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How Can We Affect Change?

How Can We Affect Change?. What do we do if we are upset with current existing policies?. There are many ways that we can affect change; these are only a few examples:. Writing to our senators and/or representatives Creating a petition and spreading awareness Protesting.

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How Can We Affect Change?

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  1. How Can We Affect Change? What do we do if we are upset with current existing policies?

  2. There are many ways that we can affect change; these are only a few examples: • Writing to our senators and/or representatives • Creating a petition and spreading awareness • Protesting

  3. Writing to your Congressman Many people believe that letters (or emails) to our congressmen just get thrown away; but that’s not true! A well thought-out letter that is written thoughtfully and respfectfully is always likely to be read, considered, and possibly responded to

  4. Steps in Writing to Your Congressmen • Make sure that your letter is specific to a single issue, and keep it concise (1 page) and to the point with specific supporting examples. • Try to keep it down to three paragraphs: • Explain why you are writing the letter and who you are (have your credentials available as well) • Provide specific factual detail about the issue that you are writing about and make sure to specifically cite bills or laws that you mention • Close your letter with the action that you want taken, what is it that you want your congressmen to do?

  5. How to Write Your Headers To your Senator: The Honorable (full name) (Room #)(Name) Senate Office Building United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 To your Representative: The Honorable (full name) (Room #)(Name) House of Reps Office Building United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

  6. Writing a Petition If you have a cause or strategy in mind to see something changed in your community, county, or nation, a petition can oftentimes help trigger that change.

  7. Sample Petition We, the citizens of the town of Metairie, petition the city to install three 10-slot bicycle racks outside the Metairie Public Library on Main Street. There is insufficient parking for the amount of residents who drive to the library, so there has been a major increase in the number of people riding their bikes. Because of the lack of bike racks, bicycles are being stolen on a regular basis. This costs both residents and the police department a great deal of time and money. I demand that the Planning and Zoning Commission fully fund the installment of bicycle racks after the November election. Name AddressPhone #SignatureVoter Reg. # Joe Smith 24 Hill Road 203-839-4444 Joe Smith 2458723

  8. Writing a Petition • Know your cause! • Make sure that your cause for petition falls under your local governments jurisdiction • Find out how many signatures you need • Learn what other information you will need with the signatures (address, telephone number, county, etc) • Know the different positions on your topic • Write the Petition • Develop a very specific and brief statement that identifies what you want people to support (precise, concise, and informative) • Add body paragraphs to support your first, declarative paragraph • Read over your summary and edit where necessary, have someone else go over your petition.

  9. Create the Signer’s Form • Create the signer’s form on a separate sheet of paper • Divide the page into 5 columns (Name, address, telephone number, signature, and voter registration number) • Make sure to have enough pages for the number of signatures you’ll need • Promote Your Petition • Use in-person tactics, talk to people and have them sign your petition • Have an online form of your petition to promote through email and social media • Make sure your cause is getting online attention • Try to get media coverage; alert news and radio stations

  10. Staging a Protest Expressing your views via civil protest is a time-honored means of social activism. It can be more difficult to plan and stage than other means, but oftentimes this is the best way to get the most attention for your cause.

  11. Steps: • Decide what you want to protest; have a clear focus • Know your cause; research it thoroughly knowing both sides of the argument • Enlist some help; use social media to gain publicity • Find a good place to protest; check with your local police to make sure that what you are planning is legal. You might need a permit to protest in some areas. • Make posters, fliers, visual aids, or pamphlets to help communicate your concerns to others during the protest. Communicate these things through social media and email beforehand. • Use your vehicle as a promotional tool (signs, bumper stickers, etc.)

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