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Tip of the
Week: |
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Introduction
Getting Back to "We the People": An Overview of Activities for Activists
Is My Congressional Office the Best Place to Start?
What a Congressional Office Can Do for You
What a Congressional Office Cannot or Should Not Do for You
Learning About Your Representatives in the House and Senate
Whose District or State am I In?
What Is the Member’s Legislative Record?
What Committee or Committees Is my Member On?
Where Is He or She on the Seniority Scale?
What Party Does He or She Belong To?
Who’s Who in a Congressional Office
District/State vs. Washington DC Staff
Tips on Working with Congressional Staff
Developing
your Message
Know Your Facts
Make it Your Own Message
Be Positive
General Message Delivery Tips
Method of Communication
Volume Does Not Necessarily Equal Effectiveness
Always Identify Yourself
Be Specific
Prioritize Your Requests
Offer to Be a Resource
Be Polite
Be Patient and Follow-up
Always Tell the Truth
Don’t Vilify Your Opponents
Make Your Opponents Arguments (and Your Counter-Arguments)
Don’t Talk About the Campaign with Staff
Ask Staff Which Method of Communication They Prefer
Spell Things Out, Literally
Effective Meetings
Do you Really Need a Meeting?
Decide Where to Meet -- DC vs. the Home Office
Who Should Attend?
Ask for a Meeting
Attending the Meeting: What to Do and What to Expect
Delivering Your Message
What to Leave Behind
Effective Written Communications
Which Written Form Is Best?
Make Your Correspondence Stand Out
Ask for a Response
Postcard, Petition, E-mail and Blast-Fax Campaigns
Confine Letters to One Subject
Double Check Addresses and Phone Numbers
Effective Phone Calls
Do you Need a Phone Appointment
Have the Basic Facts in Hand
Always Ask for a Response
Following
Up
Give it Some Time
Thank You Notes/Follow-up Correspondence
Don’t Distribute Direct Phone Numbers
Be Diplomatic in Reporting Your Experience
Glossary
Checklist
Internet and Phone Research Resources
