your capitol hill visit - constant...

Your Capitol Hill Visit

AMCA Washington Conference 2018

Why is it important to have meetings

with your representatives?

• It’s all about building relationships and

understanding your position on the issues

• They need to hear a local

“voice”


Because you are the most knowledgeable

person in mosquito control

from their district/state that

will visit their office

Why would members of Congress want

to hear from me?


And, if you didn’t make this trip?

Then there’s a chance that the

person who visits their office

might represent, “Citizens

Against Poisoning the Earth”


Why are there so many people visiting

Senate and House offices?

• It’s like this most days when Congress is in

session

• Don’t be surprised to see other

organizations in the waiting area


How do I get my message points across?

• Simple. Learn from an expert this

afternoon

• And then after dinner tonight, get with a

colleague and practice

• And then practice some more


What’s the best way to get to Capitol

Hill?

• Take a cab

• Use the Washington

Metro Area Transit

Authority system (Metro)


Depends on where you are going…

Union Station

Capitol South

The WMATA (the Metro)

Yellow line to Gallery Pl/Chinatown station and transfer

to Red line exiting Union Station


Senate Side

The WMATA (the Metro)

Yellow line to L’Enfant Plaza station and transfer to Blue line

exiting Capitol South


House Side

(Or, just stay on the blue line and

add 17 minutes)


And, while we are on the subject of

getting around the Hill…

What will I need to take with me

tomorrow?

• Patience. Comfortable shoes. Business

cards. Position papers.

• Contact information and

the day’s schedule

• And not much else



If you have time for lunch…

House Side Cannon Carry-Out

Rayburn Cafeteria

Basement of the Rayburn Building

Rayburn Pizza Plus

Longworth Food Court

Basement of the Longworth Building

Library of Congress

Madison Building Cafeteria, 6th floor

South of Independence Ave SE, between Second

Street SE, First Street SE, and C Street SE.



Senate Side Dirksen North Servery

NW corner of the basement of the Dirksen Building

Dirksen South Buffet

South side of the basement of the Dirksen Building

Dirksen South Convenience

South side of the basement of the Dirksen Building

Hart Senate Chef

In the Dirksen/Hart Ground Floor Connecting

Corridor

Russell Carry-Out

NW corner of the basement of Russell Building

Supreme Court Cafeteria

1st St SE between East Capitol and Maryland Ave

NE



Pennsylvania Avenue Restaurants

Burrito Brothers

Sonoma

Capitol Lounge

Sweetgreens

Hawk ‘n Dove

Union Station Restaurants

Bojangles‘

Roti

Shake Shack

Chop't

Johnny Rockets

Bold Bites

Potbelly Sandwich Works

Roti Mediterranean Grill

Taco Bell

Thunder Grill

What happens in the meeting?

Anything goes.



• Select a spokesperson for the discussion

• Confirm the meeting length

• Explain who you are

• Explain who you represent

• Explain why you’re there

• Be brief, but be persuasive



• Stay on message, stay focused

• Explain what you do

• Tell why it’s important

• Provide examples of how you protect the

community

• Give hometown (local) examples – baseball,

parades, outdoors



• Be brief and factual, walk them through

the issue quickly – don’t just jump into

what you want

• Provide examples to support your issues

• Explain why this issue is important to the

member and his/her constituents



• Tell the whole story – acknowledge when

something is difficult and has potential

opposition

• Understand both sides of the issue –

prepare to respond to your opponent’s

position

• Prove your position with info and stats

relevant to your state and district



• YOU ARE THE EXPERT

• You are the authority on mosquito control

• Make yourself a credible source for future

questions



• You won’t have all the answers and that’s

OK

• Tell the congressman/aide that you will

follow up


What happens at the end of the meeting?

• You Ask!

• Ask for the support of AMCA issues; and

be prepared if they “ask’ you.

• If meeting with staff, ask about their

member’s position, and request that they

or their boss get back to you with an

answer


And when I get back to my home office?

• Send thank-you letter immediately

• Outline the issues discussed in meeting

• Include requested information

• Thank them for support

• Offer your expertise or assistance in future


Anything else?

• Keep in contact throughout the year.

• Share new events and developments

• Invite them to visit

• Send thank-you note for future activities

that impact your business


I have questions?

Ask away!


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your capitol hill visit - constant...

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