Grassroots Toolkit: Organizing Letter Writing

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A few well-thought out letters on a topic can have a profound impact on a legislator. Most receive only a few letters on most issues, so they assume that a single letter represents the views of many people. Here are some ideas to help you organize letter writing sessions at your meeting, church or group or to encourage Friends to write at home.

Chose a topic

Gauge your group to choose an attention-getting topic. Are they more interested in local issues, international issues, or social issues? Can you tie letter writing to adult religious education programs, community events, or special days such as Hiroshima Day, Martin Luther King Day, or Mother's Day?

Also, choose topics that are timely so that they will have a maximum impact on legislators. Stick to just one issue at a time and keep information to one or two pages to avoid overwhelming people. If you organize consistent letter writing sessions for your meeting, church or community group, try varying the topics to widen the circle of people who participate.

Use FCNL’s Legislative Action Message

FCNL's Legislative Action Message (LAM), produced weekly while Congress is in session, is a good place to get ideas and action suggestions for current topics. You may subscribe to the LAM email list or find a printer-friendly version of the LAM on FCNL's web site.

Try FCNL’s monthly letter writing kits

If your meeting is interested in letter writing on a monthly basis, FCNL also produces a monthly letter writing kit. The kit includes a quick summary of a particular issue and gives advice on who to write and what to say.

Set up a letter writing table

Setting up a table after worship service or a meeting can spur people to sit down and write. The table should be clearly marked and equipped with paper, pens, stamps, envelopes, postcards, and information sheets (letter writing kits, LAMs, or articles you put together). Have on hand the addresses of the people in Congress or the administration you are writing. Seed the table with a few people. Nothing draws like a crowd.

Promoting letter writing

When people get back positive letters or positively influence a congressperson’s vote, report that information. It can really boost enthusiasm. A letter writing table or event is an easy and social way to get people involved, but you may also want to encourage people to write letters individually. Consider including weekly or monthly letter writing information in your meeting or church newsletter or announcements.

Reviewed: 12/15/2005

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