How to Get Involved!

Download the NADP Activist Toolkit!

Start by contacting your State Senator. Let your state senator know you support an end the death penalty in Nebraska. Write a brief, polite, thoughtful, heartfelt letter stating your support for repeal of the death penalty. Hand written letters are particularly effective. Make sure your point is clear. In a few lines, thank your senator for taking the death penalty seriously, and express your support for ending the death penalty in Nebraska. Senators are particularly influenced by their own constituents, people they personally know, other community leaders, and those they have something in common with (membership in the same church, civic club, occupation, etc.). Mention your connection if you have one.

How to contact your Senator:

Mailing Addresses For Senators:

                        Senator (fill in name, and District #)
                        State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604
                        Lincoln, NE 68509-4604

By Phone: Call the Capitol Operator, 402.471.2311, and ask for your senator's office.

Not sure who your senator is... there is a great new function on the Nebraska Unicameral website that will tell you what district you are in!! Visit http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php where you will find a map of the state. In the lower right corner of the map you will find a "search the map" box where you can enter your street address and city. Hit the search button and then click on the arrow that appears on the map and your Senator and District number will pop up on the map.

Now that you’ve written, the next step is to convince others to write as well!

Write a letter to the editor or opinion page column for your local paper. You’re most likely to influence if you keep it short and positive. Typically this means 150-250 words. (Be sure to include your address and phone number. This personal information won’t be published in the newspaper. It’s just so the newspaper can verify the letter’s authenticity.) If you have more to say, contact the opinion page editor to see if they’ll run a guest column from you. These should usually be no longer than 650-700 words. The following website has links to on-line editions of many Nebraska newspapers http://www.usnpl.com/nenews.php.

Organize “Community Conversations on the Death Penalty.” Local organizing committees have sprouted up throughout the state to organize respectful community conversations on the death penalty. They also have taken on themselves to reach out to new people to encourage a steady, thoughtful flow of letters and calls to senators. You don’t have to do it alone! Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty can connect you with other concerned people in your area. One-on-one contact with people you know is very effective. Talk to your family members and canvas your workplace, neighborhood or dorm. Everywhere you go, ask people to write their state senator. (Hint: It helps to provide stationary, addresses and stamps right on the spot!) NADP would like to help. Contact Richard Hargesheimer (402.477.7596,
rshargy@neb.rr.com) or Jill L Francke (402.477.7787, jill.francke@gmail.com).

Become a Point Person. A Point Person is a volunteer organizer for Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty. These Point People allow us to coordinate activities and events throughout the state of Nebraska. Some activities you may be involved in include, but are not limited to: (1) Identify and organize NADP supporters in your area and encourage them to contact their State Senator and local media outlets. (2) Set up forums, house parties, and town-hall meetings that will facilitate a healthy conversations and discussions. (3) Become a liaison between NADP and your own State Senator. (4) Mobilize, recruit, and educate across Nebraska! To become involved as a Point Person, please contact Jill Francke, Statewide Coordinator at 402.477.7787 or jill.francke@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest!

Serve on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is comprised of professionals, attorneys, professors, students, and many other activists from across Nebraska. We generally meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:30 at the First United Methodist Church in Waverly. Carpools are provided from Lincoln and Omaha. The Board determines the direction of the organization and conducts organizational business. We invite you to become a member and join us! If you are interested in becoming a member or would like additional information, please contact Jill Francke, Statewide Coordinator at 402.477.7787 or via e-mail at jill.francke@gmail.com.