Rapid Response Team
Rapid Response Team members are like firefighters who move when an alarm goes off, responding at a moment’s notice to help put the fire out. These teams form strong groups of committed individuals who are ready to move quickly to act on a variety of different issues, holding elected officials accountable when and where it will make the biggest difference.
The Rapid Response Team accomplishes this through online actions, group phone banks, and direct calls to key policy makers.
Key Responsibilities
- Help spread the word about hot-button issues (Text, email, social media focused).
- Participate in phone banks or make direct calls to key targets
- Does not require someone to take action every day.
- Actions usually only take a few minutes.
Get Started: Let our team know you're interested!
Fill out our volunteer form to let us know you’re interested and to connect with our team!
Legislator Contact Information
You can use the following PDF to access a full directory of our State Legislators, including their contact information.
Sample Call Script
You can use the linked PDF Document below to access a sample call script.
Fact Sheets on Priority Issues
We expect our work over the next two years to fall broadly into the following four categories: Clean Water, Clean Energy, Land Conservation, and Good Government. Below are fact sheets on key issues that are rising here in Michigan.
Please note that the status of some of these issues may change rapidly, in which case these fact sheets will be updated as soon as possible by our team. Also note that the specific issues we have fact sheets on are not the only ones we are working on at a given time.
If there is an issue that you’d like our help getting the facts on, please reach out to a local Regional Coordinator with your request. They will do their best to help you get the information you need!
CLEAN WATER & HEALTHY GREAT LAKES
CLEAN AIR, CLEAN ENERGY, & CLIMATE CHANGE
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet >>
PUBLIC LANDS & CONSERVATION
Land Conservation Fact Sheet >>
GOOD GOVERNMENT & FAIR ELECTIONS
Fact sheets coming soon!
Outreach & Organizing Team
Members of the Outreach and Organizing team like to work outside in their community, talking to neighbors and friends about important issues and local events. They love bringing people together under one roof to make a difference.
Key Responsibilities
- Circulating petitions
- Tabling events (greeting people, sharing information, helping people get involved)
- Host member events/meetings, etc. This can include:
- Advocacy house parties
- Watch parties
- Postcard/Letter writing parties
Get Started: Let our team know you're interested!
Fill out our volunteer form to let us know you’re interested and to connect with our team!
Connect with a local team near you today!
The following is an example of how you can get started connecting with Michigan LCV members and volunteers in your area. You can use these lists as a reference for organizing meetings and events.
Sample Team Contact List
Logistics:
We will send you a list of Organizing Volunteer Team Members in your neighborhood. Use the list as a reference for organizing meetings and events. Feel free to contact your local Michigan LCV Regional Coordinator to have this list be set-up in a digital call list format with scripts included.
You can also email the entire team by using the listserv email address which we will provide for you. Please contact your Michigan LCV Regional Coordinator for help promoting your team and recruiting more members.
Organizing Team Email Listserv: [email protected]
Team Contacts:
Name: Joe Smith
- Phone Number: (734) ***-****
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1234 Activist Lane, Dearborn, MI 48123
- Issue Interests: Clean Energy, Line 5, Nutrient Pollution
Name: Tonya Jones
- Phone Number: (734) ***-****
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1235 Activist Lane, Dearborn, MI 48123
- Issue Interests: Clean Energy, Drinking Water, Environmental Justice
Name: Elizabeth Nguyen
- Phone Number: (734) ***-****
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1236 Activist Lane, Dearborn, MI 48123
- Issue Interests: Drinking Water, Line 5, Air Pollution, Government Transparency
Sample Letter to Decision Maker
Sharing your own personal story is one of the most effective ways to move your elected official. Feel free to pick an issue and elaborate, explaining to your legislator why this is important to you. Or bring up an issue not on the list that you feel is important. Let your legislator know how you feel!
Download a Sample Letter Here >>
Federal Issues
- Keep the Clean Power Plan that cuts carbon dioxide emissions by more than 30 percent from 2005 levels when fully implemented.
- Do not allow the construction of the Dakota Access or Keystone XL oil pipelines. Our environment has suffered enough from spills and cannot afford the risk.
- The Paris Agreement on Climate Change is an important step towards protecting the future of our planet. Leave this and other international commitments to fighting climate change in place.
- We need to continue to support and promote renewable energy incentives.
- Reinstate the Stream Protection Rule that protects waterways from runoff pollution from coal mining debris.
State Issues
We need to protect our water to preserve the Great Lakes and ensure all of our residents have access to clean water.
- We need to help the people of Flint rebuild for the for their sake and ours.
- Line 5 needs to be shut down before it cause catastrophic damage to our state.
- We need to address the growth of toxic algae blooms that threaten the health of our lakes and the people in surrounding communities.
