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By Ray Hodge National Affairs Coordinator

Technology can strengthen grassroots efforts

It seems as if the Internet has invaded every part of our life from shopping to lobbying on-line. Yes, I said lobbying on-line!

The advancement in technologies has provided another tool in the grass roots-lobbying tool box: e-mailing your congressional members on issues.

We at Florida Farm Bureau are keeping pace with this technology by providing our members an easy means to communicate with elected officials via e-mail.

The program that we have established is called Farm Bureau Agricultural Contact Team, or FBACT. Thus far, 250 Florida Farm Bureau members have joined the FBACT Team!

How does the program work?

Once you sign up for FBACT, you will be asked from time to time to contact your elected officials on issues important to Farm Bureau.

We send out “action requests” via e-mail, fax and mail to our members. However, it is e-mail that provides the quickest way to communicate a message to elected officials.

Using e-mail is also the easiest means for you to fulfill your obligations as a FBACT member.

During the past several months, we have sent out action requests on a variety of timely issues including estate taxes, labor reform, ergonomics and the softwood lumber issue.

We recently subscribed to a political service that is connected to our Web site. When we send out an action request via e-mail, there will be a link to the section of the Web page that allows FBACT members to easily send an e-mail message.

Once there, simply enter your zip code, name, postal address and e-mail address. Your representative in Congress will be identified and you will have the opportunity to send him or her an e-mail message that has been prepared on the issue.

You can send the message that we have prepared or adapt it to your own style. In addition, the system automatically e-mails Florida Farm Bureau a copy of your message so you can be recognized in FBACT’s Reward Program. It’s that simple.

FBACT is not just for e-mail savvy people; even though we are placing great emphasis on signing up members who have e-mail and Web capabilities. Action request letters are sent via fax and mail providing FBACT members the means to contact their elected officials via fax, mail and phone.

In the coming months you will be hearing more about this program. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about FBACT or join, please contact me at: rhodge@sfbcic.com or (352) 374-1544.

Someone once said that “politics is local” and that’s how Florida Farm Bureau’s governmental affairs and citizen lobbying has operated. We place great emphasis on involving our county Farm Bureaus in the political process.

The power of Farm Bureau resonates in our strong grass roots organization and our members. FBACT provides us the means to bring together our grass roots tradition with new communications technology. We need more FBACT team members. Please join.