How To Meet

Your Congressperson

Formal Meetings

1. Arrange a meeting with your Representative or one of your Senators. Schedule a meeting at the Member's local office.

2. If visiting Washington, DC, consider arranging meeting at the Member's Washington office.

3. Include in your lobbying group people who have varied, but relevant, backgrounds: doctor, nurse, pregnancy counselor, lawyer, community leader.

4. Inform yourself in advance of the Member's voting record and position on the issue.

5. Prepare for the meeting: Assign each group member a specific talking point.

6. When giving facts/figures/survey results/dollar amounts, have sources for these readily available.

7. Use anecdotal stories when appropriate.

8. If you do not have the information needed to answer a question, offer to get back later with a response.

9. Provide your Member with a packet of information supporting your position: research or position papers, articles, editorials, reports, and the like.

10. Press for commitment: Ask if you can count on the Member's vote or what you can do to get his or her support.

11. Thank Member and/or Aide for their time.

12. Follow up with a thank you letter that restates your position.

13. Report the Member's comments to your diocesan pro-life coordinator.

Informal Meetings