Grassroots Advocacy Message of the Month

(Source: AAFP Washington, D.C., Grassroots Advocacy Specialist Erica Fisher)

The Internet has completely changed how citizens and lawmakers interact with one another.

More people are getting involved in public policy and lawmakers are receiving more messages from constituents than ever before. Now, the best way to stand out from the thousands of standard e-mail form letters legislative offices receive is to personalize your message.

Letters and e-mails drafted by real people put a face on an issue. They give policy makers an anecdote or story to backup the issues brought up in your letters. But, I know what you are thinking: “What about the times when I have used an American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) letter on Speak Out?”

Thankfully, it is simple: adding a personal element to your letter will separate it from all the other messages in your legislator’s inbox on the same topic.

And, your personal messages do not have to be long. Two or three sentences at the beginning of your letter or e-mail should be enough to let your legislator know that you understand the issue and how it affects family physicians.
 
Tips for personalizing your messages:

• Provide examples from your own practice: show how the issues affect you and your patients. 
• Stay professional: demonstrate your passion for the issue without using overly emotional language. 
• Remember that you are a voter: tell your legislator how the issue will affect your community and their constituents.

Sharing your stories with your lawmakers helps you connect with them on a personal level and tells them how policies impact your professional life. The personal connection you make with your legislator will not only help AAFP advocate for sound healthcare policy on Capitol Hill, but it will also keep you on the list of constituents they call to sound out how a bill may affect practicing physicians like you.