Advocacy Tips: Writing your elected officials

What's your vision for the future of Minneapolis? At Our Streets Minneapolis local advocacy is one way we're making our city a place where biking, walking, and rolling are easy and comfortable for everyone. Our advocacy work depends on people like you raising your voices to push our city in the direction you'd like it to go. One way you can do this is by writing to your elected officials. 

Tips for writing to your elected officials

Depending on what is most effective with your elected officials, an email from your personal account, handwritten letter or letter on personal stationery can be a very powerful communication tool.  

Here are some tips for how to set up your email or letter:

Date

Salutation (Dear Council Member, Mayor, Commissioner, etc.)

Paragraph 1

• Include a brief statement about who you are (person who gets around by walking or rolling, parent riding a bike with kids, etc.)

Paragraph 2

• State the specific issue about which you are writing
• Use relevant data, when applicable, to back up your issue

Paragraph 3

• Tell your personal story in a heartfelt, but brief manner. Why should they care? How does this issue affect you?

Closing (Thank you, Sincerely, etc.)

Name and home addres  

Don’t forget to sign it if you are writing or typing your letter!

Would you like to join passionate folks like you working for a better Minneapolis? Check out our volunteer opportunities where you can work directly on local organizing and help shape our advocacy priorities.