WU Letter to Your Representative Exercise

Complete the two-part Assignment.

Part 1:

Submit a message to your political representative(s). Address the following in your message:

Use the appropriate structure for the delivery format (letter or email).

Introduce yourself and your intent or request.

Describe the social problem and impacts of the policy in question.

Use facts, stories, or other details to appeal to the representative(s) and connect the policy work to their district or state.

• Provide a call to action—inspire your representative(s) to rise to this occasion.

Part 2:

• Submit a  reflection of your process for writing a message to your political representative(s). Address the following in your short reflection:
• Describe the experience of sending the message—either via letter or email—to your representative(s). How did it feel to formally advocate on behalf of a policy to alleviate a social problem you have thoroughly reviewed?
• Did you write a letter or an email? Explain your reasoning.

Describe how you constructed the letter. Use the Council on Social Work Education and American Psychological Association resources from the Learning Resources this week to support your choices.

Identify the title of the Social Justice Brief that you selected to help inform your message.

Explain why you chose the Social Justice Brief.

Explain how you used your advocacy skills in your communication.

• What are your next steps as an advocate?