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Visiting with Your Legislators

Visiting with Your Legislators. CEC National Legislative Conference June 9, 2014. Tips for the Day. Wear comfortable shoes. You may be doing a lot of walking! Be prepared to go through metal detectors and security lines.

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Visiting with Your Legislators

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  1. Visiting with Your Legislators CEC National Legislative Conference June 9, 2014

  2. Tips for the Day • Wear comfortable shoes. You may be doing a lot of walking! • Be prepared to go through metal detectors and security lines. • The schedule is unpredictable. You may have to wait through no fault of the Member of Congress or their staff. • Keep the contact information for the offices your are visiting with you. Should you be delayed, call the office and let them know. • If in a large group – identify speakers for your group.

  3. Things that May Surprise You • Youthful Staffers • Meeting Location • Meeting space is limited • Nontraditional locations (hallway, cafeteria) • Meeting Length • Approx. 30 minutes • Important to be clear and concise

  4. Meeting Pointers • Introductions • Introduce yourself – your professional role, overview of children you work with, etc. • Key Legislative Issues • Choose 2-3 issues to discuss, you will not be able to cover all eight • Conclusion • Thank them for their time • Ask them what would be the best way to follow up with them

  5. Meeting Pointers • Avoid special/gifted education jargon or acronyms • Congressional staff have multiple responsibilities • Familiarity with our issues may vary • Be an honest broker • Your credibility is EVERYTHING • It’s okay if you don’t know the answer; Tell them you will get back to them; Relay the question to CEC staff and we will be sure to get back to them.

  6. Meeting Pointers • Advocacy Packets • Serve as a framework for your meetings • Hand staff the information from the packets • Discuss 2-3 issues included & reference other issues of concern are included.

  7. Taking your message to Capitol Hill • Make it personal • YOU are special/gifted education’s best advocate • Connect with your legislators • Where are you from? • Where do you teach/work with children/research? • Why did you become a special /gifted educator? • Convey the link between policy and children & youth with exceptionalities and their families • You are their constituents

  8. Meeting Pointers • Be respectful of the staffers time • Offer yourself as a resource • Leave your packet with the staff • Ask when and how to follow up with them • Ask them for business card for follow up • Ask to take a photo with them – then share it with CEC!

  9. What else is going on? • Senate Labor-Health & Human Services-Education Appropriations Mark-Up • June 10 @ 2:30pm – 124 Dirksen Senate Office Building

  10. Do your Homework • Take 15 minutes to learn a little bit about the offices you are visiting. • Use the Legislative Action Center to do some research • Are they already a cosponsor of the legislation? Then thank them! • Visit their website to see if they highlight issues that can be related back to special/gifted education or to establish common ground. • Using a Smartphone? Download the “Congress” app from the Sunlight Foundation or the Captiol Visitor Center app: http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/

  11. Most Importantly… • YOU are the EXPERT • Convey your passion for children with exceptionalities • Express your concerns • Have FUN!

  12. Getting Around • 10-15 Minute walk from Union Station to Senate Office Buildings • 2-5 Minute walk from Capitol South Metro to House Office Buildings • 15 Minute walk from Senate Office Buildings to House Office Buildings

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