The success of the YCTC depends entirely upon the active and continued involvement of interested taxpayers who foot the bill for government programs and services. Getting involved is easy, but staying involved is the challenge. Here are some of the most effective steps you can take to maximize the impact of your efforts:

Get the Facts
Facts are the foundation upon which all good arguments are based. Do your research and double check it before you contact a public official or write a letter to the editor. Your credibility is on the line, so make sure to take the time to verify your information.

Attend Meetings
There are literally dozens of public meetings in York County each week. Start by attending those meetings of immediate and personal concern. Then, keep going. It takes persistence and respectful interaction with public officials to make a difference. Eventually, you will be recognized, so be patient. Many of the officials who attend these meetings are volunteers who don't have the time to research all of the issues beforehand. If you provide solid evidence for your position at one meeting, don't expect immediate action. However, you should receive feedback and acknowledgement in the minutes. Be persistent, firm, and respectful.

Communicate With Elected Officials
Most elected officials sincerely want to communicate with their constituents. Unfortunately, each of us has to compete with hundreds or even thousands of others who have something to say. Try to keep your communications brief and focused. When you have a substantial amount of information to present, start with a summary that clearly states what you want. Then support it with well-organized supplementary materials. Phone calls, letters, and email are all effective ways to communicate. As a general rule, if you use email, do not send copies to others on your list of contacts unless it is absolutely necessary. When you "copy the world," it can give the impression that your real intent is to embarrass the official to whom the email is addressed.

Become an Advocate
Each of us comes in contact with dozens of people each week. Become an advocate whenever the opportunity arises. Talk about the issues with your friends, test your ideas, and learn from their feedback.

Join YCTC
It's easy to join - just click the Submit Comments button at the top of the screen, fill in the form, and let us know if you want to be added to the YCTC mailing list. That's all there is to it. You'll receive information and announcements as they arise in your email.