1. Getting Your Point Across to Congress A Presentation for the Dirksen Centers Congress in the Classroom Presenter: Stephanie Vance

2. Topics Is Government Broken? Tips and Techniques for Breaking Through the Chaos A New Online and FREE Resource for Teaching About Advocacy – www.advocacyclassroom.comwww.advocacyclassroom.com Thats Great, but What Have We Done for You Lately? The Top Ten List of Things Elected Officials and Staff Hate to Hear

3. Is Government Broken? Number of bills introduced in a Congressional session Percentage of bills that pass Percentage of those that pass related to the renaming of post offices and federal buildings Average time for a meeting with an elected official What is the most common question you hear in an elected officials office?

4. Breaking Through the Chaos What do you want? Who should you ask? How should you ask? How should you follow-up?

5. What Do You Want? You must Make the Ask

6. Relationship Building Asks Help with Regulatory Agencies Congressional Record statement One minute or five minute speech on the floor Site visit / Meeting with employees Website statement

7. Who Should You Ask? Key Questions Who do they care about? Why are you relevant? What does the elected official care about?

8. How Should You Ask? Developing your Message Know Your Facts Make it Your Own Message Be Positive Be Specific The Five Minute Rule

9. Teaching About Advocacy: A New Online Resource

10. Accessing the Advocacy Classroom Go to www.advocacyclassroom.com www.advocacyclassroom.com Click Enroll for Classes (Right side of screen) Enter information and submit Choose Purchase Additional Classes Select Communications 101 and Add to Cart Use coupon code advocate and hit apply (You will not be charged.) Click secure checkout Enter required information

11. What Youll Find… (Content)

12. What Youll Find… (Quizzes)

13. The Top Ten List: What Staff & Elected Officials Hate to Hear 10. But I thought my appointment was with the Senator! 9. Heres some reading material for you – our 300 page annual report 8. How much of a campaign contribution did your boss get to vote against (or for) this bill? 7. I assume you know all about bill number 1234

14. The Top Ten List, Continued 6. No, I dont have an appointment but I promise Ill only take ½ hour of your time. 5. No, I dont really need anything specific. 4. We have ten (or more) people in our group. 3. What youre telling me cant be right. I heard Jon Stewart from the Daily Show say otherwise. 2. What do you mean we have to stand in the hall?

15. … And the number one item? No, I dont represent anyone from your district. I just thought youd be interested in what I have to say.

16. Go Forth and Advocate! Take the Effective Advocacy Pledge…