We need to promote clean energy to stop climate change.
- We need to immediately remove barriers to clean energy development.
- We need strong environmental regulations that protect our communities from the negative impacts of pollution. We also need to ensure companies are following these regulations.
We need to preserve our public lands for generations to come.
- I do not support the sale of public land to private investors.
- Oil, gas, and mineral revenue should continue to fund the protection and preservation of public land.
- I want the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to continue managing public lands in order to conserve and enhance the diversity of Michigan’s natural areas.
Here’s an example of what a letter could look like:
Organize An Event!
Welcome to your Michigan LCV Event-in-a-Box!
This was designed as a tool for MLCV volunteers like you to plan and host events in your community. This box covers the essentials for you to execute a successful grassroots environmental event including materials and an event checklist to make sure you have all the bases covered. If you have any questions or are interested in pulling together an event feel free to reach out to your local Regional Coordinator!
Please contact a Regional Coordinator to get started! They will work with you to plan the event and figure out how we can help make it a success.
Use the Events Planning Guide below to lay out your event details and logistics. Once that is confirmed with your Regional Coordinator, please complete the Events Checklists to confirm you have everything you need to make the event a success.
1. Event Planning Guide >>
2. Event CheckList >>
Priority Issue Fact Sheets
We expect our work over the next two years to fall broadly into the following four categories: Clean Water, Clean Energy, Land Conservation, and Good Government. Below are fact sheets on key issues that are rising here in Michigan.
Please note that the status of some of these issues may change rapidly, in which case these fact sheets will be updated as soon as possible by our team. Also note that the specific issues we have fact sheets on are not the only ones we are working on at a given time.
If there is an issue that you’d like our help getting the facts on, please reach out to a local Regional Coordinator with your request. They will do their best to help you get the information you need!
CLEAN WATER & HEALTHY GREAT LAKES
CLEAN AIR, CLEAN ENERGY, & CLIMATE CHANGE
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet >>
PUBLIC LANDS & CONSERVATION
Land Conservation Fact Sheet >>
GOOD GOVERNMENT & FAIR ELECTIONS
Fact sheets coming soon!
Advocacy & Communication Team
Communications Team members look forward to interacting directly with lawmakers, communicating with them online, in-person, and through local media. These activists rarely join the team as experts, but they are excited to get their feet wet and develop these important skills and lasting relationships. Regional Coordinators will share advice, best practices, and training based on members’ interests and availability.
Key Responsibilities
- Track and attend legislative coffee hours and in-district events
- Take legislative actions
- Lobby lawmakers
- Advocate publicly in support of our priorities
- Share their stories of why these issues matter
- Report back with intel and other information
Get Started: Let our team know you're interested!
Fill out our volunteer form to let us know you’re interested and to connect with our team!
Keep Track of Your Legislators
How to Find Your Lawmaker
One of the best ways to influence your lawmaker is to have a face-to-face conversation. But how can you do that if they are not always in their office?!
Find Legislator Contact Information Here >>
Here is a list of things you can do to find out where your lawmaker will be and when, so that you can make sure they hear directly from you on the issues that you care about!
- Go to their website! Most elected officials have websites that share not only who they are and what their policy stances are, but also when they will be in your community next. While you’re there…
- Sign up for their email list! Many lawmakers have an email list that they utilize to keep their supporters informed about their work. Sign up and keep an eye out for emails listing upcoming public appearances.
- Use Social Media! You can also follow your legislators on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Not everyone will have accounts on all three of these sites, but most will have at least one. This is another great way to stay on top of what your lawmaker is doing and where you can find them.
- Call the Office! The staffers that are on-hand to answer calls from constituents will definitely know your lawmaker’s schedule. Call and ask. They should be happy to share any upcoming events and appearances.
Remember, it is the job of your elected official to represent you. And it is hard for them to do that if they don’t hear from you. By making your voice heard, you make it easier for them to do their job well. So thank you for your service!
Priority Issue Fact Sheets
We expect our work over the next two years to fall broadly into the following four categories: Clean Water, Clean Energy, Land Conservation, and Good Government. Below are fact sheets on key issues that are rising here in Michigan.
Please note that the status of some of these issues may change rapidly, in which case these fact sheets will be updated as soon as possible by our team. Also note that the specific issues we have fact sheets on are not the only ones we are working on at a given time.
If there is an issue that you’d like our help getting the facts on, please reach out to a local Regional Coordinator with your request. They will do their best to help you get the information you need!
Clean Water & Healthy Great Lakes
Clean Air, Clean Energy, & Climate Change
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet >>
Public Lands & Conservation
Land Conservation Fact Sheet >>
Good Government & Fair Elections
Fact sheets coming soon!