Communicating with your elected officials: You don’t need luck Presented by Zora AuBuchon, MDHE Will Shaffner, MOHELA Paul Wagner, MDHE

Today’s Agenda General Do’s and Don’ts –Why communicate –Developing relationships –Tips for meetings Missouri’s elected officials The Congress of the United States

General Do’s and Don’ts

Why Communicate? Issues faced by your institution Issues faced within the financial aid profession Student or borrower issues

Identifying Contacts Identify members of Congress sitting on specific committees Identify the elected official’s staff member(s) for higher education issues

Developing Relationships Meet in person as often as possible Periodically provide updates about your organization –News releases –Announcements Frequency of contact –Do not overdo messages Note: Staff turnover can be high; it is important to keep a continuous dialog going

Key Staff to Know Administrative Assistant (Chief of Staff) Legislative Director Senior Legislative Assistant Legislative Assistant Executive Assistant (scheduler)

A First-Time Meeting To schedule, contact the scheduler/executive assistant and provide: –The requested meeting date –Issues to be discussed –Who and how many will be attending Constituents are more likely to obtain the meeting The scheduler should follow up with you within five business days

Tips for Meetings Be aware of whether the member sits on the committee with jurisdiction on your issue Ask for the Legislative Director to join If meeting with a junior staffer –Subtly test his/her knowledge of the issue –Educate the staffer Staffers tend to be “jacks of all trades” –NOT specialists –Overworked and underpaid

More Tips for Meetings Arrive on time –Avoid canceling at any cost! Meetings should be minutes MAX –Get to your point and stick to the issues If you want the member to do something –Be clear about what you want the member to do –Be responsive to their requests for information! Provide what is needed the same day –Follow up

Missouri’s Elected Officials

Legislators with an Interest in Higher Education Constituents come first Any legislator with a college or university will be interested Legislators receive many calls from constituents having problems with financial aid, admissions, or other higher education issues

Legislators with an Interest in Higher Education Members of committee to which a bill is assigned Members of the House Higher Education and Senate Education Committee

Grassroots Campaigns

Missouri Senate

Missouri House of Representatives

Staying Connected in Missouri

The Congress of the United States

Contacts: Missouri 111 th Congress Missouri’s U.S. Senators –Mr. Christopher (“Kit”) Bond –Ms. Claire McCaskill Missouri’s Representatives

Correspondence to a Senator Envelope: The Honorable (insert full name) United States Senate (Insert address) Washington, D.C Letter salutation: Dear Senator (insert last name)

Correspondence to a Representative Envelope: The Honorable (insert full name) United States House of Representatives (Insert address) Washington, D.C Letter salutation: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms.(insert last name)

House Committees Committee on Education and Labor –George Miller (D-CA), Chair –Buck McKeon (R-CA), Ranking Member Subcommittee on Higher Education –Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Chair –Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Ranking Member

House Committees Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary & Secondary Education –Dale Kildee (D-MI), Chair –Mike Castle (R-DE), Ranking Member

Senate Committee Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions –Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Chair –Michael B. Enzi (R-WY), Ranking Member

Questions or Comments? Thank you for attending.