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A Step by Step Guide
CF advocates meet with Congressman Westmoreland (R-GA) for the 2009 Summer Advocacy event Make Every Breath Count. Pictured L to R: Janet Helms, Samantha DePriest, Madeline Daly, Tim Radney, Congressman Westmoreland, Linda Doenges, Brandi Jones, Tricia Doenges, Barbara Bricker, Crystal Adams. |
Meeting with your Member of Congress in his/her local office lets you personally convey your message about cystic fibrosis. Follow these steps to a help schedule an appointment and make the most of your meeting.
On this page:
Schedule an Appointment- First, determine whether or not the official will be at the local/home office or at the Capitol Hill office.
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Call the Member of Congress’s office well in advance of when you intend to meet with him/her.
- Ask to speak with the Appointment Secretary or Scheduler.
- To increase your chance at getting a meeting with your Representative at home, try one of these lines:
“I’m a constituent, and I would really like to meet with the Representative to discuss how cystic fibrosis has affected my life. Is there a date that he/she is available for this meeting?”
“I would really like to meet with the Congress(wo)man while he/she is back from Washington to talk about cystic fibrosis. What date would work best for his/her schedule when he/she is back home?”
- Briefly explain the purpose of your meeting request.
- Follow up. Clarify the best way to be in touch and contact the office again in a week to check on your meeting request.
- Some offices require the submission of a written request in order to schedule a meeting. Use this sample meeting request letter if you are asked to provide a letter.
- Send a thank you note following your meeting.
Meeting in person is the best way to inspire your Members of Congress to care about cystic fibrosis.
Tips for a Successful Meeting
In meeting with your Member of Congress, your job is simple—to INSPIRE. Tell your cystic fibrosis story—and remember, you’re the expert.
What To Share- That you are a constituent
- Your connection to cystic fibrosis
- Your name and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation name (again and again)
- The challenges of the disease, with the focus on solutions
How to Say It- Be prepared
- Be brief
- Be informative
- Show up early and prepare to be flexible
- Dress professionally
- Concentrate on one issue per visit
- Leave handout
Better to Leave Out
- Acronyms (like “CF”, instead use “cystic fibrosis”) or jargon
- An overload on statistics or facts
- A mention of who you voted for
And Don’t Forget to
- Follow up with a thank you letter and let us know how it went!
Be Comfortable—Remember, your Member of Congress is there to Serve YOU!
Bring along this meeting tip sheet.
After Your Meeting...
Send a Thank You Letter
If your Member of Congress has taken the time to support cystic fibrosis, be it by meeting with you or supporting legislation, it is vital to say thank you.
Here’s a great sample thank you letter.
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