Visit Your Member of Congress
Meeting with your member of Congress or his/her staff back home in the district sends a powerful message. Members of Congress are “back home” during the month of August and this is a perfect time to set up a meeting. If you chose to go this route, focus on your House of Representative member rather then your Senator; it’s much easier to secure a meeting with your Congressman/woman. Take a few minutes today to set up a meeting.
Be sure to report back after your meeting and tell us what kind of response you received.
Steps to ensure an effective in-district meeting:
- Send an e-mail or letter requesting a meeting. Most members of Congress can be reached in their district office over Congressional recess and many are available on Fridays.
- Promptly follow-up your e-mail or letter with a telephone call to the member’s district office. Ask to speak with the member’s scheduler who handles district office appointments. You may be referred to the member’s Washington, DC office. If referred, the main number for the Capitol Hill switchboard is 202-224-3121. The switchboard can transfer you to any House or Senate office.
- Invite other RTs, friends and family to attend the meeting. Hearing the same message, individually and collectively from the respiratory therapy community is the best way to make an impact on the Member and show the back-home support for HR 1077/S 343. If you are meeting with others in your group, meet ahead of time to plan the discussion strategy. One person should be designated to deliver the key message you want to leave with the member of Congress.
- Your discussion with the Member should be organized and focused on the respiratory therapy issue. Ask directly for the member’s help in supporting our legislation. The AARC has background papers and documentation to support out RT Initiative. The AARC executive office staff can email all this information to download and leave with the member. Just contact Cheryl West and ask for the “leave with” information.
- Finally remember to write a thank-you note to the member of Congress and any staff members present during the meeting.
- Report Back! Tell us what kind of response you received on Lobby Day using our online form.
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