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Policy Leaders

Meeting directly with your state and national government representatives can be a great way to begin building support. Often they are not aware of the issue, leading to a perfect opportunity to inform them of your position. It also means that you must be prepared with a clearly articulated argument, and the facts to back your request for action. Finding a high-level champion for your cause, for instance a prominent leader in the business community or a former political leader, to meet with representatives with you, is an ideal way to gain access to high-level decision makers. As that is not always possible, you may find yourself meeting with the representative or his/her staff person. These guidelines can help you prepare:

  • Meet with a Congressional member while they are back in the district (usually on holidays, recesses and weekends). Because their time is limited, their schedules fill up rapidly, meaning that you need to plan your meeting well in advance
  • Formally request the meeting in writing and follow-up by calling the state/district office and asking for the scheduler or appointment secretary. Tell them exactly what you wish to discuss and why they may be interested
  • Once you have secured a meeting time, send a packet of background materials to the representative's office and be sure to include a letter confirming your appointment
  • Bring extra copies of the packet of materials to your meeting--a copy for you and copies for the member and anyone they may want to include in the meeting
  • Be on time to the meeting and remember that representatives are busy, so the meeting may be interrupted or continued with a staff member
  • Some points to emphasize:
    • Demonstrate the connection between international education and the interests of the constituency (this is where you can use your preliminary research on economics and demographics)
    • If possible, describe how many people in the district support you
    • Describe ways in which you can be of assistance to the member or his/her staff
    • Ask the member for a commitment
    • Come prepared to answer questions, but if you do not know the answer tell the member/staff person that you will get back to them, do not make up an answer
  • Send a thank you letter after the meeting that includes any information that was requested
    (Above information was adapted from: Physicians for Human Rights website at: www.phrusa.org/students/community_politics.html)

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