>Unfortunately, as someone who has written
>legislative advocay letters quite a bit as a part of various job position,
>I have to let you know that sending in a lot of pre-fab letters doesn't
>mean as much as sending in letters that really discuss the specific impact
>of legislation on your specific institution.  Letters can be especially
>effective if they are not only thoughtfully written, but signed by
>important people like museum directors and trustees (who may have personal
>relationships with politicians). It's also important to copy AAM on these
>letters so that they can read, and then include in their own advocacy
>efforts, specific examples given by you about how the proposed legislation
>will affect the important work that we do in museums.
 
 
>Richard Chute                           [log in to unmask]
 
 
I appreciate your viewpoints and suggestions.  I feel so frustrated however,
since I *don't* know all of the issues, I just *know* in my gut the NEA is
important.... also, I don't work in a museum (yet, still looking...), and don't
have any specific stories to relate on how the NEA has personally helped my
institution.  I'm just a small worm in the big apple...
I think the AAM call to arms would have upset me less, if it had maybe outlined
some important NEA issues, past accomplishments, etc,  and outlined
 a letter we little, less experienced  people could have expounded on.  As it
stands, I feel a little lost for words on this important topic. and I do care!
Allison
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                                Allison Smith
                        University of Wisconsin Madison
                   School of Library and Information Studies
                            [log in to unmask]
 
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