IDENTIFYING THE CORRECT POLICYMAKERS TO CONTACT

The first step in targeting policymakers is to choose the correct people to contact. Many of you will have this information readily available, however it is important to monitor elections and political appointments to keep your list of targets updated.

Possible contacts will include local mayors, town council members, and state legislators, among others. Local phonebooks and state government Web sites are helpful resources to locate the best contacts. Additionally, education resource guides and the materials at local government offices are also useful. On the national level, the Internet can help you decide which legislators to contact. (See "Be Heard: research and contact your politicians")

Communicating with policymakers via e-mail or fax are good options when time is of the essence (though letters remain the most effective form of written communication). Before sending an e-mail or fax, it is wise to call the policymaker’s office and ask which method of communication is preferred. When e-mailing officials on any level, be sure to give your full name, company, address, phone number and e-mail address, and use the proper salutation in all correspondence. We suggest you follow the same format when sending a written letter.

E-mail addresses for members of Congress listed by name can be found at the following Web sites (Please note: all members may not have an e-mail address):

U.S. Senators
www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm

U.S. Representatives
www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html

WRITING TO GET THE ATTENTION OF POLICYMAKERS

The simplest way to communicate with a public official is to write a letter. Personal letters demand the greatest amount of attention in both local and national policymakers’ offices. Letters should be brief, concise, neat and typed. State your message clearly at the start of the letter (“We are contacting you because we want to explain the importance of student involvement in public life”). Next, give the details of your story (“[your school] is partnering with community groups to host events for the Raise Your Voice campaign.) Keep it brief and relevant to your overall message.

The policymaker needs to understand the personal and meaningful reasons why you are writing to him or her. Your letter will stand out and demand attention if the policymaker views you as a knowledgeable person.