Printable Version Email to a Friend The Article Brought to you by: Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, Washington Office for Advocacy View Tips on Personal Visits With Your Legislator from the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest

Face-to-face visits with your elected officials, or their staff, is the most influential form of advocacy. This direct lobbying can be time-consuming, but it can also be fun, interesting, and highly effective.

Elected officials, particularly on the federal level, have very demanding schedules. Don't be disappointed if you have to meet with a staff person. Chances are good that they know more about the issue than the member anyway, so your visit could be just as influential. If you're determined to meet with your Member, consider arranging a group visit.

Getting an Appointment

Most Congressional Offices in Washington require a written appointment request. Consider the template below as a guide. For visits with Washington Office, requests should be faxed (mail is still delayed weeks for anthrax screening). For local office visits, mailing might work but faxing is preferable. For more information on your Members of Congress, including office locations and contact information (and a zip code lookup if you're not sure who they are), see C-Span's Congressional Information Center.

Appointment Request Template

[Your Address]
[Date]

The Honorable [full name]
U.S. Senate (or U.S. House of Representatives)
Washington, DC 20510 (20515 for House)

Dear Senator (Representative) [last name]:

I am writing to request an appointment with you on [date]. I am a member of the [UU Congregation] in [your city], and I'm concerned about [issue].

I realize that your schedule is difficult to project at this point, but it would be ideal if we could meet between [time] and [time].

I believe [issue] is important because [etc, 1-2 sentences].

My home address is _________. I can also be reached by phone at ______ or email at _______. I will contact your office during the week of [1-2 weeks before the visit] to confirm the details of the appointment.

Thank you for considering my request to meet with you.

Sincerely,

[name]


Preparing for the Visit: Do your Homework!

• You should plan to discuss only one or two issues. Assume that you will have about 15 minutes.


• Gather facts about the issue(s) you're talking about. There are probably several organizations with websites working on your issue. Try the Washington Office's links page for starters.


• Consider making, or taking another organization's handout along to leave with whomever you see.


• Find out how your legislator has voted on this issues in the past. C-Span's Congressional Information Center. has a Votes Library that lists Member's votes on recent major issues.

• Dress neatly and conservatively. Arrive on time. Be polite. Relax.


• Expect some introductions and pleasantries: who you are, where you're from, etc. Try to compliment something the legislator has done recently. After a minute or two, make your statement about the issue that concerns you. Be cautious that you don't small talk through your whole appointment.


• Be prepared for the questions and give-and-take of the visit.


• If the Member or staffer asks you for information that you do not have, say that you do not have it but will get it in a few days. Then follow through. Never lie or make things up.


• A legislator may disagree strongly with your assumptions and with the goals you advocate. That's OK. Don't be over-argumentative. Keep the conversation positive.

Contacting your elected officials -- either in person or by letter -- is part of building relationships with them. Members of Congress and their staffers are real human beings with normal needs and faults. You will be more effective in the future if you see your appointment as the first in a series of contacts.