| There were so many technical difficulties when doing this blog. My dumb laptop keeps on moving my pictures all over the place! The pictures on this blog just wouldn't go where I want them to go, and jump to the top... Formatting was such a pain when it wasn't supposed to be -cries- but at least it is finished :) I wish I could visit the capital some day. Doing this made me realize about all the amazing places in Washington DC, and now I really want to go there. (Ticket, why do you have to be so expensive?!) | ||||||
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Conclusion
The Capital
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This is Washington DC, the Capital. It is a beautiful place, and is the heart beat of our federal government. Besides housing many prominent government buildings like the White House, the Supreme Court, and the Capitol Building, it is also a center of our national heritage, filled with museums and memorials documenting highlights of our history. |
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| But who needs packed lunch when the place is filled with food? |
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| Please do not bring packed lunch as they are not allowed in museums, and Washington DC is FILLED with them. |
As with any tour and sightseeing vacation, dress comfortably and wear walking shoes. They will prevent your feet from crying out in pain.
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| Ahahaha |
| Go for this look. Super comfy. |
The Capitol
California Senators
These ladies here are California's current senators. They represent us in the Senate.
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| Dianne Feinstein |
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| Barbara Boxer |
19th Congressional District Representative
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| Zoe Lofgren |
Plan Your Visit Carefully. Be clear about what it is you want
to achieve; determine in advance which member or committee
staff you need to meet with to achieve your purpose.
Make an Appointment. When attempting to meet with a member, contact the Appointment Secretary/Scheduler. Explain your purpose and who you represent. It is easier for congressional staff to arrange a meeting if they know what you wish to discuss and your relationship to the area or interests represented by the member.
Be Prompt and Patient. When it is time to meet with a member, be punctual and be patient. It is not uncommon for a member to be late, or to have a meeting interrupted, due to the member's crowded schedule. If interruptions do occur, be flexible. When the opportunity presents itself, continue your meeting with a member's staff.
Be Prepared. Whenever possible, bring to the meeting information and materials supporting your position. Members are required to take positions on many different issues. In some instances, a member may lack important details about the pros and cons of a particular matter. It is therefore helpful to share with the member information and examples that demonstrate clearly the impact or benefits associated with a particular issue or piece of legislation.
Be Political (which doesn't mean partisan). Members of Congress want to represent the best interests of their district or state. Wherever possible, demonstrate the connection between what you are requesting and the interests of the member's constituency. If possible, describe for the member how you or your group can be of assistance to him/her. Where it is appropriate, remember to ask for a commitment. Remember that the member does not have to be in your political party to help.
Be Responsive. Be prepared to answer questions or provide additional information, in the event the member expresses interest or asks questions. Follow up the meeting with a thank you letter that outlines the different points covered during the meeting, and send along any additional information and materials requested.
For even more detailed expert advice about contacting a member of Congress, visit CongressLink's selection from AdVanced Consulting's Advocacy Classroom. This selection provides expert tips for reaching your Congress member. Learn what a congressional office can and cannot (or should not) do for you, what staff members do, and how best to deal with them. Click here.
- See more at: http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_tipsforcontacting.htm#visit
Make an Appointment. When attempting to meet with a member, contact the Appointment Secretary/Scheduler. Explain your purpose and who you represent. It is easier for congressional staff to arrange a meeting if they know what you wish to discuss and your relationship to the area or interests represented by the member.
Be Prompt and Patient. When it is time to meet with a member, be punctual and be patient. It is not uncommon for a member to be late, or to have a meeting interrupted, due to the member's crowded schedule. If interruptions do occur, be flexible. When the opportunity presents itself, continue your meeting with a member's staff.
Be Prepared. Whenever possible, bring to the meeting information and materials supporting your position. Members are required to take positions on many different issues. In some instances, a member may lack important details about the pros and cons of a particular matter. It is therefore helpful to share with the member information and examples that demonstrate clearly the impact or benefits associated with a particular issue or piece of legislation.
