Recently, a plethora of campus activist groups have been snagging lunchgoers to get them to write postcards and letters to their congresspeople on everything from welfare issues to environmental protection. Letter writing is a time-honored form of political action, but why? Does it really do anything?

Surprisingly, congresspeople themselves say yes. In an article from the old journal Congressman's Report. former Representative Morris K. Udall wrote, "I read every letter written to me by a constituent. A staff member may process it initially, but it will be answered, and I will insist on reading and personally signing the reply." Admittedly, Senator Udall maybe more conscientious about his mail than his colleagues, but it is true that letters count a great deal. Given the number of constituents a congressperson represents and the number who actually bother to ever write, one letter is assumed to voice the opinion of a large body of like-minded citizens who were too lazy or busy to pick up a pen, Does this mean we can rest easy, knowing that some good voter out there is writing a letter on our behalf? No way, because lots of letters on an issue mean even more assumed "silent support" and because letters about everything under the sun from the same person are less valuable than lots of letters from different people.

Another surprise is that phone calls and letters carry equal weight. Faxed letters, however, are considered intrusive and annoying by some congressional offices. These days, e-mail is another option. Most congresspeople are on-line by now. The value given to e-mail varies among the offices, but some even have pages on the WEB (the President's e-mail address, by the way, is president@whitehouse.gov, and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd's is sendodd@dodd.senate.gov).

If your group needs to do a letter-writing campaign, there are some things to keep in mind. Address things correctly: Senator _____, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20S10 or Representative ______, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. Write only to the congressperson in the district you vote in (or maybe another one who is on a pertinent committee). Letters and phone calls are only counted from district voters, and "congressional courtesy" procedures provide that letters from outside a given district are simply transferred to the office of the writer's district. Hand write your letter if your handwriting is legible. Typewritten letters are suspected of being form letters that one "crazy rebel" wrote and you just signed without reading. For similar reasons, avoid petitions. When possible, identify specific bill numbers or at least popular titles of bills, like The Crime Bill. Also identify why you oppose or support it. Express your reasons in your own words when possible; avoid using catchphrases associated with certain organizations or lobbying groups. Make your argument personal; explain how you are affected ("As a college student, these education funding cuts win affect me in the following ways..."). Include a return address and ask for a response. You WILL get one (usually). I have a thick collection of form-letter responses from governors, senators, and CEOs. The hedging and vagueness is truly hilarious; you will have hours of humorous pleasure reading. Don't make threats about withholding your vote in the next election. Officials are not really frightened by this and its a good way to piss off your potential allies. Corporations, on the other hand, need you to buy their stuff, and they get nervous when your whole household threatens with a boycott. Write as an individual, even when the letter action is organized by a national organization. Amnesty International has been using this tactic for years to trick foreign governments into thinking they are under the watchful eye of thousands of "concerned individuals" who all miraculously know their capitol building's address and the doings of their secret police. Last, keep your letter SHORT; one page tops.

If you call, you will first speak to an office secretary. You can either ask to be transferred to the appropriate aide in the office, such as the arms control or criminal justice aide, or you can register your call with the secretary. BRIEFLY state your position, making reference to a specific bill, and give your name and address when they are requested. This is used to officially count your call. Write out a sample statement for your callers to read because many people freeze up and cannot think straight on the phone. Ask for a statement of the congressperson's position on the issue. If it's a nationally recognized issue or a lot of people have been calling, the secretary may know. Often he or she will not, but you will receive a letter later.

Finally, don't forget to thank a congressperson who votes your way. This can be almost as valuable to your cause as your initial letters. Even big, bad legislators like to hear a "well done" every now and then, and they usually only hear from their constituency when someone's pissed. They might remember you if you are nice to them.