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Action Center  Action Tips |
Member Path
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Help Promote an Intergenerational Voice in Public Policy
Become Better Informed
Learn more about intergenerational public policies and their impact on children, youth, older adults, and families.
Engage Your Co-Workers, Neighbors, and Community
Over a brown-bag discussion, dinner with friends, or at a town hall forum, share your thoughts about why incorporating an intergenerational approach to an issue is important to you and the individuals and families you represent. Use real-life examples of people who have benefited and would be impacted by proposed changes. Invite persons with expertise who can provide quality information and be available to respond to questions.
Write a Letter to the Editor, Meet your Editorial Board, Submit an OpEd
One of the best times to write a letter to the editor (LTE) is immediately upon seeing an article or letter with which you agree OR disagree. By responding, you provide the readers of the newspaper or magazine with another viewpoint – one that supports OR counters the writer’s opinion or conclusion. Similarly, scheduling a meeting with your local paper’s Editorial Board is a great way to raise awareness about an issue. This is especially true when you arrive with other community leaders who stand together on behalf of a shared vision. Asking recognized leaders within your community to co-author an Opinion Editorial (OpEd) is another excellent approach and enhances the likelihood that the submission will be selected for publication. Contact GU (gu@gu.org) for more information than can help you write LTEs or OpEds.
Other Media Outreach
Involve someone who knows how to work with the media. This person can put together a “press packet” of materials to educate the media about what you and your group are trying to accomplish. Include data on the numbers of young people and older adults that live in your state and in individual counties. You can find this information at http://www.census.gov. Be sure to include personal stories and the telephone number and email address of a contact person who can answer the reporter’s questions and direct reporters to specific individuals who are willing to share their stories.
Contact Your Members of Congress
Personal calls, letters, and emails to your members of Congress are very important. Click on the above links to find your legislators and their contact information. Prepare and sign your letter (be sure to include your home address so your representative will know you reside in his/her district) and send it on. The goal is to encourage your members of Congress to advocate for the wellbeing of children, youth, and older adults. Try to keep your letter to a single page, make your points clearly, include personal examples when you can, and your legislator for considering your views.
Visit Your Members of Congress
Like a personal email or letter, visiting your member of Congress is a great way to make your voice heard. You can do this in your home district or state by visiting the member's office, attending a town hall forum, or making a special trip to Washington, D.C. Call your member's office and ask to schedule a meeting when the Representative or Senator will be in your area. Take a few like-minded people who can discuss the issue as well and if possible, include people who are or have been personally affected. Do meet with the member's legislative assistant since legislative staff regularly updates members on visits such as yours. Leave behind materials and information that offer clear, concise explanations for your views and what you would like the member to do in order to support those views before Congress. Contact GU (gu@gu.org) for talking points that can help facilitate your visit with your member of Congress. GU can also forward you materials about specific intergenerational policy issues that you can leave behind. Be sure to follow up with a thank you letter, again summarizing your position and sending any additional information that was requested. Finally, stay in touch and build a relationship with the staff person from your meeting who could be critical for the success of your advocacy efforts.
Stay Involved Thanks for recognizing that people of all agens need adequate income, access to quality health care and social services, educational and employment opportunities, and a safe place to live. Your voice is unique, important, and helps make a difference.
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