Practical guidance how to prepare for and meet with elected officials and staff, how to write effective letters and emails to elected officials, strategies for influencing legislators face-to-face, best practices for communicating with Congress and state legislatures, and how to write persuasive 'letters to the editor’.
This book is one part research studies, one part interviews and focus groups, and one part experience. It uses available research on Congress and its decision making. Dozens of elected officials, including members of Congress, and their staff agreed to off-the-record interviews and discussed the factors that contribute to their decision-making process.
Strategies for Influencing Legislators Face-to-Face
Best Practices for Communicating with Congress and State Legislatures
Practical Guidance How to Prepare for and Meet with Elected Officials
How to Write Effective Letters and Email to Members of Congress
How to Write Persuasive Letters to the Editor that Get Published
Summary Table of Contents
Part I. How Government Really Works
Ch. 1. How Congressional Offices Work
Ch. 2. Congressional Culture
Ch. 3. How Legislators Make Decisions
Ch. 4. People Who Can (and Can’t) Influence Legislators and How They Do It
Part II. How to Influence a Legislator
Ch. 5. Strategies for Influencing Legislators
Ch. 6. Face-to-Face Meetings
Ch. 7. Communications
Appendices
A. The Advocate’s Pledge
B. US Constitution and Amendments
C. Declaration of Independence
D. Information about Congress and Washington, DC Index
Complete Table of Contents online at www.Citizens Handbook.com
Spis treści
About This Book
Introduction
Part I. How Government Really Works
Ch. 1. How Congressional Offices Work
1.1 Dominant Role of Constituents
1.2 Offices Are Like Small Businesses
1.3 Representational Work for Constituents
1.4 Legislative Work for the District, State, and Nation
Ch. 2. Congressional Culture
2.1 Working Environment of 'The Last Plantation.’
2.2 Congressional Hierarchy
2.3 Committees – Where the Real Work Is Done
2.4 Congressional Staff Descriptions
Ch. 3. How Legislators Make Decisions
3.1 Heart
3.2 Head
3.3 Health (political)
Ch. 4. People Who Can (and Can’t) Influence Legislators and How They Do It
4.1 Family and Friends Have the Lawmaker’s Ear
4.2 Knowledgeable Acquaintances Can Make a Difference
4.3 Legislators Pay Attention to Respected Colleagues
4.4 Legislative Leaders and Arm Twisting
4.5 The Real Influence of Lobbyists
4.6 Campaign Contributor Are Less Influential Than You Think
4.7 Are Legislators Driven by Polling?
4.8 How Paid Advertising Affects Legislators’ Thinking
4.9 You Are Competing with Everyone, Even Though You Don’t Know It
Chart 1 – Influence Factors of Undecided Legislators
Part II. How to Influence a Legislator
Ch. 5. Strategies for Influencing Legislators
5.1 Get to Them BEFORE They Take a Stand
5.2 The Personal Story Trumps All
5.3 How to Build Long-term Relationships with Legislators
5.4 How to Leverage Your Affiliations to Magnify Your Power
5.5 How to Map Your Economic and Political Footprint
5.6 How to Influence Legislators Who Don’t Represent You
5.7 How to Influence Congressional Committee Staff
Ch. 6. Face-to-Face Meetings
6.1 Tips for Meeting with Legislators or Staff
6.2 How to Influence Legislators at Town Hall Meetings
6.3 How to Turn a Chance Meeting into a Legislative Victory
6.4 Influencing Staff, and Why It’s Important
Ch. 7. Communications
7.1 How to Write Letters and Email to Legislators that Influence Decision-Making
7.2 What Kind of Mail Do Lawmakers Really Read?
7.3 How One Letter Reached the Oval Office and Fed a Million People
7.4 Effective (and Ineffective) Phone Calls to Legislators
7.5 Why Petitions Usually Fail to Influence Congress
7.6 How to Write Letters to the Editor that Get Published
7.7 Thank or Spank: After-the-Vote Communications
7.8 The Magic of Combining Advocacy Tactics
Appendices
A. U.S. Constitution and Amendments
B. Declaration of Independence
C. The Advocate’s Pledge
D. How to Analyze a Legislator’s Perception of Our Issue
E. Information about Congress and Washington, DC
Complete Table of Contents online at www.Citizens Handbook.com
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