How To Lobby Your Member of Congress SHRM Advocacy Day – SHRM Leadership Conference – November 18, 2010

©SHRM Overview Logistics for congressional visits What to expect in your meetings How to conduct a meeting Summary of issues to be discussed during Hill visits Tips and tactics from dealing with congressional staff

©SHRM Draft Agenda for SHRM Advocacy Day 9:45 – 10:30Pick up Capitol Hill Packets from Hill Desk at the hotel 10:30 AMBriefing/Working Lunch at the Hotel Noon Buses Depart for Capitol Hill 1:00 PMConduct only 1 Meeting in the U.S. Senate 2:00 PMConduct Meeting with your Representative in the House 2:45 PMBoard Buses back to the Hotel from Capitol Hill 3:15 PMArrive at the hotel for Opening General Session at 4 PM

©SHRM Capitol Hill Logistics

©SHRM How to Lobby Your Member of Congress Select a meeting leader to start the meeting: Group introduction SHRM introduction Issue introduction

©SHRM How to Lobby Your Member of Congress (MOC) Issue We’ll be Covering in Our Meetings Today on Capitol Hill: > Employer-Provided Educational Assistance – Section 127 Tax Benefit Set to Expire – House only > The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 3772) – Only to be Discussed in Your Senate Meetings – Senate only, unless cloture vote occurs before November 18

©SHRM Section 127: Key Talking Points SHRM strongly supports permanent extension of Section 127 employer-provided education benefits During a tough economy, tax policies should encourage employers to invest in the training and development of their employees Repeatedly extending Section 127, rather than making it permanent, causes a great deal of confusion for employees, employers, and educational facilities in Virginia Please encourage Representatives to cosponsor H.R and support inclusion of Section 127 benefits in the omnibus tax extension proposal. TELL YOUR STORY: If your workplace offers educational benefits and you have seen employees use this benefit, be sure to share the experience How to Lobby Your Member of Congress

©SHRM The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 3772): Key Talking Points about the Legislation Restricts employer compensation practices—The PFA would effectively prohibit an organization from basing its pay decisions or compensation system on many legitimate factors, such as an employee’s professional experience, education, training, or the company’s profitability. Encourages wage disclosures—The PFA would effectively encourage employees to publicize their co-workers’ salaries by preventing employers from restricting employees from disclosing or discussing the wages of other employees. How to Lobby Your Member of Congress

©SHRM Your Advantages You are the experts Only 2 out of 535 Members of Congress have an HR background You deal with workplace issues on a daily basis, and understand their real world implications You are their constituent and have a constitutional right to share your views about such matters of importance to your state and country How to Lobby Your Member of Congress

©SHRM Wear comfortable shoes – there will be a lot of walking on marble floors. Remember you are representing SHRM and your organization. Clearly explain what impact the proposed issue will have on your workplace Use workplace experiences that relate to the issue – tell your personal story State your position Ask official/staff to state their position on the issue How to Lobby Your Member of Congress

©SHRM Thank them for their time and offer to be a resource on other workplace issues before Congress Give them the leave-behind material Leave a business card and ask for the staff member’s business card Follow up – be sure to send a thank you note that reiterates what we discussed today Maintain the relationship you just created How to Lobby Your Member of Congress

©SHRM How to Lobby Your Member of Congress