Today Rosemary Hoverson and Kathleen Ness told us about their work with "Results" writing informed letters to the editor about policies to address poverty. Their guide is attached. We thank them for their work and for making it easier for us to also write effective letters.

HOW TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR/LEGISLATOR/CONGRESSPERSON

The letter has three parts:

A HOOK TO GRAB THE READER’S ATTENTION
A STATEMENT OF CONCERN WITH AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THE READER SHOULD BELIEVE IT IS URGENT
A CALL TO ACTION

START AT THE END: WHAT IS IT YOU ARE ASKING FOR? (i.e., I ask that you support increased funding for . . .
THE MIDDLE: EXPLAIN YOUR CONCERN. Why should they join you in supporting this cause: What objective data can you provide to prove a compelling need? What story can you tell to illustrate the need? Facts make you credible; stories make you memorable.
THE BEGINNING: WHAT HOOK CAN YOU USE TO GRAB THEIR ATTENTION? (If you are writing a letter to the editor, your hook can be a reference to an article they published recently.)

REVISE. Letting the letter sit overnight so you can read it with fresh eyes the next day really helps in editing.

REALIZE your letter is not an end in itself. It is a means to establish or further a relationship. The tone of your letter not only tells the reader what your opinion is of the topic at hand, but also conveys your feeling toward them. You are always setting the stage for the next communication.

ONCE YOUR LETTER TO THE EDITOR IS PUBLISHED, send the link to your legislator/congressperson, asking that they take action. Communicate strategically. Find out who is key to furthering your cause and send your letter to them or their aide responsible for your topic of interest. If you receive a response, reply, if only to say thank you for replying.

“RESULTS is a movement of passionate, committed everyday people. Together they use their voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. Backed by the in-depth research and legislative expertise of staff, RESULTS advocates realize the incredible power they possess to use their voices to change the world.” From RESULTS website, results.org

“Raise Your Voices, Children!” is the name of the song. Lyrics by Kathleen Ness, music by Ron Franz.

Here are a couple of readings taken from our UU hymnal:

Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season.
It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year.
It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow.
Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.

By W. E. B Du Bois

Save us from weak resignation to violence,
Teach us that restraint is the highest expression of power, that thoughtfulness and tenderness are the mark of the strong;
Help us to love our enemies, not by countenancing their sins, but remembering our own.

Christian Prayer