[WCUSP] [Wisewomen] Your experience lobbying

Fri Oct 6 16:50:25 CDT 2006

Much of what will determine your ability to get an appointment at a local
congressional office is based on stands the representative has made on
various issues.  If it is someone who is notoriously bad on Middle East
issues, you may need to hunt for something that he/she has done which
is more to your liking.  You rarely get turned down if you are able to
find something good to say about your Congressperson when you call for
an appointment.

The problem of the staffers who work on international issues being in
Washington and not in the home state is, generally speaking, hogwash!
If you get that line, or if you expect to get it, opt for speaking to
someone who works on more mundane issues, such as budget.  When you call
about an appointment when the representative is at home, always say you
want to get an appointment directly with the Congressperson.  When they
say that's not possible, tell them you want to speak to someone who can
convey your sentiments to the Congresperson.  At that point, they will
want to know who you are, what your interests are, etc.  Your best bet
for getting in is to have a delegation of 3-5 people, preferably a
mixed delegation.  And if you are able to include a church leader in
the group, that usually helps.

If your representative is someone who has taken negative viewpoints
on peace in the Middle East, talk more generally about the ongoing
situation in the region, etc., at least during the conversation
when you make the appointment.  If you can put yourself, or someone
in your group, forward as an expert on the region who has been there
several times or has other credentials in that regard, make that point.
Always say that you represent a larger group of constituents, and that
you are all politically active.  Especially as elections near, that
translates into "We vote, so you ought to listen to us". 

Another thing that helps is to sweet talk the receptionist:  Let them
know they have a very important job and that you appreciate their help.
It sort of obligates them to really help you.  

Finally, when you get the appointment, you should always go in with
a clear idea of who is going to say what.  On such a controversial
issue, they will work hard to get you off topic.  You need to stay
focused and not lose your cool, even if they try to push all your
buttons.  (In June, a young Arab college student and I went in to see
an aide in our Congressman's office.  He was extremely rude to us and
even stated that "all Arabs are terrorists, as far as I'm concerned!"
She was very angry, but I had told her not to lose her cool, so she
restrained herself.  But she took it as a personal insult, and I was
so mad that I wrote a letter calling for his dismissal when I got 
back home.)  As far as what you are going to say, if you can promote
a particular piece of legislation, that is best, but at least
advocating a clear direction to be taken is always good.  And try
to limit discussion to three related issues and no more.

Hope that helps.

Barb Taft

--- Joyce McLean <jmclean at jps.net> wrote:

> just bragging but our nearest Congressman's office calls us for an annual 
> meeting.......he likes WILPF and we write and call as issues come 
> up........don't be loath to leave a phone message......especially if you can 
> get some'big' names to join you....letters to the editor columns by the way 
> are read 'religiously' by the local aides
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Libby or Mort Frank" <lmfrank1 at verizon.net>
> To: "Tura Campanella Cook" <turacc at earthlink.net>; <wisewomen at wilpf.org>; 
> "National Middle East listserv" <wcusp at wilpf.org>
> Cc: "Joan Drake" <joanWDrake at aol.com>
> Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 11:37 AM
> Subject: Re: [WCUSP] [Wisewomen] Your experience lobbying
> 
> 
> >
> >
> > We made the appointment for the group, it took a long time.  We kept 
> > calling, after we sent a letter telling the Congress member what we 
> > wanted.  If you can get a "significant" person to sign on with you, that 
> > will be good.  If you indicate you're from that person's district, that's 
> > very good.  People representing a broad  constituency is good.
> >
> > Given you were at an inter-faith meeting, having a group of you write and 
> > follow up with persistent phone calls is good.
> >
> > Is there anyone in your city council,or a religious leader or somebody 
> > like that who could step in and help?
> >
> > Keep us informed,
> >
> > Libby
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > =====================
> > From: Tura Campanella Cook <turacc at earthlink.net>
> > Date: 2006/10/06 Fri PM 01:10:32 CDT
> > To: wisewomen at wilpf.org, National Middle East listserv <wcusp at wilpf.org>
> > Cc: Joan Drake <joanWDrake at aol.com>
> > Subject: [Wisewomen] Your experience lobbying
> >
> > This is a general question to everyone:
> >
> > Have you ever set up a meeting with your Congress person/staff in the
> > home office?  Did you make the appointment as an individual or as a
> > group?  What did you say about why you wanted to meet?  What was your
> > experience?
> >
> > Today I called Sen. Hutchison's and Rep. Doggett's Austin offices to
> > set up meetings anytime during the current recess (about 4 weeks).  I
> > said I wanted to talk about Middle East policy.  I was told they don't
> > deal with this in the home office, that's handled in Washington.  I was
> > asked if I just wanted to mention my concerns to the person answering
> > the phone.  No, thank you, I said.  I wanted to meet with a staff
> > person.  I was told to leave my name and number and maybe someone would
> > get back to me.  It all felt rather odd.
> >
> > Suggestions welcome.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tura
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Wisewomen mailing list
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> > To unsubscribe or change your options as a user, click here: 
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> >
> >
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> 
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