Thursday 2 February 2017

Tips for the best letters --- Keep it Simple


As more folks are writing letters inspired by Write-it-Forward, I wanted to post some hints about authoring the best letters.

Your letter should address a single topic or issue. Typed, one-page letters are best. Many PACs (Political Action Committees) recommend a three-paragraph letter structured like this:
1. Say why you are writing and who you are. List your "credentials." (If you want a response, you must include your name and address, even when using email.)
2. Provide more detail. Be factual not emotional. Provide specific rather than general information about how the topic affects you and others. If a certain bill is involved, cite the correct title or number whenever possible.
3. Close by requesting the action you want taken: a vote for or against a bill, or change in general policy.
The best letters are courteous, to the point, and include specific supporting examples.
Any other suggestions, folks?

Sunday 29 January 2017

A global exchange of letters

How did I get here?

At some point I realized that I couldn't make it through the next 3 years, 11 months, and some odd days by posting frantically to Facebook links to petitions to sign and news articles to read. I think that is a great forum for exchanging information and ideas -- maybe I would inspire someone somewhere to do something -- but it didn't feel like action at all. My husband and I attended the Women's March on Washington, D.C. and were heartened to feel the support and excitement of so many people from so many backgrounds coming together to warn that the USA public will stand for democracy. 

I am an environmental economist for the Federal gov't. in an agency not targeted by the Trump administration yet, but who knows about the future? Plus, I have a lot of friends and colleagues at places like the EPA... To attack: science, rights to safe abortions (domestically and internationally), trade agreements, refugees and legal immigrants (based on religion) in EOs in less than a week is unheard of for a President, even the most staunch Republican. Not to mention actively working in almost every speech to shake the public's confidence in the media. Sigh.

I had a few conversations with close friends who are middle of the road compassionate people who didn't seem to know how to get started. Everyone tells you to call your Rep (and this is effective), but I work under conditions that does not facilitate that being a reasonable possibility; this is the case for many people. In short, I promised a friend to find a link to example letters on "big" topics for her to use to start writing letters of her own. But I couldn't find a good clearinghouse of (form) letters -- I asked around to see if this would be a useful thing for folks, started a test Facebook group...and about 500+ members (about 80% of whom I don't know), here we are testing the clearinghouse idea. 
Find us on Facebook: Look for the closed group "Write-It-Forward" 
I believe that we need to extend the global commons to make letter-writing effective and efficient. After all, there are A LOT of contentious issues popping up at breakneck speed. Sigh again. 

Let's maintain respect and professionalism in the letters posted. Please submit here: https://goo.gl/forms/ruaoOO7yr5dasYGE2

Letters will be added under the theme pages on the right-hand side of this blog. There are already some here. 

I am excited about where this may go. If there are folks interested in developing the concept or online presence, please reach out. And if it doesn't go far, I will have at least tried. 

Now is the right time to write -- make our voices heard. We are dealing with something unprecedented in the USA. For example: “I’m a Leninist...Lenin wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal, too. I want to bring everything crashing down, and destroy all of today’s establishment.” - Steve Bannon. This is a quote from the Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor to United States President Donald Trump. (http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/steve-bannon-will-lead-trumps-white-house) 

Thank you for your time and dedication to moral and compassionate democracy in the USA (and globally).

Warm wishes, Jennifer

DEMOCRACY by Langston Hughes

Democracy will not come
Today, this year
Nor ever
Through compromise and fear.

I have as much right 
As the other fellow has
To stand

On my two feet 

And own the land.

I tire so of hearing people say, 
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.

I do not need my freedom when I'm dead.

I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.

Freedom
Is a strong seed
Planted

In a great need.

I live here, too.
I want freedom
Just as you.