Backbone offer this combination of Thank-n-Spank citizen lobbying tools encourage accountability between representatives and constituents. Encouraging bold, principled action and expressing disappointment when such action is not taken can be done in a way that creates a respectful, but accountable relationship.
Download these FREE tools to add creativity to your citizen lobbying efforts.
Submit an Action Report to share your Thank-N-Spank story and photos with Team Backbone and be featured on our website.
SPINE THANK YOU CARD
Download Options:
One page form
Spine Postcards (2-per page) mail or hand deliver.
Large Format Spine Cards for office visits and special occasions
Use Spine Cards to encourage and thank your representatives. It is often most effective to thank them for one action/vote, and follow that with a request. Print Spine Cards on cardstock or normal paper then mail, email or hand deliver them to your elected representatives. Urge them to demonstrate the strength of their backbone and their commitment to progressive values. Remember these are the "Carrot," and the Spineless Citations the "Stick," so please keep these positive.
For snail mail to Congressmembers, we recommend sending to their LOCAL OFFICES, the address for which you can find on their web page.
This Backbone Campaign "Spine" card is a reproduction of a linoleum print by Vashon Island, WA artist Kim Newall. Thank you, Kim!
SPINELESS CITATION
Download Options:
One page form
Emailable Word.doc form
2-per page postcard for reprinting on cardstock: front and back
These citations are fun, attention-getting, and demonstrate the creative expansion of citizenship. Candidates often run for office as progressives to get grassroots support, but once in power, they their backbone becomes weak, and they forget their promises. The Spineless Citation is a tool to help citizens hold elected officials accountable to their platforms and promises. It is most effective to deliver the Citation during an in-person office visit (either at a local office or in DC), but sending via email or snail mail also works. (Filling out the Citation and posting on social media, while tagging the elected official can also get their attention!)
REMINDER - PLEASE submit an Action Report to share your Thank-N-Spank story and photos with Team Backbone and be featured on our website.
For EXTRA fun and effect, consider staging a "Backbone Patrol" visit to the office or event of your elected official. We've use "bobby hats." Many years ago, when we first developed this set of tools, our Backbone Patrol was featured on an episode of LibertyNewsTV (minute 9:28). Don't miss the especially entertaining song and dance routine dedicated to Senator Joseph Lieberman found below.
Full Episode:
Special note to honor those appearing in this video are the late Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Rep. Jim McGovern the late Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and the legendary Rep. John Lewis. Also appearing in this video is a dear friend to Backbone Campaign, the late and great Jay Marx. "Presente!"
Thank you to LibertyNewsTV team and all our Backbone Campaign supporters and collaborators with whom we've had the honor to work with over these many years.The video begins with a peek into some US anti-war movement history, and then at 09:00 it transitions into the segment on our Backbone Patrol.
Special note: We honor those appearing in this video are the late Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and the legendary Rep. John Lewis. Also appearing in this video is a dear friend to Backbone Campaign, the late and great Jay Marx. "Presente!"
This archival footage of Backbone Campaign's early "Thank-N-Spank" tactics of delivering Spine thank you cards and Spineless Citations. This video captures an important phase of our early work showing the combination of pathos and humor to hold elected officials accountable to progressive values, policy platforms and campaign promises. The video begins with a peek into some US anti-war movement history, and then at 09:00 it transitions into the segment on our Backbone Patrol.
The Backbone Patrol "Thank-N-Spank" walk through halls of Congress delivered Spine Thank You Cards to reward allies taking actions to end the occupation of Iraq, and Spineless Citations to the Democrats who were dragging their feet, or blatantly supporting the dangerously counter-productive Bush administration policy. A humorous piece of choreography was also captured and provides a bit of comic relief.
Thank you to LibertyNewsTV team and all our Backbone Campaign supporters and collaborators with whom we've had the honor to work with over these many years.
LibertyNewsTV Excerpt: