Guide to Scheduling an Event or Visit with your Member
of Congress
MAY 2005
PREPARED BY THE ELCA WASHINGTON OFFICE. BASED ON RESOURCES FROM
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
In this document
Scheduling a visit or event with your member of congress
Meeting with your Member of Congress is one of the best ways
to advocate for the issues you care about. Your Member of
Congress is interested in knowing about the concerns of their
constituents. By inviting them to attend a public event or
meeting you are building a personal relationship while asking
them to take leadership in working for peace in our world.
Asking your Member of Congress to meet with
you or to attend a public event is quite easy. The first key is
to ask
and the second key is to
follow up.
Below are some helpful hints for you to use when requesting time
with your member of Congress.
Prepare for your phone call
It is always helpful to practice what you are going to say
before you get on the phone. As we learn from experience,
practice makes perfect and you want feel and sound ready to make
a confident request.
-
Write down responses to the following
questions:
-
Why do you want to meet with the member
of Congress?
-
(If asking the Congressperson to attend
an event) What would the Congresspersons’s role be while at
the event? (Offer introductory remarks, welcome international
guests, endorse the work of your group, etc)
-
Who is your group? Are you working with
other local groups?
-
WHEN EXCACTLY DO YOU WANT TO MEET WITH
THE MEMBER OF CONGRESS (Here you can have a list of concrete
options to offer the scheduler).
Research
What is your Congressperson’s position on the issue? For
help in researching your member of Congress contact the
Washington Office of the ELCA at 202-. Additional information on
your member of Congress is posted at
Project Vote Smart or
Congress.org, both non-partisan websites.
When will your member of Congress be in the
District? Congressional Recess is posted annually on the House
and Senate websites:
www.house.gov
and
www.senate.gov,
these are the best full weeks to catch your Congressperson at
home. Most members of Congress also come home every weekend –
often times early Friday they are already back in the District.
Federal holidays are other good times to find your member of
Congress at home.
Does anyone in your community have an
established positive relationship with your member of Congress?
Would this person perhaps be the best person to request the
meeting?
Make the
Request
-
Ask and you will receive. A polite, clear
ask is always the best way to get the ball rolling.
-
Call the District office closest to your
home and ask for the scheduler.
-
Tell the scheduler who you are, where you
are from, and make your request.
-
Ask questions! YOU are the top priority
in each Congressperson’s schedule because you represent a
group of active and concerned citizens. The office staff does
not expect you to be familiar with their processes and they
will help you as much as possible to get the appointment you
want.
-
Thank the scheduler for their time.
-
Ask the scheduler when they will have
more information regarding your request. Tell them that you
look forward to talking to them again soon.
Follow Up
Many requests pile up in Congressional offices every day.
You want your request to be noticed so you should make a point
of following up with the scheduler.
Wait a week after your first phone call to follow up. On your
follow up phone call remind the scheduler of your name and
request. Politely ask for any new information that they may have
and any
additional advice they may have for you at this time. Follow up
again as they recommend
and
always offer a sincere thank you to them for their efforts.
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