Communicating to Congress

[Available Formats - : Presentation (45-60 minutes); video (5 minutes)]

Program Content: Based on a survey of congressional Legislative Directors and Communications Directors, conducted jointly by CMF and National Journal, CMF has identified how congressional offices are using social media, who is responsible within offices for social media strategies, and what staffers view as the benefits and drawbacks of social media. This presentation includes how Congress is using social media to communicate Members' views; how staff transmit social media content from their platforms to policy staff and legislators; and strategies for quickly getting the attention of Members' offices.

Audience: Advanced

[Available Formats - Presentation (45-60 minutes)]

Program Content: Lobbyists and grasstops advocates constantly struggle with how to develop content that genuinely influences policy decisions. Furthermore, congressional staff are unlikely to tell constituent groups about shortcomings in their briefing materials or pet peeves about poorly-handled policy meetings. This content is based on a survey of House and Senate Legislative Assistants and Legislative Directors. It is the first research to explore the materials and content that legislative staff feel is most valuable for making policy recommendations to their boss; common mistakes groups make in meetings with legislative staff; and the best strategies for following up with legislative staff after meetings.

Audience: Advanced

[Available Formats - Presentation (45-60 minutes; video (7 minutes)]

Program Content: People have trouble remembering facts, but they never forget a good story. Effective advocacy appeals to the heart, the head, and political health of the legislator. This presentation teaches advocates how to organize and present their stories exercising the tactics actors use. It outlines the key elements of public policy advocacy storytelling, and walks participants through an exercise to develop their own personal stories to move the hearts, minds, and VOTES of lawmakers.

Audience: Beginner

[Formats Available: Presentation (45-60 minutes)]

Program Content: Email campaigns by grassroots organizations are the most common form of advocacy in America. But what distinguishes good campaigns from weak campaigns? The people in congressional offices who often make that determination are not Members of Congress, Chiefs of Staff, or Legislative Directors – they are the most junior members of the staff: Legislative Correspondents. They sort the "mail," provide reports to senior staff, and sometimes even make recommendations on what to respond to (and what to ignore). This presentation will teach participants how to write letters and emails that will get beyond their Members' mailrooms.

Audience: Beginner

[Available Formats : In-person presentation (45 minutes) and webinar (45 minutes)]

Program Content: Despite the narrative presented by Hollywood and the media, lawmakers are people too. Before being elected, they had careers, attended schools and universities, or volunteered in their community. This presentation will explain how the best citizen advocates research their Members of Congress; use their Members' profiles to adjust their communications with those Members; and connect the dots between issues advocates care about to those that their Members care about.

Audience: Beginner

[Available Format - Video (2 minutes)]

Program Content: Email campaigns by grassroots organizations are the most common form of advocacy in America. CMF research proves that personalized emails are much more influential than form emails. This video explains why it is important for constituents to personalize their communications with their Members of Congress; and what Congress looks for in constituent communication.

Audience: Beginner

[AvailableFormats: Presentation (45-60 minutes)]

Program Content: Each year, thousands of Americans meet with their Members of Congress and their staff. Many of these citizen advocates feel unprepared for their meetings because they aren't parliamentary experts and aren't fluent in Capitol Hill jargon. Citizen advocates shouldn't feel they need to know the difference between a budget resolution and budget reconciliation. Instead, they need to be prepared to provide local and personalized information that only constituents can provide. This program will inform participants about the different roles of "professional advocates" and "citizen advocates," the information Congress needs constituents to provide, and effective strategies and tactics that citizen-advocates should use to communicate with their Members of Congress.

Audience: Beginner

[Formats Available: Presentation (45-60 minutes)]

Program Content: While form email campaigns by grassroots organizations are the most common form of advocacy in America, CMF research proves that personalized communication is more effective and influential. Unfortunately, many citizen advocates fall short in their efforts to send timely and helpful information to Congress. This program will explore the information Congress looks for in personalized communication; how citizen advocates should personalize their messages to Congress; and strategies citizen advocates should use to ensure that their messages stand out.

Audience: Beginner