Learning the Importance of 'Thank You'

How many times a day do you prompt your child(ren) to say thank you?  Just to make it less painfully redundant, sometimes I'll throw in an explanation, that goes something like this: When someone does a nice thing for you, it's polite to thank them.  It's good to let them know you appreciate what they did for you, plus, people are more likely to do things for you again if you thank them now.  So I've got this social skill thing down, right?  Thank them and they will continue to serve me.  Perfect.  And so easy!   

Earlier this week I attended a fundraiser to support New Leadership for Oregon (annual week-long political boot camp for Oregon college women  - amazing program out of PSU), and one of the speakers (powerful, inspiring women all) shared a simple but critical lesson she had learned from a seasoned Salem lobbyist: Thank your elected officials for what they do.  Just as I tell my son: people are more likely to do things for you again if you thank them now.  Plus, who keeps on giving to a bunch of ingrates?? 

I'm thinking a thank you note right about now ain't a bad idea. When I was a kid, nothing less than a handwritten note would do, but these days a quick e-mail or a phone message will do the trick.  While some of our legislators are taking lobbyist-paid vacations (as I tell my son: there aren't bad people, just people who make bad decisions), most work plenty hard on our behalves for that $18,400/year (plus the $99/day in session per diem). 

So, here's an easy one, mamas, to get you started: Rep. Diane Rosenbaum pushed hard for the paid leave bill, among other legislation that benefited women, children, same-sex couples, education, and more. Check out her session wrap-up to see an impressively long list of pretty cool accomplishments.  I'm sure you'll find at least one worth thanking her for.  Here are just a few to get you thinkin':

• Making family leave law stronger
• Ensuring fair access to birth control
• Accommodating breastfeeding mothers in the workplace
• Legally recognizing same-sex domestic partnerships & prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

Ready to Start Thanking?  You can e-mail Rep. Rosenbaum or, if you don't live in her House district (42) find your own Salem legislators and thank them!  You could just say: I am your constituent and want to thank you for all of your hard work in the 2007 legislature to pass legislation important to me, such as... Short, sweet & personal is the ticket.  They're busy, too.

So stop reading & start thanking, mamas.  You'll be glad you did next time you're asking for something.  And we will be.

Comments

[Lisa]

The Oregon Food Bank has a great and easy opportuntiy to say thank you to our two Senators for recent work on the farm bill supporting nutrition programs: http://capwiz.com/oregonfoodbank/issues/alert/?alertid=10414976.

[Lisa]

Another chance to say thank you, this time brought to you by US PIRG. This time a thank you for Congress's recent action (9/07) to reduce college costs by increasing grant aid: http://www.uspirg.org/action/higher-education/thanks2. While my 4 and 1/2 year old ain't quite there yet, the day will coem, and in the meantime, how nice for all those students who might graduate with a choice in their work, rather than a debt cloud hanging over their heads!