Report - Face-to-Face with Congress: Before, During, and After Meetings with Legislators

This report provides guidance to citizens for setting up, conducting, and following up after meetings with Members of Congress and their staff.

cover-of-cmf-face-to-face-with-congress-reportThe findings are based on CMF's vast knowledge and experience working with House and Senate staffers during its long history, and on four online surveys of congressional staff taken between 2010 and 2013.

Staff were invited to participate in the surveys via email, and almost 450 responses were received from Chiefs of Staff, Legislative Directors, Communications Directors, District Directors, Schedulers, Correspondence Directors and other mail/legislative staff.

"Face-to-Face with Congress" was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Professional Women in Advocacy Conference, and RAP Index. We thank them for their support of CMF's Partnership for a More Perfect Union.

Key Findings

  • 93% of House Schedulers surveyed indicated requests for meetings with lawmakers should be made 2-4 weeks in advance;
  • 71% of participating House Chiefs of Staff expressed "no preference" for meeting location (Washington, D.C., versus the district);
  • 94% of the House Chiefs of Staff felt a "1-2 page issue summary" left behind after a meeting is somewhat or very helpful, while only 18% said the same of a "5 page or greater length" document.

More Information

For more information on the resources and services we provide to citizens, visit our Citizen Engagement page. For more information on the resources and services we provide to congressional offices, visit our Constituent Communications page.