Regardless of your politics, it is difficult to deny that
one of the themes of the year has been the power of people’s voices. Whether in
protests on the streets, in town hall meetings, or in calls to Members of
Congress, people have been making news while making their voices heard. The
volume of calls coming into Capitol Hill has increased to an extraordinary
level.
Contrary to what some may assume, Members of Congress often
do love to hear from constituents and are interested in learning about what
they can do to help people. When visiting the Capitol, advocates will find that
certain strategies can ensure that Members of Congress and staffers are more
likely to remember you and your message.
If you have been doing this for a while, you know the
importance of having a continual relationship with someone on congressional
staff. It goes without saying that your
personal stories, when coupled with an engaged and knowledgeable message go a
long way. Bring facts, figures, and
information, but do not let that distract from the heart of your message. All of this will reflect positively on your
reputation as a source of knowledge, as well as that of your organization, and
your public policy issue. If you are the most engaged and thoughtful meeting
that someone has on their schedule that day, it will be appreciated and
remembered by your congressman or senator.
With a new administration and a new congress, it has been a
jam-packed spring, and making scheduled meetings has become even more crucial
for everyone. If you are going to be a few minutes late to a meeting, reach
out, let an office know. In the last couple of months, congressional office schedules
have been more in flux than we have seen in the last few years, with occasional
last-minute committee meetings or conference meetings. Be prepared for a number
of possibilities. Some meetings may be moved to the hallway, or shortened by a
few minutes, or others may need to be switched from a meeting with the Member
of Congress to a meeting with staff. The congressional offices will do everything they can to
ensure there is a meeting, but it’s always good to be prepared to walk and talk
if needed.
By keeping those tips in mind your voice will stand out
above the crowd, even in a time when so many other advocates and citizens are
at their most engaged.
-- By Jared Payne, Advocacy Associates
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