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Getting Your Point Across to Congress

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

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Getting Your Point Across to Congress

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  1. Getting Your Point Across to Congress A Presentation for the Dirksen Center’s “Congress in the Classroom” Presenter: Stephanie Vance

  2. 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

  3. 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?

  4. Breaking Through the Chaos • What do you want? • Who should you ask? • How should you ask? • How should you follow-up?

  5. What Do You Want? • You must “Make the Ask”

  6. 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

  7. Who Should You Ask? Key Questions • Who do they care about? Why are you relevant? • What does the elected official care about?

  8. How Should You Ask? Developing your Message • Know Your Facts • Make it Your Own Message • Be Positive • Be Specific • The Five Minute Rule

  9. Teaching About Advocacy: A New Online Resource

  10. 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

  11. What You’ll Find… (Content)

  12. What You’ll Find… (Quizzes)

  13. 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

  14. 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?

  15. … 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.

  16. Go Forth and Advocate! Take the Effective Advocacy Pledge…

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