Wield Your Power: Write a Letter!

As someone entering the world of death care, it feels only natural to reflect on the roles and responsibilities I may have in positively influencing the reality of death and dying in my community. The assignments that Home Hospice Association (HHA) death doula candidates encounter during our training are designed to help us do just that: they are intentional, thought-provoking, and change-making. One assignment in particular stands out for me, and it involves writing a letter to a Canadian politician about the current state of palliative care in Canada. The assignment addresses the need to bridge the gaps between the needs of the dying and the current applicable legislation in Canada.

Photo from Wix.

While I loved the idea of this assignment, the prospect of writing such a letter initially felt daunting and even a bit scary. I questioned whether I was knowledgeable enough about dying and death care to do them justice. I wondered whether I had a clear and strong enough voice to make a meaningful impact.

I took a few weeks to craft my letter and to email it to my local politician of choice, a very active Member of Parliament from my community. I expected an automated and generic acknowledgement of receipt email, which I received within a few minutes. What I did not expect was a second email inviting me to a phone call with the MP to discuss dying and palliative care in Canada. I couldn’t believe that my letter had sparked a conversation with someone who holds real power and influence at one of the highest levels in the country. Yet, the email was staring me in the face. Eureka!

Armed with a great elevator pitch, relevant facts, key points, pointed questions, gratitude, humility, and hope, I eagerly added my voice to the many who have been and are trying to make an enriching change in the reality of Canadian palliative care. The phone call went very well. The MP and I both knew where we stood on the realities at hand. We arrived prepared, and among other things, we committed to the possibility of a future collaboration in the form of a Death Café.

Despite today’s digital age, connecting with politicians can still feel decidedly out of reach. That I was able to connect with an MP in real time because of writing and sending a letter was, and is, significant. This assignment drove home to me the message that, as members of the public served by the work of politicians, it is within our privilege and power to contact politicians with our concerns and hopes for our community, province/territory, and country. It reminded me that my opinions, ideas, and contributions matter – and that politicians who desire to make beneficial changes for their community often welcome hearing from their constituents because they care about their needs, wants, and feedback.

Exercising your right to contact a politician is a profoundly important act in influencing, shaping, and transforming how we live and die for the better. Thank you, HHA, for the reminder.

Below, you will find 10 tips to help you write your own letter to a politician. May they serve you and your community as well as they have served me and mine. May we join forces with politicians to actively contribute to the betterment of palliative care in Canada!

10 Tips for Writing a Letter to a Politician

Tip 1: Research and know your topic.

Discover its history and where things stand today. Find quality resources, read publications and studies, and arm yourself with helpful statistics. Choose one or two areas to focus on and understand them well enough to explain them to someone else.

Tip 2: Determine your 5 Ws.

• Who are you writing to?

• What are you writing about?

• When will you send your letter?

• Where are you sending your letter?

• Why are you writing your letter?

  
  

It is also helpful to know how you intend to send your letter, as well as the result that you want to achieve by sending it. Knowing your 5 Ws will help you shape and craft your letter and will serve as inspiration in times of discouragement. If you do not know the answers to these questions by the time you are ready to send your letter, neither will its recipient. This will decrease both the effectiveness of your letter and the likelihood of receiving a response.

Tip 3: Learn about your recipient.

Try to determine which political party they belong to and their party’s stance and history on the topic. Also, investigate their personal history and stance in the party as it relates to your topic. Discover how actively they participate in their community and which types of community projects they have supported. This knowledge will enable you to understand your recipient better and tailor your letter accordingly. Try to pique their interest and keep them engaged based on what you learn.

Tip 4: Keep it short.

Avoid the risk of losing your audience by keeping your letter to a maximum of 2 pages, or less. Politicians have fast-paced, busy days, and they will no doubt appreciate your brevity. This also helps keep your letter concise and powerful.

Tip 5: Write what you mean and mean what you write.

Be prepared to stand behind what you write and to defend its relevance and importance to your cause respectfully. Have your research and notes available as you write and keep them handy for your own reference in case of a follow-up email, call, or meeting.

Tip 6: Transform heavy emotion.

Though it can be challenging when you are passionate, you can turn heavy emotion into direct facts, experience-based opinions, and strategic questions. This will help you convey your passion and ideas about your topic in a way that garners respect from your reader.

Tip 7: Proofread and edit.

Ensure that your letter contains no spelling or grammatical errors and that it is written confidently and clearly. Have a family member or friend read your letter and provide constructive feedback for your consideration.

Tip 8: Use professional formatting.

Using professional formatting is a great way to show respect to your chosen recipient and their position. This is an important step that is often overlooked. It sets a good tone and increases legibility. Be sure to research the proper way to address your recipient officially. There are many examples and templates available to choose from online, and all include important information such as:

• the recipient’s full contact information;

• the date;

• an opening salutation using the recipient’s correct and proper title and last name;

• paragraphs including introduction, body, and conclusion;

• one or multiple call(s) to action(s);

• one or multiple direct question(s);

• a closing salutation;

• the sender’s signature;

• the sender’s name;

• the sender’s contact information.

Tip 9: Thank your recipient.

This is another critical step that is often overlooked but goes a long way. Sincerely, thank your recipient for their contributions to the community and for their dedication to their constituents. Lastly, thank them for taking the time to read your letter. A little gratitude goes a long way!

Tip 10: Ask your recipient to respond.

Politely let your recipient know that you expect a response to your questions and look forward to hearing from them soon. 

---

Taija Martin is an HHA Death Doula Candidate, AMI Montessori Assistant 0-3 & 3-6, Registered Dental Hygienist, and Certified Level 2 Dental Assistant. Deep appreciation and reverence for life and death drives her. She can be reached at tmar2009@homehospiceassociation.org.