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Effective Advocacy: Tips for Engaging with Congress

Unlock the secrets of impactful advocacy with tips on engaging Congress effectively. Learn about building relationships, making requests, and delivering messages with clarity. Explore an online advocacy resource at advocacyclassroom.com. Take the pledge for effective advocacy!

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Effective Advocacy: Tips for Engaging with Congress

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Presentation Transcript

  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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