Every policymaker and his or her staff have tales to tell about their, well, “interesting” meetings. Like those businesspeople who start their pitch with, “you never agree with me and always take money from the other side. I don’t even know why I’m here. But do you think you could vote for this legislation? What if I paid for your vote with a big campaign contribution?” With a few notable exceptions, that approach is likely to get you shown to the door – and quick.
Or how about those entrepreneurs who are outraged to meet with a staff person instead of an elected official? They may say something like “I have to meet with just you? Isn’t there someone more important I can talk to? I don’t think you’ll be able to understand this complicated issue.” Hmmm, that doesn’t sound like a good way to make friends and influence people.
And then there are the large trade associations that literally back policymakers into a corner at public events, all the while shaking their fingers and saying things like “We demand an answer right now. After all, we pay your salary. You better do what we say.” Again, while you may be thinking that, saying it is not always the best way to get opinion leaders on your side.
Needless to say, this is no way to get your policy interest heard on Capitol Hill. Yet businesses continue to believe that offering to buy votes, being rude to the staff and overwhelming an office with demands for answers works. With a new administration, new Congress and, unfortunately, many of the same old problems, more people than ever are expected to reach out to their elected officials and staff to discuss policy issues. If you’re interested in making a difference, it’s critically important to know what NOT to say to elected officials and their staff:
No. 1: “But I thought my appointment was with the Senator. I don’t want to meet with ‘just staff.’”
Never, ever indicate that you are disappointed to be meeting with a staff person. On Capitol Hill, having a good relationship with a staff person can make or break your cause.
No. 2: “Here’s some reading material for you – our 300-page annual report.”
When meeting with a member of Congress or staff person, try to limit your leave behind materials to one or two pages, and include details on where this information can be located on the Web, if appropriate. Offering the information in a file folder with your organization’s name on the label will also help ensure that the materials are put in a file drawer, as opposed to the round file.
No. 3: “How much of a campaign contribution did your boss get to vote against (or for) this bill?”
Believe it or not, most staff has no idea who contributed to their boss’ campaigns. Not only is this question insulting, but even if it were accurate, the staff person isn’t likely to know.
No. 4: “I assume you know all about HR 1234.”
With thousands of bills being introduced during each Congressional meeting, no staff person will be able to keep them all straight. Always provide information on the bill title, number and general provisions when communicating with a Congressional office.
No. 5: “No, I don’t have an appointment, but I promise I’ll only take 30 minutes of your time.”
Unless it’s an emergency, or you are good friends with the elected official or staff person, try not to engage in the dreaded “stop-by.” Most staff are happy to try to set up a meeting if you are relevant to the office (i.e., you are a constituent).
No. 6: “No, I don’t really need anything specific.”
If you don’t ask for something – a bill co-sponsorship, a congressional record statement, a meeting in the district, whatever – staff will wonder why you came by (and are wasting their time). Updates on your issue are fine, so long as they are accompanied by a request. That will ensure that someone in the office thinks about you and your issue for longer than five minutes.
No. 7: “What you’re telling me can’t be right. I heard Mr. Smith of XYZ Company say otherwise.”
Most staff, or members for that matter, won’t lie to you. They know that lying will get them in big trouble. Sometimes, they may see things differently than you do, but if they say a bill definitely is not going to be considered on the floor, or if there is no such legislation, believe them. A perfect example is a petition that was floating around the Internet about a House bill number 602P from a Congressman Schnell that would impose fees on use of e-mail. There is no such thing as either House bill 602P (that's not even a possible number), nor is there a Congressman Schnell.
No. 8: “We have 10 (or more) people in our group.”
Congressional offices are tiny. If you have more than five people in your group, you’ll be standing out in the hallway. Plus, having so many people talking at once can dilute the impact of your message. Try to limit your group to no more than five.
No. 9: “What do you mean we have to stand in the hall?”
See No. 7. A request to meet in the hallway is simply an indication of space limitations, nothing more.
No. 10: “No, I don’t represent anyone from your district. I just thought you’d be interested in what I have to say.”
Members are elected to represent their constituents. Period. If you are not their constituent, you are not relevant to them. Some members do rise to higher positions, but that just means they represent the interest of other members, not the entire nation. Your time is always best spent working with your own elected official and turning them into an advocate for your cause.
Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru at Advocacy Associates, is author of “Government by the People: How to Communicate with Congress” and a former Capitol Hill chief of staff. She lives and works in Washington, D.C., offering workshops and trainings on effective advocacy. Find out more at www.advocacyguru.com.
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