Holding Members of Congress accountable
requires an ongoing constituent relationship
beginning with knowing how to reach your MOC.

Find contact information for your representatives. at the House of Representatives Website.

Find contact information for your senators at the Senate website.

Besides contact information your MOC’s website provides he following:

Biography
Committee Assignments
Press releases and Newsletters
Local appearances

Building a relationship with your MOC requires knowing how they are accounting for their work and how others are interpreting their work. Building a relationship of has integrity requires knowing your MOC’s history and work performance.

It is probably a good idea to make periodic donations to their election campaigns. Your representative not only count votes, but contributions. You may have a little more leverage if your MOC has more to loose than your vote!

Your relationship with your MOC will be indirect through their staff in your state and in Washington. You can nurture your relationship in both places.

The state office is the place to address your concerns about how federal programs are impacting your community and pointing to local issues needing solutions. The in state office is the place to ask for help, make an appointment to visit the MOC in state or in Washington D.C..

National staff handles issues related to the MOC’s committee assignments. Knowing which staff to address your communication is important.

There are three or four ways to communicate with your MOC:
Phone Call, Letter, Email, Personal Visit and perhaps though social media.

PHONE CALLS

Preparation for your phone call. Write down exactly who you are what you want to accomplish. Ask to speak to the assistant responsible for the issue. Be courteous as you support argument for legislative action with facts. Thank the responder for listening and make known you will be following up.

Writing Letters and E-mails

Make your letter clear. Identify your subject in the first sentence including the bill number if appropriate. Claim your identity as a constituent. Limit communication to one issue at a time. Stick to the facts. Be Concise, no more than 500 words stating when and why the issue is important. Use “I” statements to tell why the issue is important to you and how it effect’s you. “You” statements may become accusatory. Attacks and threats are not helpful. Follow-up, express gratitude when appropriate – for time, votes that move your issue, and help. Assume that your MOC wants to help. Expect a reply even if it is a form letter. Be constructive and positive, but be clear about how your member can address your concerns. Ask questions about policy or planned votes. if your are an expert share your views.

These ideas are helpful for letters, email, other writing and phone calls.

Preparing for a Visit with a Member of Congress

Prepare for your visit with your MOC. Find out who is in charge of the schedule. Be patient. Keep trying until you get on the calendar. Prepare a One Page outline of your issue that includes contact information (Name, who you are, address, phone number, email, social media, and website) and a clear statement of what you are asking and why it is important. The one pager assures the accuracy of your message.

Know where to go. The halls of congress are complicated. Be Flexible. MOC’s are busy. You may end up meeting in a hallway. Be yourself. If you can, go with a more experienced lobbyist to keep learning and to stay on message. Be respectful and yourself. Don’t argue or make anything up. It is ok to say you would like to follow-up.

Your introduction includes your credentials and your status as a constituent. Tell a story that illustrates why your issue is important. Back this story up with facts including the economic impact on the number of people affected. Prepare and practice a ten minute sound bite that summarizes the issue. You can begin your meeting with this sound bite. If the legislator or another staffer joins the meeting, use the sound bit to catch them up. Prepare an ask, i.e. a clear request to sponsor a bill or vote for or against pending legislation. Thank them for the meeting. Leave your packet, business care. If the MOC has a guest book, sign it. Follow-up after your meeting, asking what has been decided and to offering more information.

No matter good we become at building relationships with MOC’s being vigilant about our communication is important. We do not want to waste their time or ours!