Best Advocacy Email Message

The audience for this targeted e-mail message was the constituent base of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service; individuals and advocates who are interested in issues related to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied migrant children and individuals in immigration detention.

This targeted e-mail message was distributed just hours after a devastating earthquake hit Haiti with the goal of creating a resounding outcry for the Obama administration to put a stop to deportations of Haitian immigrants currently in the United States. This message was sent in the early afternoon on Wednesday, January 13 and in the first 48 hours generated more web traffic and advocacy messages sent through our Action Center than all advocacy messages sent in 2009 combined. This message surpassed click-through rates of all previous advocacy messages and even broke fundraising records—bringing in more donations than actual e-mail fundraising appeals.

Our constituents’ voices were heard, advocacy messages from other organizations followed, and our ultimate goal was achieved. On Friday, January 15, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a designation of Temporary Protected Status, allowing Haitian nationals in the United States to continue living and working in our country for the next 18 months.

Contributors:

Vice President for Mission Advancement:	Stacy Martin
Director for Communications:	Cassandra Champion
Assistant Director for Publications:	Valerie Bost
Director for Outreach:	Tara Mulder
Legislative Assistant:	Nora Skelly
Director for Development:	Katrina Klettke-Straker
Assistant Director for Development:	Lauren Rymer
Assistant Director for Advocacy:	Eric Sigmon
Database Administrator:	Katherine Ollenburger

LIRS

Location: USA