CMF will release a new report on Monday, February 13, which reveals the degree of influence that citizens have on congressional decision making. The report summarizes research with congressional staffers conducted by CMF over more than a decade, and includes new, previously unpublished survey data with congressional staff and citizen advocates.

Contact: Susie Gorden, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202-546-0100

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) will release a new report on Monday, February 13, which reveals the degree of influence that citizens have on congressional decision making. The report is based on nine surveys of congressional staff, comprising 1,200 responses provided to CMF from 2004-2015. The research also includes a new case study with food bank representatives (part of the Feeding America network) and how they utilized advanced citizen-advocacy techniques to build relationships with their legislators.

The report, "Citizen-Centric Advocacy: The Untapped Power of Constituent Engagement," is the most comprehensive research ever published on citizen engagement with Congress. The research will answer critical questions for citizen-advocates and lobbyists:

• How influential are constituent meetings compared to lobbyist meetings?
• What is the most effective way to communicate with a lawmaker (letter, email, phone call)?
• Which methods/strategies are most successful for building long-term relationships with Congress?

The research is part of CMF's Partnership for a More Perfect Union, a program to help citizens have better communications, understanding, and relationships with Members of Congress. The report was sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and Broadnet.

The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to build trust and effectiveness in Congress. Since 1977 CMF has worked internally with Member, committee, leadership, and institutional offices in the House and Senate to identify and disseminate best practices for management, workplace environment, communications, and constituent services. CMF also is the leading researcher and trainer on citizen engagement, educating thousands of individuals and facilitating better relationships with Congress.

REPORT RELEASE DETAILS

WHAT: "Citizen-Centric Advocacy: The Untapped Power of Constituent Engagement"

WHO: Congressional Management Foundation

WHEN: February 13, 2017, 12:01 a.m. (EST)

WHERE: Report will be released online at http://www.congressfoundation.org/projects/communicating-with-congress/citizen-centric-advocacy-2017

# # #