Letter to the Editor Template: Friends of National Service
Letters to the editor (LTEs) in local papers are phenomenal ways to highlight AmeriCorps’ vital work in your community. Connecting federal investments in AmeriCorps with well-known local service efforts help build support for the agency among voters, and lawmakers closely follow local and regional news.
If your senator, representative, or governor was honored at this year’s Friends of National Service Awards, we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor to your local paper. This is a great way to express appreciation for the lawmaker’s support, establish or strengthen your relationship with them, and spotlight the on-the-ground work your organization does every day. Writing an LTE also helps us educate other lawmakers on how essential and effective AmeriCorps funding is.
If you are interested in writing an LTE, please alert Shanelle Oliver, Director of Advocacy and Outreach, so Voices for National Service can support and help amplify. Here is an LTE template and example to help with drafting yours.
LTE Template
Sample Headline: [HONOREE NAME] Stands Behind [TOWN/PROGRAM NAME]
Dear Editor,
With so much bad news coming at us these days, good news is incredibly welcome. That’s what [HONOREE STATE] got this month when [HONOREE NAME] [was inducted into the National Service Hall of Fame by / received the [AWARD NAME] from] Voices for National Service, a national organization that advocates for public support of AmeriCorps programs.
[HONOREE NAME]’s commitment to AmeriCorps means that our most immediate and pressing challenges from natural disasters to education, supporting veterans, and more are addressed by the [APPROX. NUMBER OF MEMBERS[1]] AmeriCorps members who serve in more than [APPROX. NUMBER OF LOCATIONS[2]] locations in our state, including [TOWN / PROGRAM NAME].
[His / Her] award comes as AmeriCorps celebrates its 30th anniversary, although sadly, Congressional funding for the program is in jeopardy. I’m proud of our [Senator / Representative / Governor] for receiving this prestigious award and urge [him / her] to continue to do everything [he / she] can to support and expand AmeriCorps.
[YOUR NAME]
[TITLE, YOUR ORGANIZATION]
[ORGANIZATION’S CITY, STATE]
[EMAIL]
[PHONE NUMBER]
LTE Example
Headline: Senator Reed Stands Behind City Year Providence
Dear Editor,
With so much bad news coming at us these days, good news is incredibly welcome. That’s what Rhode Island got this month when Senator Jack Reed was inducted into the National Service Hall of Fame by Voices for National Service, a national organization that advocates for public support of AmeriCorps programs.
Senator Reed’s commitment to AmeriCorps means that our most immediate and pressing challenges from natural disasters to education, supporting veterans, and more are addressed by the approximately 3,600 AmeriCorps members who serve in more than 200 locations in our state, including at City Year Providence.
His award comes as AmeriCorps celebrates its 30th anniversary, although sadly, Congressional funding for the program is in jeopardy. I’m proud of our Senator for receiving this prestigious award and urge him to continue to do everything he can to support and expand AmeriCorps.
John Smith
Director, City Year
Providence, Rhode Island
jsmith13@cityyear.org
(401) 333-3333
[1] AmeriCorps’ state profile will outline how many members are serving in your state: https://americorps.gov/about/our-impact/national-service-reports.
[2] Your state’s AmeriCorps state profile will also note the number of locations member serve at in your state: https://americorps.gov/about/our-impact/national-service-reports.