Congressional Visit (important information)

CONGRESSIONAL APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES

Our communication with you today is to assist you with what you need to know and do in meeting with your Congressional Delegates.

The purpose of your visit to is to inform your Congressional leaders on what you’re doing in your school district as a result of participating in a Technology Innovative Challenge Grant entitled “Lewis Clark Rediscovery” so they can understand the value of their decision for funding allocation of this project.

1. The attached list of who to contact and the Legislative Handbook should assist you with “How to” set up an appointment with your Congressional leaders.

* Tell them you will be available on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 and that you would like to meet with Senators/Representatives and/or staff members. Most likely you will not meet with Congressional delegation personnel, but with their staff members.

2. At that time you need to iterate the purpose of your visit. Be specific. Project management has signed a federal document that assures the Dept. of Education that no one involved with this project will lobby for funds. Please do not ask for money!

3. Once you have confirmed your appointment, follow-up immediately with a letter of intent stating the date and time of your appointment in their office.

4. Prepare your presentation and materials you will share with them. Leave materials with their office. We will provide you with Rediscovery CD’s, TICG CD’s and brochures. You should prepare information pertinent to your school/district:

* Your effectiveness is based on geography. Legislators want to hear your thoughts and opinions because you are the constituent. One of your most useful strategies is to relate the issue and your position in your community. Legislators have many other avenues to get national or state analysis, reports or statistics. Local statistics and stories are important and you can be the only source for such rich information. Don’t be afraid to humanize the issue by relating it to your local community or personal experience.

a. Emphasize what you’ve learned.

b. Emphasize how you are using Technology Integration and teaching students technology.

c. How are you training other teachers in your district to use technology?

d. Explain what your efforts to sustain Technology teaching of your own teachers and other teacher classrooms.

5. Approximately a week before arriving, confirm the date, time and place.

6. On the day of your appointment, please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment and be sure to notify the receptionist. Be prepared to wait past your appointed time.

7. When greeted, introduce yourself and listen carefully as staff members introduce themselves. Be sure to use appropriate titles if meeting with congressional members.

8. Be prepared to visit about how things are back home.

9. Remind them of why you’re there. Indicate you would like to share some thoughts and materials and answer questions they may have.

10. Make your presentation and keep it brief (10-15 minutes maximum).

11. Invite questions and provide honest answers.

12. Ask them if there is other information they would like.

13. Thank them for their time and attention and politely leave.

14. Follow-up immediately (within 24 hours) with a thank you note.

Here is a link to the Legislative Handbook for your convenience: