IS ELECTRONIC MAIL A USEFUL LOBBYING TOOL, OR JUST A WASTE OF TIME?
Examining the myth about using email to an effective grassroots lobbying tool
By H. Paul Payne,
While traveling from meeting to meeting, spreading the NRA message that we all must join together in support of our Second Amendment freedoms, I have been frequently asked which medium has the best effect on persuading legislators to vote in support of the Second Amendment. My answer has been simple and consistent: “Whichever one that you will use!”
Experience has shown me that all methods (phone calls, faxes, email, personal visits, hand-written letters, etc.) are effective as long as we take the time to make contact. If we fail to let our representatives know our views, then we are doomed to failure. So, when prompted by an NRA alert, use whatever method you have available so that your voice will be heard in our fight for freedom.
But for years I have heard that sending email to legislators is a complete waste of time. I could not disagree more! This myth has been spread by many sources and has seemed to achieve varying degrees of believability among our members. I hope to dispel this myth right now.
As you can probably tell, I strongly support the use of email as a lobbying tool. That is because it works! It doesn’t make sense to waste time and effort on something that doesn’t work! But ask yourself, “Why would someone tell you that using email doesn’t work?” Maybe they have a reason.
Some of the advantages of electronic mail are that it is:
* Free, easy, and fast
* Leaves a record that is verifiable
* Allows almost anyone at any distance to contact their legislators
* It is a commonly acceptable form of communication in today’s modern world
Some of the dis-advantages (as viewed by others) of electronic mail are that:
* Legislative staff must deal with people that would not otherwise be able to contact them
* Political consultants and mail houses do not make money in the same way that they would if “direct mail” campaigns and lobbying were done
* Groups with email systems and technology inferior to that of the NRA might feel that NRA has an advantage in the defense of our freedoms
While it is true the NRA in California has developed some of the most effective email technologies, we are continuing to benefit from new and more effective strategic uses of this technology. Our “focused effort method” has proven to be an extremely effective tactic when used by our dedicated membership.
Some tips to make your email efforts more effective by multiplying your efforts:
* Send your email to all legislators that are suggested in the NRA alert
· If they complain that they are not your legislator, inform them that you will continue to contact them as long as they continue to vote on Second Amendment issues that affect you
· When prompted by an NRA alert, use the NRA Members’ Council “One Click” email system
· After writing your email (but before sending it), print it out and sign it, then send your email.
· If you have a fax machine, fax a signed copy
· In either case, mail the printed and signed copies to the targeted legislators
In conclusion, don’t hesitate to make phone calls, send faxes, write letters, and visit your representatives about pending Second Amendment legislation. But if you subscribe to the NRA’s alerts and contact the legislators when prompted, your emails will continue to have a tremendous affect in the legislature and the NRA will be successful in the defense of our Second Amendment freedoms. The most current NRA legislative efforts in California can be found at: http://www.nramemberscouncils.com/legs.shtml .
© 1999/2006 H. Paul Payne, All Rights Reserved.
From: http://calnra.com/tip-email.shtml
Examining the myth about using email to an effective grassroots lobbying tool
By H. Paul Payne,
While traveling from meeting to meeting, spreading the NRA message that we all must join together in support of our Second Amendment freedoms, I have been frequently asked which medium has the best effect on persuading legislators to vote in support of the Second Amendment. My answer has been simple and consistent: “Whichever one that you will use!”
Experience has shown me that all methods (phone calls, faxes, email, personal visits, hand-written letters, etc.) are effective as long as we take the time to make contact. If we fail to let our representatives know our views, then we are doomed to failure. So, when prompted by an NRA alert, use whatever method you have available so that your voice will be heard in our fight for freedom.
But for years I have heard that sending email to legislators is a complete waste of time. I could not disagree more! This myth has been spread by many sources and has seemed to achieve varying degrees of believability among our members. I hope to dispel this myth right now.
As you can probably tell, I strongly support the use of email as a lobbying tool. That is because it works! It doesn’t make sense to waste time and effort on something that doesn’t work! But ask yourself, “Why would someone tell you that using email doesn’t work?” Maybe they have a reason.
Some of the advantages of electronic mail are that it is:
* Free, easy, and fast
* Leaves a record that is verifiable
* Allows almost anyone at any distance to contact their legislators
* It is a commonly acceptable form of communication in today’s modern world
Some of the dis-advantages (as viewed by others) of electronic mail are that:
* Legislative staff must deal with people that would not otherwise be able to contact them
* Political consultants and mail houses do not make money in the same way that they would if “direct mail” campaigns and lobbying were done
* Groups with email systems and technology inferior to that of the NRA might feel that NRA has an advantage in the defense of our freedoms
While it is true the NRA in California has developed some of the most effective email technologies, we are continuing to benefit from new and more effective strategic uses of this technology. Our “focused effort method” has proven to be an extremely effective tactic when used by our dedicated membership.
Some tips to make your email efforts more effective by multiplying your efforts:
* Send your email to all legislators that are suggested in the NRA alert
· If they complain that they are not your legislator, inform them that you will continue to contact them as long as they continue to vote on Second Amendment issues that affect you
· When prompted by an NRA alert, use the NRA Members’ Council “One Click” email system
· After writing your email (but before sending it), print it out and sign it, then send your email.
· If you have a fax machine, fax a signed copy
· In either case, mail the printed and signed copies to the targeted legislators
In conclusion, don’t hesitate to make phone calls, send faxes, write letters, and visit your representatives about pending Second Amendment legislation. But if you subscribe to the NRA’s alerts and contact the legislators when prompted, your emails will continue to have a tremendous affect in the legislature and the NRA will be successful in the defense of our Second Amendment freedoms. The most current NRA legislative efforts in California can be found at: http://www.nramemberscouncils.com/legs.shtml .
© 1999/2006 H. Paul Payne, All Rights Reserved.
From: http://calnra.com/tip-email.shtml