Postcard outreach (we supply, you send)
You can do this
- You can do this at a kitchen table in short shifts—you do not need a call center voice or a perfect pen.
- If handwriting is hard for you, say so: we can pair you with a buddy or a different lane.
- Stamps and envelopes (if your packet uses them) are on you, which keeps the model honest and local.
Guide: Postcard outreach (we supply, you send)
How the lane works (plain terms)
You sign up, a coordinator places you in a batch, and you receive postcard stock from the campaign plus instructions for the message window (what to stress, what to avoid, and how to keep it truthful).
We also provide the addresses for that batch—the list is not for copying into your own tool or reusing outside the program. It exists so neighbors get one thoughtful note, not three duplicates from the same name.
- We supply the postcards (design and print through the campaign).
- You write in ink, sign as yourself unless a script says otherwise, and you pay to mail them.
- You send only to the list we provide for your packet—no additions from private spreadsheets or purchased lists.
If you run out of time or cannot finish a batch, tell the coordinator so we reassign the addresses—no shame, no guilt.
Voice and respect (the trust part)
Handwriting signals that a real person cared enough to sit down and write. Keep facts inside what the program gives you; if you are unsure about a date or a rule, leave it for the next training link rather than guessing.
- Be warm and neighborly, not pushy. No threats, no shame, no impersonation of a government office.
- If someone returns mail or asks to be left alone, that request is final for this program and we note it in coordination.
Postage, timing, and proof
Buy stamps at the rate your packet specifies; oversized cards may need extra ounce postage. If you are mailing close to a deadline, ask for a clear “mail-by” date when you pick up the packet.
- Track how many you sent when we ask for closeout numbers—it helps the field team learn without becoming a vanity scoreboard.
Ready to help with this work?
When you volunteer through the form, we tag your signup with this guide so a coordinator can match you with the right next step—nothing fancy, just so we do not treat a host the same as a data volunteer. Use the same volunteer form everyone else does—we will tag it from this page.
Go deeper
Primary sources and next steps
Use these when you are teaching, tabling, or writing a local letter to the editor.