1. Briefly introduce yourself, your organization, and the issue about which you are writing.
   Example: "As Director of Services at the Loon State Family Education Partnership, I am deeply concerned about proposed cuts to funding for the XYZ Program."
2. Your legislator may not be familiar with your organization, program, or issue. Help him/her place the issue into context by providing, if applicable:
   • The name and specific piece of legislation that would affect your organization's program (e.g., the 2002 Health Families Act, HF 1234/SF 5678)
   • The name of the state agency that administers funding to your program (e.g., Department of Children, Families, and Learning)
   • The name of the state program under which the work you do is classified (e.g., Adult Basic Education)
3. Briefly state the position you are urging the legislator to take on your issue. One sentence is fine - you will provide more detailed reasons in the next paragraph.
   Example: "I am writing to urge you to support the 2002 Healthy Families Act, which would restore critical funding to this program."

1. Re-state the specific action you are asking the legislator to take.
2. Keep the door open! Offer to be a resource to the legislator on this issue, provide more detailed information/statistics, and testify if there is a hearing regarding your issue.
3. Thank the legislator for his or her consideration and, if applicable, for supporting your issue in the past. While this last point may require some research on your part, acknowledging the legislator's record on your issue shows that you are paying attention to how he/she votes!

Your name