What's New
Congress’s Tragedy of the Commons
Ira Chaleff, former Chairman of the Board for CMF, penned an op-ed published today in the Washington Post: "As I step down from the chairmanship of the nonpartisan Congressional Management Foundation, I’d like to make a plea to the members of Congress whom the foundation exists to serve: that they recapture the trust of the American people."
To read the full op-ed at the Washington Post's website, click here.
112th Congress Gold Mouse Evaluations Begin on June 15!
Through CMF's Partnership for a More Perfect Union, we are gearing up for the Gold Mouse website evaluations for the 112th Congress. To get the latest on the project, visit the Gold Mouse Project page at the Partnership.
CMF Elects New Chair & Vice Chair
The Congressional Management Foundation Board of Directors has unanimously elected former Congressman Dan Mica and former Secretary of the Senate Kelly Johnston as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board. Congressman Mica, a Democrat, served in the House of Representatives from 1979-1989; Kelly Johnston, a Republican, served as Secretary of the Senate from 1995-1996.
“The Congressional Management Foundation has served as an invaluable resource to Congress for more than three decades and I’m honored to support the institution,” Mica said. “CMF has maintained a strict adherence and tradition of nonpartisanship, only focused on the efficient and effective operations of the Congress. Having bipartisan leadership at CMF continues that model,” he said.
Read the full press release here.
Featured Resources
Resources for Managing Personal Safety Concerns
The tragic events in Arizona have put a new strain on those working in congressional offices. CMF has reviewed available research, consulted with experts, talked with district and state directors, and offers the following guidance for managers. This is not security guidance. This is human resources advice – how to be proactive with personal safety, how to manage through a safety emergency, and how to address the concerns that now exist in congressional offices.
- Webinar for managers in congressional offices: Strengthening Emotional Well-Being and Personal Safety
- Managing Personal Safety Concerns: 4 Things Managers Can Do
- Communicating with Distressed Constituents
Congressional Staff Believe Constituents Are More Influential Than Lobbyists
Through CMF's Partnership for a More Perfect Union, we surveyed congressional staff on their opinions and practices related to constituent communications, including social media. To learn more about the chart below and to download the full report, visit Communicating with Congress: Perceptions of Citizen Advocacy on Capitol Hill on the Partnership for a More Perfect Union website.
