Raise Your Voice For Puget Sound

Dear «Household_Greeting»,

In January, I was proud to participate in the 20th annual Environmental Lobby Day, representing People For Puget Sound and as a member of the 36th District. Being one of the 301 participants meeting with their legislators to advocate for a cause that is vital to us all was one of the highlights of my year.

As a member of People For Puget Sound, you make organized activism like this a reality. To give you an idea of what you helped accomplish with your gift, I’ve taken a moment to answer some of the most common member questions our members ask about Lobby Day. After reading it, I hope you'll be inspired to become a member of People For Puget Sound with a gift.

Why is it important for me to engage with my state representatives?

The reason that People For Puget Sound organizes Environmental Lobby Day each year is because citizen activism works. When Rep. Dave Upthegrove (33rd Legislative District) addressed our attendees at last year’s Environmental Lobby Day, he shared a powerful sentiment:

"A citizen from our district who communicates an issue to us is more powerful than any lobbyist. At the end of the day we represent you."

How do I benefit from being part of Lobby Day?

Joining forces with hundreds of other citizen advocates gives you a tremendous sense of energy and accomplishment, knowing that your words and actions inspire change in Washington. To prepare them to be effective advocates, Lobby Day participants receive detailed briefings on each of the environmental priorities and training from experienced environmental lobbyists.

Can I really have the same influence as a full-time lobbyist?

Yes! All our major victories require a strong show of widespread community support. For example, in the last two years the Oil Spill Preparedness Bill and the Neah Bay Rescue Tug Legislation were both possible only after citizens voiced their support to legislators. The recent Bellingham and Seattle Bag Bans also wouldn’t have been possible without grassroots advocacy aimed at city officials. Your activism makes a huge difference for Puget Sound.

What behind-the-scenes work does People For Puget Sound do to make Lobby Day successful?

People For Puget Sound organizes a Lobby Day Committee of 14 volunteers, who spend three months planning all the logistics to ensure the event runs smoothly and participants meet their legislators. Most of the environmental organizations in Washington help with volunteers and staff to make the day a success.

Now that Lobby Day is over, what can I do the rest of the year to make a difference for Puget Sound?

While lobby day is an annual event, the need for citizen advocacy continues to the end of the legislative session and throughout the year and keeping up to date on the issues is critical. If you are not already on People For Puget Sound’s list for calls to action on legislative issues, please sign up at pugetsound.org. We generate so much constituent support in this manner that legislators pay attention.

Our members show their support with their time, their action and their words. While all of this is vital for the future health of Puget Sound, the single most effective thing you can do to help save Puget Sound is continue to be member.

Whether we’re working in the State House, in classrooms or on the shorelines of Puget Sound, our work depends on YOU. Please renew your gift to People For Puget Sound today. With your help, we will accomplish our dream of a clean, healthy Puget Sound where people and nature thrive together.

Sincerely,

Tom Bancroft
Executive Director, People For Puget Sond