What is a sign on letter? A sign on letter is a letter to an official to which several or more different groups of people have added their names as a sign of their organizations' support for the action which the letter is recommending. We do sign on letters rather than petitions because they provide more bang for our buck. No actual John Hancock's are collected. The groups verbally agree to let you put their name at the bottom of your letter.

Why do we do this?

1. To show the targeted official that your issue has broad support. It is more effective and efficient way of demonstrating support than a petition drive. A petition drive gives us a list of anonymous signatures. A sign on letter not only shows that a large number of of people support your issue (represented by the organization that signs on), but also allows you to show the kinds of people, their diversity of interests, and any special political pull the groups represent.
2. Also, consider the legwork involved in collecting 2,500 signatures verses having 5 organizations who represent 500 people each agree to support you.
3. To educate and sensitize our "allies" to the issue. The sign on letter is also a very important way to get groups that have intersecting interests to start thinking about, and getting invested in your issue.
4. And finally, you can use a sign on letter to establish or strengthen contacts within these organizations that you can return to over and over again as the campaign progresses.

Anatomy of the Sign on Letter:

1. Unless you have worked closely with them before, you should approach groups you want to sign on by first sending them a letter introducing them to your letter. Also send a copy of the letter to the official and any special documents that will be attached to the letter to the official.
2. Follow up with by phone as soon as you think they have receive the letter. Did you get our letter? Do you have any questions? Can we say that you support these changes/this issue? Be prepared to explain or defend your issue.
3. If you are working on a very large campaign you can use groups to leverage other groups by including the "Endorsements" page in the outreach letter to the new groups you want on board.
4. Set a limits and goals. How many groups do you want to target? When do you want this letter to go out? When groups have to respond by?
5. When you have all the groups you want on board, and you are ready to send the letter make sure that you make copies of the complete letter - the letter itself, the list of groups who support it, and any documents that are attached- to send to your elected representatives. The need to be brought on board too.

Follow up and thank the organizations for helping you and keep them abreast of your progress.

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