Your Capitol Hill Visit - Constant...
Transcript of Your Capitol Hill Visit - Constant...
Your Capitol Hill Visit
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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”
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
Because you are the most knowledgeable
person in mosquito control
from their district/state that
will visit their office
Why would members of Congress want
to hear from me?
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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”
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
What’s the best way to get to Capitol
Hill?
• Take a cab
• Use the Washington
Metro Area Transit
Authority system (Metro)
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
Depends on where you are going…
Union Station
Capitol South
The WMATA (the Metro)
Yellow line to Gallery Pl/Chinatown station and transfer
to Red line exiting Union Station
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
Senate Side
The WMATA (the Metro)
Yellow line to L’Enfant Plaza station and transfer to Blue line
exiting Capitol South
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
House Side
(Or, just stay on the blue line and
add 17 minutes)
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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, 6th floor
South of Independence Ave SE, between Second
Street SE, First Street SE, and C Street SE.
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
If you have time for lunch…
Pennsylvania Avenue Restaurants
Burrito Brothers
Sonoma
Capitol Lounge
Sweetgreens
Hawk ‘n Dove
Union Station Restaurants
Bojangles‘
Roti
Shake Shack
Chop't
Johnny Rockets
Bold Bites
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Roti Mediterranean Grill
Taco Bell
Thunder Grill
What happens in the meeting?
Anything goes.
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
What happens in the meeting?
• YOU ARE THE EXPERT
• You are the authority on mosquito control
• Make yourself a credible source for future
questions
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
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
AMCA Washington Conference 2018
I have questions?
Ask away!
AMCA Washington Conference 2018