Send an email to your state legislator
http://www.unionvoice.org/aftmichigan/home.html

CONTACT YOUR STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

MI STATE REPRESENTATIVES
http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp

MIChIGAN STATE SENATORS
http://senate.michigan.gov/SenatorInfo/find-your-senator.htm

CONGRESS
http://www.house.gov/writerep/

SENATOR LEVIN
http://levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

SENATOR STABENOW http://stabenow.senate.gov/email.htm

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Join the PAC
Contact Dan Golodner or contact the union office for information on when the next PAC meeting is and what committees you might be interested in. Above all attend the meetings to learn more so you can talk to your co-workers about issues facing our union and WSU. Remember, attending a PAC meeting also counts as WSU service.

Dan Golondner: ab6292@wayne.edu

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Contact Tip Sheet

Your approach to communicating with colleagues will obviously vary according to how well you know the people you talk with. What follows are some general ideas that may be helpful.

Things to keep in mind:
1) take advantage of departmental mail boxes, email, and faculty/staff meetings to alert colleagues to the issues, using the handouts in the pocket folder to get attention (the graphs on the prison inmate population are especially dramatic);

2) when you talk to people one-on-one, use the same handouts to get people looking at the issue as soon as possible;

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3) start with people you know will support the effort and sign the petition. It helps to have the “bandwagon” effect of signatures already on the petition when you approach people you are less sure of,

4) approach as many people as you can, including those who may be border-line sympathetic. But avoid arguments— it is a waste of your energy and time. Just leave a flyer, “sorry-to-have-bothered-you,” and move on.

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One-on-One
After greetings, mention right away that you are working with the union’s Political Action Committee, and hand them the flyer on prison inmates.

“Have you had a chance to look at this?”

If yes, ask what they think of it. Yes or no, urge them to take a look at the graphs on Michigan’s inmate population compared to neighboring states. It turns out we are imprisoning a lot more people, and crime rates are higher, not lower.

“The Newsletter has outlined some of the proposals for reducing the number and cost of non-violent inmates in ways that could allow us to shift $500 million to education, healthcare, and, in particular, Wayne State.”

Mention proposed legislation to reform sentencing guidelines for non-violent crimes and improve opportunities for supervised parole for inmates with good records. These proposals are summarized in the September Newsletter

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“But we need to put more pressure on Lansing to change long-term budget priorities and shift the tax burden to those who can better afford to pay.”

Ask them if they would sign the petition. Explain that we intend to join with sympathetic legislators in Lansing to announce the results and the need for long-term reform of prisons, taxes, and state spending priorities.

If they are for whatever reasons uncomfortable with signing the petition, offer them the sample letter to their legislator.

“It will take more than petitions. We need to support candidates, particularly out-state candidates, who understand the importance of WSU to the state economy and welfare, and the need to shift state priorities. Can you make a contribution to such a campaign?”

There are many potential questions you may get about the campaign and the Political Action Committee. See PAC FAQs for ideas on how to handle these.

The contribution form asks for whatever amount they can afford, from $5 on up. The optimal outcome, of course, is that they give you a check on the spot.

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Often, however, they will want to “think it over” or “the checkbook is at home.” Offer them a campus-mail envelope to send their check to the office, and urge them to join us in future lobbying efforts by checking off the box on the form.

If they give you a check or indicate they are going to send one in, offer them (in addition to your thanks) one of our “SOS” Life Preserver logos.

Can I give you one of these or put it on you door? It lets others know you are supporting the campaign to support WSU.

Keep a list of those who indicate they will send something in and let the office know who they are. We can then let you know when the check arrives or, if it doesn’t, that they need a friendly reminder.

We need to collect the petitions and contributions no later than the end of October.

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AAUP-AFT, Local 6075 - 5057 Woodward Avenue - Suite 3301 - Detroit, Michigan 48202-4050 - Phone: (313) 577-1750 / Fax: (313) 577-8159