It takes such a "head of steam" to write a letter to the editor, or to your elected representative. There's the burst of creativity that results in a stirring missive, suitable for framing, and then there's the discouraging search for the actual person who represents you in Sacramento or Washington, the envelope-and-stamp hunt, the address confirmation—should I send to the local office or the seat of power? Finally, after half a day, you're ready for the trip to the mailbox.

In the American Lung Association's "Best-Kept Secrets" Department is an e-mail "Advocacy Network"—a fast, effective way to connect to your very own elected official, whether state legislator, state senator, congressional representative, or U.S. Senator. It not only informs you of lung health issues that you care about, but also makes it as easy as three clicks to send a letter to your elected representative.

Signing up is easy!

Till now, the Association has advertised this service with a few simple lines:

"Here's an easy way to make your voice heard about important policy issues. Sign up as an activist with American Lung Association of California, and offer your opinion to decision makers on key issues."

This approach has garnered San Diego and Imperial Counties less than 100 members of an extraordinarily effective system—a system that thousands of people would actually love to have and use if only they knew just how easy and un-bothersome it is.

Let's start with un-bothersome:
Signing up for this network (actually, there are two networks: a state-wide network under the auspices of the American Lung Association of California and a national network run by the American Lung Association headquartered in New York City) does not subject you to an onslaught of spam. You identify the areas that you care about (asthma, tobacco, health care, clean air, etc.) and you'll get maybe one or two e-mails per month. AND no sharing of your name with other organizations. (That's a no-no, we don't do it.)

This network is used for targeted purposes. You're not asked to tell your elected official about every tiny detail that arises. This program sends you a message about key issues, at critical times in the legislative process. You and other members of the Advocacy Network provide opinion leverage which is most effective when used sparingly. Our advocates in Sacramento and Washington know this. The result is an intelligent application of a mass communication program that demands (this is the really great part) swift response from Network members.

And it's easy to be swift!
The Advocacy Network program is geared to being easy for those in a hurryŠ. and flexible enough for those who don't want to send off just a form letter. Either way works quickly and easily. Here's how:

Typical Advocacy Campaign
A campaign starts with a decision by the Association (either in Washington or Sacramento) to draft a "constituent communication" on an urgent topic. Then you, as a member of the Advocacy Network, receive an e-mail call to action. The e-mail includes a link; click on it and you are at your individual page in the Advocacy Network internet site, where you can examine the draft letter and see the addressees—your elected representatives. At this point, you can customize the draft letter with a few choice phrases of your own, or just click to send. It's that easy!

Did I mention it's free?

The American Lung Association is committed to advocating in support of lung health. Motivating constituents is a critical element of the effort. It makes no sense to charge for membership in the Advocacy Network—we need all the help we can get! So if you're worried about the cost, make a contribution. But this Network doesn't solicit money. We need your opinion, your voice, and about 30 seconds a month (or more—if you like) of your time.

One of the amazing elements of the Advocacy Network is that it can identify who your elected representatives are—either in Sacramento or Washington—merely by cross-checking your address. When you register for the first time, you enter this basic information and as districts and representatives change, the Network stays current. So no longer do you have to search around or try to save that newspaper listing of who to write to.

Another fun feature of the Network is that you can log in to your individual page and see your track record of communications—what you've said, to whom, and when. How's that for an easy filing system?

So, let's see—it's free, it's easy, it's un-bothersome, it's effective, and it is designed to make your voice especially effective in influencing policies that you care about. Here at the Association, we can't find anything wrong with that! So why are there less than 100 people in our Network? We launched it about a year ago with as much fanfare as we could muster. But the noise level today is pretty high, and, frankly, most people just don't think something could be really this good, easy, or fun. Maybe they just need a better invitation to join.

Signing up is easy, too (of course—it's gotta be!) Go to http://www.lungaction.org/AM_LUNG_CA/home.html. You'll be glad you did. Really!!

With best wishes,
Ross Porter
Communications Director