An important part of any effective pro-choice strategy is learning how to successfully deal with the media and how to lobby politicians. Lobbying is not just the work of professionals, however. Anyone can become an influential pro-choice activist. Writing letters to newspapers: Getting a letter published is a number game. Editors receive many more letters than they can possibly use. Get several of your friends to write letters at the same time. Letters’ editors usually count the letters they get on each subject and then select a representative few. Mentioning a politician’s name in a letter is one good way to get his or her attention. Public officials are especially sensitive about what is said of them. Here are a few pointers: Address your letter as: Letter to the Editor If you are responding to a previous letter, editorial or article, state the title, author and date of it in your letter. Strike while the issue is hot – no later than several days if possible. If you can, fax your letter through. Cover only one topic in a letter. Be brief as possible. Where possible, use humour. Offer a positive solution, or end with a good solid punchline. Always sign your letter and include full address and phone number. Remember, it is difficult with even the best of letter writers to get in print. A lot depends on the newspaper and its particular slant. Sometimes, a polite but firm call to the letters’ editor will help. Do not overlook your local paper. You can still reach a lot of people that way. Besides, your local member often reads those smaller papers. Writing to politicians: The impact of letter writing should not be underestimated. As one politician put it, "If we get as few as 5 letters from individuals on one piece of legislation, it gets our attention." Moreover, there is an unofficial rule of thumb which states that for every letter or call a politician receives, he expects that it represents several hundred votes. Here are some hints on how to write effectively to politicians: Get a list of your State and Federal Members. Just call your local Member who will send you a complete, up-to-date listing of all members. Be selective. Find out which Minister or Member is most directly involved in the issue you are addressing. Make sure you get his name and title correctly spelled and make sure to get the correct address. Be legible! It is surprising how often politicians receive letters they can’t even read. Politicians actually respond better to a hand-written letter. But if your handwriting is atrocious, if possible, use a computer or typewriter. Be specific. Write about one issue per letter. Be brief. No more than one page if possible. Longer letters often are not read. Be courteous. Even if writing to a political enemy, write in a constructive, positive manner. Be personal. Write in your own words. Do not use form letters or copy someone else’s letter word or word – paraphrase if you must. Explain how the issue will affect you and your family. Be informed. Make sure you have your facts straight. Do not rely on rumour or hearsay. Enclose newspaper clippings, etc., to back up your point. Be timely. Don’t delay. Follow up an issue as soon as it breaks, or you will miss out. Be tenacious. Ask specific questions that must be answered by a specific person. Send follow-up letters if necessary. Be authoritative. Use expert opinion and literature with facts and figures. Be supportive. After a vote is taken, write back and say thanks if your advice was followed. Here are some important "don’t’s" to remember: Don’t use threatening language or be abusive and disrespectful. Don’t be a pen pal. Quality, not quantity is important. Don’t wear out your welcome by writing every day on ever issue. Don’t be afraid to point out your qualifications or expertise in an area, where possible. Don’t give up! You won’t always get a good response, or a positive outcome, but keep trying. Visiting or calling politicians: Many of the points mentioned above are relevant here. Other hints include: Find the right target. Determine who is the appropriate person and which is the appropriate level, department or office to target. Some issues are the responsibility of the local council, some of the State Government, some, the Federal Government. Sometimes the areas overlap. Make sure you have the correct information. Find out what specific bill or piece of legislation is in question. Know your facts, and present them in an intelligent and logical manner. Present your case calmly and reasonably, not in a heated or angry fashion. Be polite and respectful. Stay clear of personal insults and abuse, and keep the conversation on an objective level. Prepare a one-page summary of your case to give out, and have any documentation available as well. If you visit a politician with others coming along, make one person the spokesperson. Make clear what action or result you want achieved. Do not be vague or moan about all of the world’s ills, but attack specific problems with specific solutions. Try to deal with only one subject per call/visit, and try to be brief. Present your argument succinctly and to the point. Do not just call or visit when you have a complaint or criticism. If a politician has done something positive, let him know about this as well. Talk back radio This is an important way to get your views across to a wide audience. Tens of thousands of people can be reached by a short comment made on talk back radio. Many of the suggestions made above apply here. Keep a list of the talk back numbers and stations you listen to near your telephone. To obtain these contact details, click here. When an invitation for calls is given, call in as soon as possible, to get in the queue. Try to listen to what the previous callers are saying. Begin with a friendly "hello" or "good morning", etc. If possible, rehearse what you are going to say beforehand. Always be polite and respectful. Do not call if you are in a heat of emotion. Wait until you are cool and rational. Make sure you have your facts right. Keep it short. Make sure that your presentation can be made in one or two minutes. The radio announcer may ask you for more, so be ready for that possibility as well. Keep your comments relevant to the topic at hand. Be very specific in your remarks. Do not try to solve all of the world’s problems in one hearing. Do not be discouraged if you do not get on. Keep trying! Some Metropolitan Newspapers: The Australian, GPO Box 4162, Sydney NSW 2001 02 9288 3077 – FAX The Daily Telegraph, GPO Box 4245, Sydney 2001 02 9288 2300 – FAX The Sydney Morning Herald, GPO Box 506, Sydney 2001 02 9282 1748 – FAX The Sun-Herald, GPO Box 506, Sydney 2001 02 9282 3332 – FAX The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Ctr. 2610 02 6280 4884 – FAX The Age, 250 Spencer St, Melbourne 3000 03 9670 7514 – FAX Herald Sun, HWT Tower, 40 City Rd., Southbank 3006 03 9292 2100 – FAX The Courier Mil, GPO Box 130, Brisbane 4001 07 3252 6689 – FAX The Advertiser, GPO Box 339, Adelaide 5001 08 8206 3669 – FAX The West Australian, GPO Box D162, Perth 6001 09 324 1416 – FAX The Mercury, GPO Box 334 D, Hobart 7001 03 6230 0766 – FAX
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How to Lobby Effectively
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HOW TO GET YOUR POINT ACROSS