SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS

TIPS

A meeting with your Member of Congress is the most effective way of communicating the importance of the National Center for Social Work Research Act. Meetings can be done in the district with your Senators or Representative when he/she is on recess or with a district staff member. However, if you are in Washington D.C. and would like to set up a meeting on Capitol Hill that would also be beneficial. When attempting to schedule an appointment with your Senator or Representative:

• Look up the district office information for your Representative and Senators.
• Call the legislator’s scheduler or appointment secretary.
• Identify yourself as a social worker and educator from the district or state and request an appointment to meet for 15 to 20 minutes with your senator or representative about the National Center for Social Work Research Act.
• If you are unable to set up a meeting with your Representative or Senator, request a meeting with a staff member who is familiar with the issue. Congressional staff are important; they track issues for Members of Congress and advise them on the pros and cons of issues for their district.
• In most cases the scheduler will ask for your request in writing. Due to the time that it takes for mail to make it to legislator’s offices after September 11, FAX your request before you mail it.

SAMPLE APPOINTMENT LETTER