Meeting With Your Elected Officials

Another excellent opportunity for scientists to communicate with their senators and representatives is during periods when they are back in the home state or district. During these periods, legislators meet with their constituents to learn how voters feel about the issues being debated in Congress. It is often easier to meet with an elected official in the state or home district because the legislative demands of Washington are not affecting his/her schedule. A call to the district or state office will tell you when the legislator will be in the state. Meeting in the state can have the advantage that you probably will not be the 85th item on that day's calendar as is apt to happen in Washington. Even if your representative is unable to meet with you while in the district, ask to meet with the staff member who has responsibilities for science matters.

If you are planning a trip to Washington, you can set up a visit to your legislator's office. If the Member of Congress can not meet with you, ask for a meeting with the staffer handling science issues.

Procedures for visits in Washington and the home state or district are as follows:

1. Make an appointment, state the subject to be discussed, the time needed (do not expect to get more than 15 or 20 minutes if meeting with the Member in Washington), and identify persons who will attend.
2. Be early for the appointment and be prepared to wait. Legislators' schedules change frequently and you must be flexible with your time. Do not be disappointed if the legislator can not meet with you and a staffer does. Staffers are extremely influential with the legislator. Be prepared to make the same presentation to the staffer that you would have made to the legislator.
3. Select a spokesperson if others are going with you. Agree on your presentation in advance. Also, make sure that everyone in the group is in agreement on the issue to be discussed. You do not want to be surprised in the meeting if a member of the group starts in on a different agenda.
4. Know the facts, both legislative and related to your position. If a bill is being discussed, know its number and title, and the Member's position on it.
5. Present the facts in an orderly, concise, positive manner. Be prepared to discuss the arguments that are counter to your position. The Member or staffer may want to explore the issue from all sides when discussing it with you.
6. Relate the positive impact of legislation you support and the problems it corrects.
7. Relate the negative impact of legislation that you oppose and offer, where appropriate, a different approach.
8. Prepare a one-page fact sheet to leave at the end of your visit.

9. Ask for favorable consideration of your position, thank the legislator or staffer for his/her time and courtesy, and leave promptly.

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ASLA 97-3: AGU Science Legislative Alert (ASLA)
A KOSMOS service for AGU members.
E-mail address: asla@kosmos.agu.org