Your Capitol Hill Visit
Why is it important to have meetings with your representatives? It s all about building relationships and understanding your position on the issues They need to hear a local voice
Why would members of Congress want to hear from me? Because you are the most knowledgeable person in mosquito control from their district/state that will visit their office
And, if you didn t make this trip? Then there s a chance that the person who visits their office might represent, Citizens Against Poisoning the Earth
Why are there so many people visiting Senate and House offices? It s like this most days when Congress is in session Don t be surprised to see other organizations in the waiting area
How do I get my message points across? Simple. Learn from an expert this afternoon And then after dinner tonight, get with a colleague and practice And then practice some more
What s the best way to get to Capitol Hill? Take a cab Use the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority system (Metro)
Union Station Depends on where you are going Capitol South
The WMATA (the Metro)
Senate Side Yellow line to Gallery Pl/Chinatown station and transfer to Red line exiting Union Station
The WMATA (the Metro)
House Side Yellow line to L Enfant Plaza station and transfer to Blue line exiting Capitol South (Or, just stay on the blue line and add 17 minutes)
And, while we are on the subject of getting around the Hill
What will I need to take with me tomorrow? Patience. Comfortable shoes. Business cards. Position papers. Contact information and the day s schedule And not much else
If you have time for lunch House Side Cannon Carry-Out Rayburn Cafeteria Basement of the Rayburn Building Rayburn Pizza Plus Longworth Food Court Basement of the Longworth Building Library of Congress Madison Building Cafeteria, 6 th floor South of Independence Ave SE, between Second Street SE, First Street SE, and C Street SE.
If you have time for lunch Senate Side Dirksen North Servery NW corner of the basement of the Dirksen Building Dirksen South Buffet South side of the basement of the Dirksen Building Dirksen South Convenience South side of the basement of the Dirksen Building Hart Senate Chef In the Dirksen/Hart Ground Floor Connecting Corridor Russell Carry-Out NW corner of the basement of Russell Building Supreme Court Cafeteria 1st St SE between East Capitol and Maryland Ave NE
If you have time for lunch Union Station Restaurants Bojangles Roti Shake Shack Chop't Johnny Rockets Bold Bites Potbelly Sandwich Works Roti Mediterranean Grill Taco Bell Thunder Grill Pennsylvania Avenue Restaurants Burrito Brothers Sonoma Capitol Lounge Sweetgreens Hawk n Dove
What happens in the meeting? Anything goes.
What happens in the meeting? Select a spokesperson for the discussion Confirm the meeting length Explain who you are Explain who you represent Explain why you re there Be brief, but be persuasive
What happens in the meeting? Stay on message, stay focused Explain what you do Tell why it s important Provide examples of how you protect the community Give hometown (local) examples baseball, parades, outdoors
What happens in the meeting? Be brief and factual, walk them through the issue quickly don t just jump into what you want Provide examples to support your issues Explain why this issue is important to the member and his/her constituents
What happens in the meeting? Tell the whole story acknowledge when something is difficult and has potential opposition Understand both sides of the issue prepare to respond to your opponent s position Prove your position with info and stats relevant to your state and district
What happens in the meeting? YOU ARE THE EXPERT You are the authority on mosquito control Make yourself a credible source for future questions
What happens in the meeting? You won t have all the answers and that s OK Tell the congressman/aide that you will follow up
What happens at the end of the meeting? You Ask! Ask for the support of AMCA issues; and be prepared if they ask you. If meeting with staff, ask about their member s position, and request that they or their boss get back to you with an answer
And when I get back to my home office? Send thank-you letter immediately Outline the issues discussed in meeting Include requested information Thank them for support Offer your expertise or assistance in future
Anything else? Keep in contact throughout the year. Share new events and developments Invite them to visit Send thank-you note for future activities that impact your business
I have questions? Ask away!