Return-Path: <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.9.3/8.9.0.Beta5/980425bjb) with SMTP id IAA16819; Wed, 23 Feb 2000 08:12:48 -0500 (EST) Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 08:12:48 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <20000223131124875.AAA196@main.spis.net@mail.spis.net> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: pace@spis.net (Pace Hopkins Co) To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:2748] Re: Advocacy X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Status: O Content-Length: 2885 Lines: 49 Thank you for that very nice letter about our role as a citizen and how we can make an effort to have a voice in legislature and politics. Many times I feel like a little "drop in the bucket" in these matters but discussing a program we are doing in a positive way just might be a task in which more should take action. Of course, we in the Kentucky area are concerned about the legislature actions on adult education and family literacy and I would like to know some of your comments on what is going on in the Kentucky legislature. It is possible to lobby for family literacy services? Thank you, Judy Ashmore > >From: "Tony Peyton" <tpeyton@famlit.org> >Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 15:46:20 -0500 (EST) >To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> >Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:2747] Advocacy > >As you all think about your questions on the legislative and political >processes in Washington, D.C., consider the following . . . > >Today is the best day to start a relationship with your Congressman or >Senator's office, if you haven't already. And if you already have such a >relationship, take a moment to drop them a line. Tell them about your work, >the lives you touch everyday. Let them know that what they've done in the >past is working and what they might do in the future can return even more >results. > >As former congressional staffers, we know the value of the personal contact >that a constituent might have with an office. After nearly 20 years of >combined "Hill" time, several things are clear -- first, it's the contact >from back home that matters more than anything. We've worked for 5 >different Members of Congress over our careers. We've heard from hundreds >of Washington lobbyists, had to deal with a ton of generated mail, and been >inundated with broadcast and print advertising. But, often, that avalanche >of professional media can be overcome with a handful of phone calls and >letters from the District/State. Don't underestimate the power of the pen >or the phone. And don't underestimate the impression you might bring >through a congressional staffer to the boss when you're not asking for >something -- only sharing the good news of why their work is important. > >One of the complaints about citizen lobbyists (and don't be fearful of the >term "lobbyist") or non-profit lobbyists is that they are like "normal" >lobbyists -- they don't take the time to establish a relationship with a >lawmaker and his or her staff. Break the mold. The people you serve will >be better for it. The communities in which you work will be stronger. And, >no small feat, you'll have educated a lawmaker and his or her staff -- >starting today. The simple fact of the matter is: you're relevant. Take >the time to take advantage of that fact. > >"Keep those cards and letters coming." > >Tony Peyton and Alan Lopatin >Guest Moderators > >
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Jan 16 2001 - 14:41:37 EST