Resources to Help
In the Pinelands Watch publication we provide information that may be of use. We also provide links to other organizations on this website. Click here for these links

Contents
Letter writing
Dialing for Clout
Other avenues to use
Montoring Development Applications

Fundamental Elements of Letterwriting

1. Write to your representative. Correspondence from outside a legislator’s constituency is often ignored.
2. Focus on one subject. Letters that cover many topics get delayed because they have to be routed to staff members assigned to respond to each issue.
3. Identify the bill or issue. Identify it by name, number and what it will do. If possible, give the author’s name(s).
4. Be timely. Find out when your legislators are due to consider a bill, and time your correspondence accordingly.
5. Be courteous. Steer away from emotional outrage, and stick to the facts. Don’t attack the person; attack the issue.
6. Be brief. Limit your letter to one page. Concise, articulate statements are always appreciated.
7. Give Reasons. It’s not enough to say you’re opposed. Support your views with rational, convincing arguments.
8. Ask for action. Offer alternative approaches or specific calls to action. Help your legislator become focused and responsive.
9. Share expert knowledge. A scientist’s professional opinion may move a letter from a staff member’s desk into the legislator’s hand.
10. Follow-up. Praise a positive action; point out a negative one. Legislators appreciate being thanked.
11. Mention community affiliation. Avoid being “pigeonholed!” Your letter will carry more weight if a legislator realizes you represent others within the community.

Dialing for Clout

Of all the methods of communication, the telephone call is the quickest and easiest. And it can be effective. Many times, a few phone calls have saved a threatened place, alerted authorities to endangered species, or increased the budget for open space preservation.

The more calls on an issue, the greater the impact. They are tallied and reported to decision-makers just like letters.

Imagine the effect of 50 calls coming into a policy-maker’s office in one day on the same issue! We need to organize this kind of action to send a clear message about key issues.

Suppose a law or regulation you oppose is up for a vote in less than 48 hours and you want to tell your state legislator or a Pinelands Commissioner to “vote no.” Simply call and tell them exactly that.

Here are some tips for a quick call to your elected and appointed officials:

• Call Your Elected Official If you don’t know who he/she is, consult the government pages of your phone book (blue pages), and/or consult the League of Women Voters.
• Make the Call Chances are you won’t speak to your elected official, but you will speak to a staff member who will tally the call and note your position.
• Make Your Case
• Don’t be intimidated! The staffer won’t ask you detailed questions. Simply state your views on the issue.
• Ask for a Response Always keep them accountable. Although you may only receive a form letter on the specific issue, it still guarantees that your message was recorded.
• Thank the person before saying goodbye.

Avenues You Can Use

Fax and e-mail, like the phone call, are quick ways to convey messages, particularly if an issue is being debated that day and you want to get your opinion registered before an official decision is made. Even a handful of fax and e-mail messages could make a difference.

Fax Messages Fax machines in any busy office are liable to be overloaded, so it is important to keep your message simple and to the point. If the message is greater than one page, it should be sent as a letter.

E-Mail Messages Almost all of New Jersey’s U.S. Senators and Representatives have e-mail. At the state level, however, some legislators still do not have e-mail addresses. The White House encourages voters to use e-mail, and the president typically receives over 600,000 pieces of e-mail a year. The messages are read and tallied by staff, and a summary is sent to the president weekly. A few samples are pulled out for the president to read.

One very important consideration with e-mail is that you include your name and return address in the transmission so that your elected official knows that you are a constituent.

However you choose to communicate with public officials, you’ll be most effective when you:

• Focus on your elected officials.
• Concentrate on one topic.
• Identify the bill or issue.
• Communicate in a timely and courteous fashion.
• Give logical reasons for your position.
• Ask for specific action.
• Mention community affiliations.

Follow up with a “Thank you” when appropriate.

• Visit the Pinelands Commission's web site on a regular basis to review development activity in your area.
• Review applications you are concerned about at the Pinelands Commission or local Planning Board office before the public hearing is scheduled.
• Write to the Pinelands Commission early in the process if you have concerns about a piece of property.
• Coordinate with others in your community to help monitor the applications that you are concerned about. Make sure everyone is notified when an application for development will be before your Township Environmental Commission or Planning Board.