Publications
Keeping It Local: A Guide for Managing Congressional District & State Offices — CMF's results-driven manual that provides guidance specifically designed to help offices create an equal partnership between the district/state and DC offices and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of district/state operations.
Keeping It Local chapter summaries (Dos and Don'ts):- Creating a Coordinated Agenda
- Clarifying Responsibilities and Performance Expectations
- Reaching Goals Through Coordination and Teamwork
- Fostering a Strategic Outreach Culture
- Capitalizing on Scheduling Opportunities
- Planning and Implementing Successful Events
- Maximizing the Casework Operation
- Defining and Identifying Projects Work
Training
District/State Director Training — In collaboration with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), CMF offered a series of webinars for House and Senate District and State Directors in 2011 based on our guidebook, Keeping It Local.
Additional Resources
The materials below are offered to district/state staff for their adaptation to their office's specific needs, systems, and policies.
Sample Constituent Services Manual (1.4 MB) — This guide, developed over several years by former U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger (NC) and his staff, is an excellent reference tool for district and state staff. It covers the major casework categories and provides helpful advice on dealing with constituents and solving their problems. Note: CMF did not create and is not responsible for the content or timeliness of this manual. The manual was updated in January 2005 and is only available in PDF.
Sample Constituent Service Satisfaction Survey (19 KB) — These sample questions can be customized to your needs and used to solicit feedback from your constituents about the services your office provides. For more on the value of conducting an impartial survey, please read How to Conduct a Congressional Customer Service Survey.
Sample Casework Satisfaction Survey (15 KB) — For many reasons, you may wish to conduct a separate satisfaction survey on casework, rather than include it in your constituent service survey. These sample questions can be customized to your needs and used to solicit feedback on your casework services.
Sample Casework Manual (744 Kb) — This guide is based on Rep. Ballenger's manual, recreated in Word and adapted for their office by the staff of Rep. Marlin Stutzman (IN). Note: CMF did not create and is not responsible for the content or timeliness of this manual.
Quick Guide for Casework (40 KB) — This two-page summary is also from the office of Rep. Marlin Stutzman (IN), and intended to serve as a quick reference guide to casework. Note: CMF did not create and is not responsible for the content or timeliness of this manual.
"The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly: What Works, What Doesn't, And Everything In Between: Process, Procedures, Common Sense, Advice, Conundrums, And Best Practices" (730 KB) — This how-to guide on congressional casework is written by a District Chief of Staff with more than 30 years of experience. It is a candid, comprehensive, and practical resource for caseworkers looking to provide superior constituent service. Note: CMF did not create and is not responsible its content.
Comprehensive Planning Checklist for Events (30 KB) — Determining the answers to this list of questions, compiled from district/state staff, can prevent last minute glitches by helping craft a comprehensive event action plan, which could then be used as a template for future events. Excerpted from CMF's Keeping It Local.
Sample Event Scheduling Form (27 KB) — This form can be used for managing and tracking event requests. Excerpted from CMF's Keeping It Local.
Sample Job Descriptions for House Offices — A collection of sample job descriptions for a House office, including both district and state positions.
