TIPS FOR CONGRESSIONAL VISIT:

Here are the guiding principles to make your Hill visit a productive experience. Please plan to be dressed in a formal attire. Please make sure that you bring your contact information / business cards with you.

1. Be prompt. Always be on time even though you should plan on waiting for members on return from committee meetings, the house or senate floor, etc.

2. Identify your spokesperson. Select a person who is known to the member, most knowledgeable on the issues or otherwise able to state your case, if each of the group members is going to speak, decide in advance who is going to say what.

3. Be prepared. It cannot be overemphasized that proper preparation for the meeting is the name of the game, not the issues, the personalities, the process and the members voting record, no what point you want to get across and anticipate likely questions or reactions, recognize differences between majority and minority members and that each can or cannot do.

4. Be brief. Do not try to cover too many issues, decide in advance what are the most important to cover for this member. We will work with you on the morning of the day on the hill. Make you appointment and move on. Do not overstay your welcome.

5. Stress the positive. Thank the member for past help, look for common ground, do not retreat from position, but respect the member’s point of view even if it is contrary to yours. Most importantly, show the member how the legislation will effect his or her state or district. Be specific, make it easy for the member to work your way.

6. Do not ignore staff. Many staff members are very influential with their bosses and can be of great help in relaying inside information, influencing the number, etc. Find out which staff person handles your issues.

7. Leave something in writing. We will be providing you with one page or more information setting forth our position and the reason for the position so that the member or staff can refer to it after you have gone. Make sure that you write your name, address and telephone number on the congressional handout or leave your business card securely attached.

8. Be specific. Tell the member exactly what you want them to do. Example, be specific after explaining the issue, how it impacts you, what you would like the member of the congress to do. Examples
A) A letter to the President regarding your issue
B) A letter to a certain committee of the congress
C) Seek sponsorship of a legislation, etc.

9. Write a thank you letter. Write a letter expressing appreciation of the visit and very briefly with viewing your position, you might briefly summarize any understanding that you might have been reached, suggested letter on our web site.

10. Do follow up. Please do send a follow-up Thank you letter to your Member of Congress and his staff. Please briefly mention about the issues that you talked about. Complete the lobby day meeting form, return it to our staff, and send copies of your letters to us so that we can follow up as well on your affectivity.