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Many decision makers still don't use e-mail regularly and consequently
don't place much value on e-mail correspondence.While all of this
is likely to change over time, we have a long way to go before
policy makers really accept e-mail correspondence as an indicator
of public opinion.
This does NOT mean that e-mail is a less effective tool for outreach
and advocacy. It just means that we need to recognize its limitations
and develop our online advocacy strategies accordingly.
E-mail is still a powerful tool for educating and mobilizing
activists. Use it to let your members know when phone calls or
letters are necessary, and to distribute sample letters and the
addresses and phone numbers of targeted decision makers. Use it
to educate activists by directing them to online background information.
Use it to "brainstorm" with other activists about strategy, and
to recruit volunteers.
But for the time being, we recommend that you pick up the phone
or put a letter in the mail box when you want to communicate your
concerns to policy makers.
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