the envelope.
- Be as specific as possible with your concerns and requests. Elected officials deal with a lot of problems every day, but if they see that you have a particular problem or issue in mind, then it'll be easier for them to take action to resolve it.
- Keep in mind that facts carry a lot more weight than reasons such as "because it’s bad" or "because I like it."
If writing to members of the U.S. House of Representatives: |
If writing to members of the U.S. Senate: |
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Date The Honorable (full name) Dear Representative (last name): |
Date The Honorable (full name) Dear Senator (last name): |
Passion is contagious. There are some basic structure rules you should follow when writing an official letter, but otherwise, make the letter yours. The more genuinely and passionately you write, the more effectively your message will be driven home to your local official.
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SAMPLE LETTER The Honorable Joe D. Gavel Dear Senator Gavel, 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 her and the council’s 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 youth and 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 |