Getting Your Point Across to Congress

A Presentation for the Dirksen Center’s “Congress in the Classroom”Presenter: Stephanie Vance

Topics

Is Government Broken? Tips and Techniques for Breaking Through the Chaos A New Online and FREE Resource for Teaching

About Advocacy – www.advocacyclassroom.com That’s Great, but What Have We Done for You

Lately? The Top Ten List of Things Elected Officials and Staff

Hate to Hear

Is Government Broken?

Number of bills introduced in a Congressional session

Percentage of bills that pass Percentage of those that pass related to the

renaming of post offices and federal buildings Average time for a meeting with an elected official What is the most common question you hear in an

elected official’s office?

Breaking Through the Chaos

What do you want? Who should you ask? How should you ask? How should you

follow-up?

What Do You Want?

You must “Make the Ask”

Relationship Building “Asks”

Help with Regulatory Agencies

Congressional Record statement

One minute or five minute speech on the floor

Site visit / Meeting with employees

Website statement

Who Should You Ask?

Key Questions

Who do they care about? Why are you relevant?

What does the elected official care about?

How Should You Ask? Developing your Message

Know Your FactsMake it Your Own MessageBe PositiveBe SpecificThe Five Minute Rule

Teaching About Advocacy: A New Online Resource

Accessing the Advocacy Classroom

Go to www.advocacyclassroom.com

Click “Enroll for Classes” (Right side of screen)

Enter information and submit

Choose “Purchase Additional Classes”

Select “Communications 101” and Add to Cart

Use coupon code “advocate” and hit apply (You will not be charged.)

Click secure checkout Enter required information

What You’ll Find… (Content)

What You’ll Find… (Quizzes)

The Top Ten List: What Staff & Elected Officials Hate to Hear

10. But I thought my appointment was with the Senator!

9. Here’s some reading material for you – our 300 page annual report

8. How much of a campaign contribution did your boss get to vote against (or for) this bill?

7. I assume you know all about bill number 1234

The Top Ten List, Continued

6. No, I don’t have an appointment but I promise I’ll only take ½ hour of your time.

5. No, I don’t really need anything specific. 4. We have ten (or more) people in our group. 3. What you’re telling me can’t be right. I heard

Jon Stewart from the Daily Show say otherwise. 2. What do you mean we have to stand in the hall?

… And the number one item?

No, I don’t represent anyone from your district. I just thought you’d be interested in what I have to say.

Go Forth and Advocate!

Take the Effective Advocacy Pledge…