Saratoga County Citizens Committee for Mental Health P.O. Box 820, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
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Advocate For Action
Grassroots Lobbying – How to Write Letters
Jump to a topic:
Find out Who Your Elected Representatives Are
How to Write a Letter to Your Elected Representatives
First Things First: Who are your elected representatives?
To find your elected officials: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a Legislative Action Center that will help you find your county, state and federal elected officials and help you compose letters to send to your elected officials by mail or by e-mail.
Before you go to the NAMI website, it is very helpful to have your ZipCode+four. This is because voting districts often overlap the five digit zip codes. So, the zip code + four will take the guessing out of finding your elected representatives. the
When you get to the website, put in your zip code + four and “go”. Then scroll down to all the issues. Click on an issue you would like to send a message to your representative(s), personalize the pre-written message(s), and then click on submit. Your message(s) will be automatically e-mailed to your representatives!
Go to the NAMI Take Action Page now to find your elected representatives and send them a message about a mental health issue.
For Saratoga County Supervisors go to the Saratoga County, NY website.
For NYS Assembly Members go to the NYS Assembly Member website.
For NYS Senate Members go to the NYS Senators website. http://www.nysenate.gov/?OpenForm
If you would like to keep up with current legislation or legislative issues then visit these websites:
Saratoga County website.
For New York State Legislative Issues and Bills related to mental health go to the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS)
For Federal Legislative Issues and Bills related to mental health go to the NAMI website – http://capwiz.com/nami/issues
How to write a letter to your elected representative:
A. On the envelope and on the inside heading refer to the elected official as “The Honorable (full name).”
B. Address a letter to your legislator as follows:
1. SARATOGA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
(Town Name) Town Hall
Attn: Supervisor (full name)
(Mailing Address)
Dear Supervisor (last name):
2. NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE:
a. Members of the NYS Assembly:
The Honorable (full name)
New York State Assembly
LOB (number)
Albany, NY 12248
Dear Assemblywoman/Assemblyman (last name):
b. Members of the NYS Senate:
The Honorable (full name)
New York State Senate
LOB (number)
Albany, NY 12247
Dear Senator (last name):
3. UNITED STATES CONGRESS:
a. Members of the U. S. House of Representatives:
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Representative. (last name)
b. Members of the U. S. Senate:
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, D. C. 20510
Dear Senator (last name):
C. Identify the subject clearly. Use the bill number, if applicable, when writing about an issue that has a bill pending.
D. State your reason for writing. Explain how the issue would affect you, your family, the practice, your profession and what impact it would have on your community or state.
E. If extending an invitation or requesting a meeting, suggest a time and date, or several dates, for the visit. Be flexible. Indicate the amount of time you would like with the lawmaker and the purpose of the meeting.
F. If applicable, provide brief background information about you.
G. Keep your comments short and to the point. Cover only ONE issue per letter.
H. Be reasonable. Don’t ask the impossible. Don’t use threats. Be courteous and respectful in all communications.
I. Be constructive. If a bill deals with a problem but seems to represent the wrong solution, propose constructive alternatives.
J. Avoid form letters or stereotyped phrases and sentences that give the appearance of form letters. Communications written in your own words are more effective.
L. Write when the lawmaker does something that deserves approval, too. A word of appreciation will create a more favorable light for the next communication.