Tips Communicating with your Elected Official in Writing

1. Write as an individual. Remember, you do not and cannot speak for the Texas Community College Teachers Association or your college. Do not use college stationery, e-mail address, or the college postage meter.
2. Know your legislator’s committee assignments, interests, and areas of expertise. Indicate your familiarity with the legislator’s past actions on an issue, especially if you are trying to change his or her mind.
3. Include your full name and return address on the letter; envelopes are often discarded.
4. Be brief; a single-page, well-organized message is best.
5. Come to the point within the first sentence or two; mention bills or resolutions by number if possible.
6. Confine your message to a single issue, bill, resolution, or area of concern. (For bills TCCTA tracks)
7. Make your specific request as clear as possible and explain exactly what you want your legislator to do.
8. Be reasonable. State your position or request, and always give reasons for your request.
9. Be constructive, and avoid insults and threats.
10. Use your own words and your own stationery. Use personal pronouns like “I” and “you.” Your letter should not read like a newspaper editorial.
11. Do not use form letters, forwarded messages, or form postcards. Petitions generally have minimal impact.
12. Type your message. Check for errors in spelling, grammar, etc.
13. Write to your legislator when he or she does something of which you approve. A note of sincere appreciation is always appropriate.
14. Allow a reasonable time for a reply; two weeks should be sufficient in most cases. However, try to write prior to the last month of a legislative session. Letters received after May 1 during the session rarely are answered promptly.
15. Send a copy of your legislator’s response to the TCCTA state office if you receive an answer or information which you think will be helpful to the Association.
16. Always use the proper form of address in writing to your legislator or other state officials.

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Political Participation Tips

Plan of Action for Grassroots Leaders:

• Fall Semester, Even-numbered Years
• Spring Semester, Odd-numbered Years
• Fall Semester, Odd-numbered Years
• Spring Semester, Even-numbered Years

Plan of Action for Every Educator:

• Meeting with Your Legislator
• Writing to Your Legislator
• Voter Registration
• Sponsoring a Candidate’s Forum
• Facts/Reminders to Legislators