1.) Make a list of what you want to say to the Scheduler and have it
with you when you make the call. It may sound silly, and you may never
even look at it, but it will definitely boost your confidence. They will
ask for the date, of course, what you would like to speak to the Representative
about, and possibly who will be attending the meeting.
2.) Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or your local office and ask to be connected
to your Member of Congress’s office or dial the number directly
if you have it. If you don’t know who your representative is, or to make an appointment at a local office, visit
www.congress.org to find all pertinent information. All you need is your zip code.
3.) Ask to speak to the Scheduler. If he or she is unavailable leave
a message with your name and phone number requesting a meeting. Most likely
they will return your phone call; however, if you do not hear back from
the Scheduler by the next day, call again the following day. Remember
that these people are very busy, but ultimately they work for you, and
it is fully within your rights to ask to see and speak to your Member
of Congress. Keep making follow up calls until you speak to the Scheduler
directly. This could take eight or ten calls, so don’t get discouraged.
If you end up with a no, ask to meet with an aide, that would be working
on such an issue. Each office has their own assignments so this could
be anyone. Also ask for a meeting in the district when you are home and
the MOC will be as well. This will require equal persistence. Ask the
DC scheduler who to talk to in the local office. They will also have the
number if you don’t.
4.) Be ready to tell
the Scheduler what the meeting will pertain to. Inform the Scheduler
you will be faxing a request for the meeting with all of the pertinent
information
they required. You may want to ask if they would like it emailed as well.
5.) Congratulations, the hard part is over and you have the meeting
secured. Last, but certainly not least, make a note in your planner to
reconfirm your meeting the Friday before your appointment is scheduled.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. There is nothing worse than
traveling all the way to DC to find that they have bumped your meeting.
Good luck and have a great time! Click here for tips on what to do
while you are in the meeting.
" I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars
of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent
redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of the land. Most of these
people will never make the headlines and their names will not appear in
Who's Who. Yet when years have rolled past and when the blazing light
of truth is focused on this marvelous age in which we live--men and women
will know and children will be taught that we have a finer land, a better
people, a more noble civilization--because these humble children of God
were willing to suffer for righteousness' sake."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech - Dec. 1964
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