3 Tips to be Heard at a Congressional Town Hall

The content below is courtesy of the Friends of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Town halls are getting quite a bit of attention these days. Shouting constituents and police escorts seem to be the trend – but are main messages getting through?

If you’re thinking about attending an event with your Representative or Senator, learn how to make a real impact on the issues you care about … even if you don’t make the evening news.

Introduce Yourself to the Congressional Staff.

Members of Congress don’t fly solo. At public events, they typically have one to three staff members with them. Congressional staff are trusted members of an elected official’s team and they work every day for your district.

Take a moment to introduce yourself and ask for a business card. Field Representatives, District Directors, and Communications and Press staff are usually the most responsive when it comes to talking policy in the district. Follow-up by email thanking them for their time, and now you have a direct line of communication to an actual person on the Member’s staff. Don’t abuse this! Send emails only on important issues and always be respectful and professional.

When You Have a Question, Frame it with a Story

Policy is dry – and often boring – even to Members of Congress. Citing public law and statistical numbers doesn’t sway opinion, but stories do. Explain why and how a policy is affecting you, your family, your business, or your community.

Members take these stories with them when they go back to Congress, share with colleagues, and often cite them in committee discussions and on the House floor.

Follow-up with a Letter to the Editor

After attending a town hall or similar event with your member of Congress, write a short letter to the editor of your local paper sharing your observations and opinions. These should be about 150 words, and make sure you include the Member’s name. When it’s published online, the Congressional office will receive a media alert and be sure to see it, likely including it in the following day’s internal press clips that are sent to the Member and all staff.

If your elected official supported your policy, thank them. If they don’t quite see the light, publicly reinforce your opinion and highlight your disappointment. Post the letter on Facebook as well, where friends and neighbors can see and share.

You are a Constituent

Elected officials represent you and deserve to hear from you. But they also represent at least 700,000 of your neighbors and are human beings with families and a multitude of commitments. To be effective as you engage on policy that is important to you, be respectful and build relationship that can extend past one event or email.

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