ObesityVote.com
 is a grassroots effort.

Last Updated
11/21/05

©Copyright 2005
Tammy W. Rigney DBA Bird's Eye Graphics.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission from Bird's Eye Graphics is prohibited.

  Web site designed and maintained by Bird's Eye Graphics. Please report any broken links, errors, or omissions. Contact us for all permissions, questions, and comments.

Please review our privacy policy.

Instructions for Writing to your Legislators

Steps for sending your letter to your legislators.

  1. Make your message most effective by considering our points to include in your letter.

  2. Browse through the obesity facts bulletin for persuasive items to include in your letter.

  3. Build your letter to your legislator.

Effective Letters Get Read!

Making your letter effective in getting the results you want is very important. Effective letters get the most consideration. There are several things to keep in mind when writing an effective letter to your legislator. Letters that have no return address or phone number tend to get discarded. Also, letters that ramble on and don't stick to the subject tend to be less effective. The following information will help you construct your letter in a more effective manner that will make sure your letter is not discarded. Follow these points when constructing your letter:

It is best to send your letter to your local legislators.

Never use cookie-cutter letters or templates.

Make your letter personal and well thought out.

Keep your letter simple, concise, and to the point.

Have only one topic or issue.

State your credentials: your personal experience.

Use specific examples to support your position, including your personal experiences and known facts about obesity.

State what action you want them to take, such as vote for or against an issue.

Keep your letter to one page, if possible.

Be courteous and respectful without gushing; don't be rude, use profanity, or make threats; don't demand a response.

State the facts; don't use too much emotion; don't let your passion get in the way of making your point. 

Thank your representative for taking the time to read your letter.

Always include your full name, address, and phone number. Anonymous letters won't get you anywhere.

Letter Formatting

The style, format, and layout of the letter itself is very important. Only those letters containing real, full names, addresses, and phone numbers are taken seriously. The letter should be addressed to the correct person, including their title, and spelled correctly. Political Action Committees (PACs) recommend a three-paragraph, structured letter:

Paragraph 1: State the purpose of the letter, listing any credentials (obesity status, explained below). Be brief, but to the point. Be sure to cite the correct bills you are discussing.

Paragraph 2: Give more details. Be factual but not emotional. Give specific rather than general information supporting your request. (This includes facts about your personal obese condition and how it affects you and others.)

Paragraph 3: Close your letter by requesting the action you want taken: a vote for or against a bill or change in policy.

Sample Letter

 The following is a sample of how the letter should be constructed:

Return
address information		 Your Full Name
Your Full Address
Your City, State, ZIP Code
Your Daytime Phone Number with Area Code
 
Today's date

July 4, 2005
 
Representative's Complete Address The Honorable John P. Doe
Representatives Address
Representatives City, State, ZIP Code
 
Greeting or Salutation Dear Senator John P. Doe,
(Title should be Senator--if Senator, or Delegate or Mr. or Mrs.-- if delegate, followed by Full Name.)
Body > > >

Opening: purpose of letter State the purpose for your letter. Give your credentials; let them know if you are morbidly obese, formerly-morbidly obese, or a friend or family member of someone of either description. Keep it brief--about two to five sentences. Be sure to mention the bills by name, HB1936 and SB1032.
 
State your case: be brief and factual Give details about how being morbidly obese has affected your life and health and those around you. If you have had weight-loss surgery, include details about how much weight-loss surgery has helped your health and life. Mention your BMI, your co-morbidities, and medications and how these things were affected by weight-loss surgery.
 
Closing paragraph: ask for Close the body of your letter by asking for them to vote for this measure when it comes before the Senate or House.
Body > > >

END  OF  LETTER  BODY
Closing Sincerely,
 
Signature Your Full Name

If you are writing the letter on paper and mailing it to them, address the envelope:  The Honorable (delegate or senator's full name).

The above information was excerpted from About.com.

  
 


 ©Copyright 2005 Tammy W. Rigney DBA Bird's Eye Graphics. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission from Bird's Eye Graphics is prohibited. Web site designed and maintained by Bird's Eye Graphics. Please report any broken links, errors, or omissions. Contact us for all permissions, questions, and comments. Please review our privacy policy.