freshman

A CMF survey of freshmen congressional staff in the 116th Congress found that the most difficult task in setting up the office was "setting up a scheduling operation." We encourage/strongly implore all freshman offices to send at least ONE representative to this session where you'll gain insights NOT presented in any other training or venue. Presenters include two seasoned congressional schedulers offering valuable guidance on how to avoid major mishaps. Watch the recording >>

This January 29 webinar is designed for all those associated with setting up and running a freshman office in the House or Senate. The program will include congressional staff hiring guidance CMF has collected during its 43 years of service to the Congress, and will feature experts on the value and strategies of hiring a diverse staff. Watch a recording of the webinar here.

We are pleased to host a reception for staff in the Class of 2018! Now that your offices are up and running, it's a wonderful time to come and meet your colleagues in other freshman offices, as well as learn about the application process for the Democracy Awards (of which you're now eligible to apply!) We'll even have a few seasoned senior staff on-hand to answer those nagging questions you may still have.

We get it, there is a lot to juggle—everything from learning to navigate the tunnels beneath the Capitol to forging political allies and learning how to communicate well with constituents. In an effort to provide stability and support along this treacherous path, the Congressional Management Foundation recently convened an audience of experts and first-term staffers for a mid-year check-in.

Tip O'Neill once said, "It's easier to run for office than to run the office." Running a campaign and creating a congressional office are vastly different tasks. Setting up a House or Senate office includes all the challenges of starting a small business with all the red tape of a bureaucracy. During the past 40 years the Congressional Management Foundation has helped thousands of new members of Congress and their staffs set up freshman offices. Here are 7 mistakes to avoid.

This study, conducted in 2017, identifies common practices and norms on the benefits and personnel practices employed by House and Senate personal offices. Its purpose is to assist congressional managers when determining or evaluating their office policies and practices.