Making a Difference: What You Can Do!

E-mail

• Identify yourself as a constituent
• Have a concrete request up front
• Be polite and say thank you for consideration of your request
• FOLLOW UP!

Calls

• Prepare talking points/notes in advance
• Identify yourself as a constituent and explain briefly why you are calling
• Have a concrete “ask”
• Be polite and brief
• FOLLOW UP!

Request a Meeting

• Meetings can be requested by emailing or calling a representatives local or district office.

When meeting with a Member or staff

• Identify yourself as a constituent
• Express thanks and appreciation
• Share a brief personal story
• Have a concrete “ask”
• Be polite and respectful
• Be a good listener
• Exchange contact info
• Try to get a commitment
• Bring informative materials to leave behind
• FOLLOW UP!

Attend a town hall meeting

• Town Hall Meetings are held in a variety of locations (check your member’s website), and they often lead to good connections, including with local media.
• Invite someone to go with you
• Ask a question!
• Thank the representative  if he/she has taken the action(s) you recently requested

or

• Reiterate your requests and express concern if he/she has not yet been responsive
• FOLLOW UP!

Following Up

• After a phone conversation, email response, in person meeting, or town hall it is always appropriate to send a follow up communication (email preferred) thanking the congressperson or staff member for taking time to consider your concerns and requests.
• Reiterate your request and provide brief information about your organization.
• Identify and express thanks to any staff person who met with you.
• Be polite and respectful even if member or staff person could not commit to any of your requests.

Recipe for a successful relationship

• Remember: staff are the gatekeepers and decision-makers, spend time getting to know them
• Invest time into developing and sustaining it
•  Keep communication lines open
• Be a good listener and be helpful (send articles of interest, but not too frequently)
• Be polite, persistent, but not a pest
• Say thank you and appreciate their time and attention
• Offer yourself as a resource (e.g., occasionally send an article or item of interest)
• Always ask how you can be of assistance and follow-through (be reliable!)