phone calls and correspondence on behalf of the project

(this page is under construction)

Basic Principle Number One: We're acting as one team, not a bunch of separate individuals conducting private research projects!!

Basic Principle Number Two: For the work to continue, we must document our communications.

Basic Principle Number Three: Use the active voice!

Imagine how irritated you would be the Texas After Violence Project person asked you to grant an interview, and you said "No," and then a few months or a year later another Texas After Violence Project person came after you again and asked you the same question!

Imagine how embarrassed you would be if you were the second person to ask. . . and how much you would wish that someone had told you that the potential narrator had already declined to grant an interview.

We must record and share information --- not just with the people who we're working with this month or summer or semester -- but with people to come. This is really, really important!

a) Every time you communicate by phone with a potential narrator, or a narrator, or anyone else, make a note (we'll talk more about where).

b) Every time you send or receive any correspondence -- including e-mail --- to anyone, please print out TWO copies. You'll put one copy in the potential narrator/narrator's file, and copy in the Texas After Violence Project "chron" or chronological correspondence file.

c) Never send anyone a DVD or a transcript or anything without writing a "cover letter" -- a dated letter in which you tell them what you're sending them and for what purpose or in response to what request.

d) Every time you write an e-mail on behalf of the project, copy the Texas After Violence Project at info@texasafterviolence.org

e) We do not use form letters. You should think about each person to whom you're writing and what you need to communicate to that person. Look at the sample letters page if you're stuck.