Speak Your Peace!
"Democracy is not a spectator sport."
One of the goals of the Humboldt Voters' Association is to encourage public participation in our democracy. We hope to help facilitate that by providing information that makes it easier for people to do just that. Please utilize the following resources to take an active roll in defining the policy that defines the structure within which you work and live. Use them, share them with your friends and colleagues, and consider providing copies for your favorite coffee shop or watering hole.
How To Best Contact Your Representatives
City and County
Our City and County
officials are generally very good at repling to e-mails. An e-mail with
follow-up phone call is always good. If you want to write a hand written
letter, you'll find ready-to-use blank ones on the Elected
Officials Contact Page. You'll have to add the council member's name
at the top, if you wish to send it to a specific person. Otherwise, leave
it blank, and hopefully they'll give copies to the whole city council (though
you can't count on this happening).
State and Federal
Our state and federal representatives and their staff are very busy, so
the easier you make it for them to take you seriously, the more likely you will
be. E-mails are virtually worthless in many cases (some get up to 10,000 a
day). Form letters, too, do not get much recognition.
The best way to be heard is with a unique, hand-written
letter and a follow-up phone call to the representative(s) you wish to
contact.
Follow these steps:
Part One, Making a Set of ready-to-use blank letters.
1. Make yourself a folder of blank letters by downloading this
customizable word document, entering your address in the "from" box and
resaving it.
2. Save additional versions of the letter
in your folder with the addresses of your representatives - you can cut-and
paste them from the Elected
Officials Contact Page (using "paste special" may be better).
3. Now they are ready to be printed out and used whenever necessary!
Part Two, Using the blank letters.
1. Print out the letter of the representative you wish to write to.
2. Hand-write your concerns on the blank side:
a. Write a Subject line with a few words or the bill name and
SUPPORT or OPPOSE. Highlight it with a marker.
b. In the first paragraph of the body of your letter
write a one sentence summary statement of your position. Highlight it
with a marker.
c. Though 'a' and 'b' above are likely all that will be read
by the legislative aide who reads your letter, you may write further details as
you feel necessary. Be concise, brief, and polite.
3. Fold, staple, stamp, and send the letter.
4. Call the local
field office of the representative and leave a message or talk to an aide
(if no local number, call their main office number).
For more contact information, the
Elected
Officials Contact Page includes the names, offices, telephone numbers (both
local and non-local), e-mails,
and links to pre-addressed blank letters for all the elected officials related to Humboldt
County. It is a summary of all the contact info we currently have.
Consider printing out extra copies (with the "from
address" blank) for friends or to put in
your favorite coffee shop or watering hole, where you might encourage others to
participate in our democracy as well.
Resources
Elected Officials Contact Page
Blank Ready-To-Use Customizable Letter
Other ways to be heard
League of Women Voters of Humboldt County Citizens' Guide to Humboldt Government (jam-packed with information)