Now what?
If you are tempted to sit back and wait for our newly elected or reelected candidates to go to Washington D.C. or the Ohio Statehouse and do good things, then my friend I must tell you that you are resting on the job! This is only the beginning of a two-, four-, or six-year, or maybe even longer relationship with the people who represent you. They need your support now as much as ever. Your legislators need and want to know what you think about the issues and their positions on those issues. They represent YOU and they cannot do that if they do not know you.
May I make a suggestion?
Write a congratulatory note to every elected official who represents you in some capacity. Thank them for their commitment to serve the people of their district or state and reaffirm your Pro-Life stance. And when I say write, I mean get out a note card and pen and write the note. A hand-written note is the most effective means to send this message to your legislator – it’s the most personal way to communicate and stands out among other correspondence. These notes don’t have to be long – a few sentences are all you need:
- Congratulate them on a successful bid for election.
- Thank them for their commitment to serve the district or state.
- Thank them for their support for any and all upcoming legislation that defends life from
conception until natural death (If the person is not Pro-Life, then ask him/her to learn more
about the views of his/her Pro-Life constituents and offer to assist).
- Assure him/her that you will pray for them.
This is one way to begin a dialogue with your elected officials. So often the only time our legislators hear from people is when they are displeased with their actions – and who wants to listen to someone who only has negative things to say to us? Start off on this pleasant note and you will more likely be able to build a positive dialogue – one that is built on kindness and respect. After all, isn’t that the kind of relationship you’d like to have?
What else can you do?
Get involved in Greater Columbus Right to Life and/or support our work financially.
Without a doubt, Greater Columbus Right to Life will work to promote life-affirming legislation and public policy, but that’s only a part of what we do. We cannot rely solely on our government to protect life. We must also educate others and advocate for the vulnerable. 2011 holds some exciting opportunities for us to educate our high school and college students and the general public, to increase our advocacy at the local abortion facilities and to empower Pro-life people to influence the people and world around us.
Please help us make these opportunities a reality. Whether it’s mentoring high school or college students, hosting a pro-life apologist to help us become better equipped to explain our pro-life position, taking our message to the general public at a community fair, organizing 40 days of prayer and fasting at one of Franklin County’s four abortion facilities, or any of our other education and advocacy programs, we can do nothing without the financial and volunteer support of those who stand with us to defend life.
To make an online tax-deductable donation to our education fund, become a member of Greater Columbus Right to life, or to volunteer, please visit us at www.gcrtl.org/join-us.html.
Every dollar counts. Every volunteer matters. Together we can change minds, change hearts, and save lives.