Letter-writing campaigns

Letter-writing campaigns

Why write letters?
Each member of Congress votes on behalf of their constituents, or the people in his or her district. Constituents tell their Congressmen or women which laws and legislation to support. Members of Congress pay attention to letters they receive from their constituents and often make their voting decisions based on them. So speak up and be heard! Lend your voice to Habitat’s mission.

The following ideas will help get your creativity rolling
Small letter-writing campaigns:

  • Have your friends carry a stack of postcards with a fill-in-the-blank letter to their classes. Throughout the day, share with classmates information about poverty in the United States, the need for decent, affordable housing and Habitat for Humanity. Have classmates fill in and sign the postcards. Count and mail them at the end of the day.
  • Have someone give a brief presentation about a legislative issue at a meeting or in class. Conclude the presentation with some points to include in a letter. Participants can write their own handwritten letters to a congressperson.

Medium letter-writing campaigns:

  • Set up a table in the student union or a community gathering place. Have copies of a fill-in-the-blank letter. Rotate shifts at the table so someone is there all day. Have some people help students and community members add the proper information to the letters, while others interact with the passing crowds to invite them to write a letter. Count and mail them at the end of the day.
  • Get permission from some teachers or professors to briefly speak about a legislative resolution to be considered this year. At the beginning or end of class, speak and invite classmates to write a letter using the template.

Large letter-writing campaign:

  • Partner with another social justice organization and set up multiple tables around campus or the community—in the student union, outside the cafeteria, in a library lobby, outside or in residence halls. Speak with students, faculty, staff, administration and community members as they pass by and invite them to fill out a letter template. Count and mail the letters at the end of the day.

Tips

  • Your purpose for writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. If the letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly (i.e., House bill: H.R. ___ or Senate bill: S. ___).
  • Be courteous and to the point. Include key information and use examples to support your position. Local stories and personal messages are very persuasive!
  • Address only one issue in each letter, and if possible, keep the letter to one page in length.
  • You can find physical and e-mail addresses at for senators and representatives at www.congress.org.
  • Do not be discouraged if the reply you receive is not from the congressperson. It is more than likely you will receive a reply from a legislative aide. Do not worry; at the very least, your voice was heard and recorded in terms of a tally that the congressperson will hear!
  • Please note that increased security concerns have caused a delay in mail to federal representatives. When conducting federal letter-writing campaigns, call, e-mail or fax your opinions if the vote is within two weeks.


Frequently asked questions

Who can participate in the letter-writing campaigns?

  • Executive boards.
  • Youth United Steering Committees.
  • Chapter or group members.
  • Students on campus.
  • Community members.
  • Faculty, staff, and administration.

Who should I write to?

  • The president.
  • State representative, congressperson or governor.
  • Local mayor.
  • City council member.

What will I write about?

  • Use the 2009 template.
  • Use the template from your local Habitat affiliate.
  • Compose your own.
    If it is a federal issue, confirm the subject with the Office of Government Relations and Advocacy. E-mail washingtonoffice@habitat.org, or call 202-628-9171, Ext. 4900.
    If it is a state or local issue, confirm with your local affiliate.

What correspondence format will I use?

  • A postcard or letter.
  • Pre-printed form or handwritten.
  • Template or fill-in-the-blank, personally written.
  • Petition with signatures.
  • E-mail template.

What kind of material will I use?

  • Consider using the letterhead of your chapter, affiliate or school.
  • Consider securing donated paper products, stamps and mailing labels.
  • Computers with Internet access.

When will the writing campaign take place?

  • During Act! Speak! Build! Week.
  • During another advocacy effort at your school.

Where should the writing campaign occur?

  • Inside or outside.
  • Academic buildings (e.g., library, halls), social buildings (e.g., gym, cafeteria, student union, dorms) or community centers.

How should the correspondence be delivered?

  • Mail.
  • Fax (faster delivery time).
  • E-mail (fast and least expensive).

More questions?
Contact Tamara Foglio at tfoglio@habitat.org, or call 229-410-7540.