Last week, CMF was pleased to co-host along with the Beekeeper Group the latest session in our Advocacy Leaders Network series, "Inbox or Wastebasket? Legislative Correspondents Tell You The Path Your Advocacy Materials Take And Why." This workshop focused on the behind-the-scenes process of how congressional offices handle communications and information.

The session was kicked off by a presentation from CMF CEO and President Brad Fitch and Vice President Susie Gorden, discussing the future of technology in congressional communications. The main event, however, was a panel discussion by: Bill Sweeney, Chief of Staff to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) (and former Legislative Correspondent); Wilsar Johnson, Staff Assistant to Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12); Brittany Posobiec, Legislative Correspondent to Rep. Ted Yoho (FL-03); and Sean Miller, Staff Assistant to Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA-02).

For those who missed the dynamic panel, the staffers offered some takeaways for advocacy leaders.

• Don't be a stranger. Build a relationship with the office and the staff, and the office will pay special attention to your messages as an engaged citizen.
• Research the boss. Thoughtful correspondence that references action the Member has taken or issues the Member is passionate about will go a lot farther than untargeted messages.
• Personalize your advocacy. A few persuasive, personal letters will go further than large amounts of identical form letters.
• Utilize constituents. Members care the most about communication from their constituents, and will filter out messages that aren't from these individuals.
• Be consistent. If your message is part of a campaign, identify it with a consistent subject line. This helps the office to count how many people share your point-of-view. (NOTE: This doesn't negate the need to personalize the actual content of the letter outlined above!)