Be Political (which doesn't mean partisan). Members of Congress want to represent the best interests of their district or state. Wherever possible, demonstrate the connection between what you are requesting and the interests of the member's constituency. If possible, describe for the member how you or your group can be of assistance to him/her. Where it is appropriate, remember to ask for a commitment. Remember that the member does not have to be in your political party to help.
Be Responsive. Be prepared to answer questions or provide additional information, in the event the member expresses interest or asks questions. Follow up the meeting with a thank you letter that outlines the different points covered during the meeting, and send along any additional information and materials requested.
For even more detailed expert advice about contacting a member of Congress, visit CongressLink's selection from AdVanced Consulting's Advocacy Classroom. This selection provides expert tips for reaching your Congress member. Learn what a congressional office can and cannot (or should not) do for you, what staff members do, and how best to deal with them. Click here.
- See more at: http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_tipsforcontacting.htm#visit
Contacting your personal representative in person is difficult, for they are busy people, but it is not impossible. Plan your visit carefully, of course, and you must make an appointment via the appointment secretary. Since 9/11, security on federal buildings and such had greatly intensified, so you really can't just walk in. When you've booked an appointment, be there on time. Again, our representatives are very busy people. They may be late, but you can't.
They are reachable by e-mail, be succinct, respectful, and write in business letter format.
To be honest, I don't have anything I want to ask our representatives, but seeing that they deal with the law-making of our country, I would ask them questions regarding current bills that applies to me, like:
- Clarifications on the Affordable Health Care Act, will it be modified? Will it stay the same? Being a recent law, what does the representative feel about its effectiveness?
- Are there any current bills that pique your interest? How so?
- I've just recently got my driver's liscence, there wasn't many cars on my test route, and it was on basic maneuvers. Seeing as automobile accidents are the #1 cause of death, what do you think about this issue?
Plan Your Visit Carefully. Be clear about what it is you want
to achieve; determine in advance which member or committee
staff you need to meet with to achieve your purpose.
Make an Appointment. When attempting to meet with a member, contact the Appointment Secretary/Scheduler. Explain your purpose and who you represent. It is easier for congressional staff to arrange a meeting if they know what you wish to discuss and your relationship to the area or interests represented by the member.
Be Prompt and Patient. When it is time to meet with a member, be punctual and be patient. It is not uncommon for a member to be late, or to have a meeting interrupted, due to the member's crowded schedule. If interruptions do occur, be flexible. When the opportunity presents itself, continue your meeting with a member's staff.
Be Prepared. Whenever possible, bring to the meeting information and materials supporting your position. Members are required to take positions on many different issues. In some instances, a member may lack important details about the pros and cons of a particular matter. It is therefore helpful to share with the member information and examples that demonstrate clearly the impact or benefits associated with a particular issue or piece of legislation.
Be Political (which doesn't mean partisan). Members of Congress want to represent the best interests of their district or state. Wherever possible, demonstrate the connection between what you are requesting and the interests of the member's constituency. If possible, describe for the member how you or your group can be of assistance to him/her. Where it is appropriate, remember to ask for a commitment. Remember that the member does not have to be in your political party to help.
Be Responsive. Be prepared to answer questions or provide additional information, in the event the member expresses interest or asks questions. Follow up the meeting with a thank you letter that outlines the different points covered during the meeting, and send along any additional information and materials requested.
For even more detailed expert advice about contacting a member of Congress, visit CongressLink's selection from AdVanced Consulting's Advocacy Classroom. This selection provides expert tips for reaching your Congress member. Learn what a congressional office can and cannot (or should not) do for you, what staff members do, and how best to deal with them. Click here.
- See more at: http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_tipsforcontacting.htm#visit
Make an Appointment. When attempting to meet with a member, contact the Appointment Secretary/Scheduler. Explain your purpose and who you represent. It is easier for congressional staff to arrange a meeting if they know what you wish to discuss and your relationship to the area or interests represented by the member.
Be Prompt and Patient. When it is time to meet with a member, be punctual and be patient. It is not uncommon for a member to be late, or to have a meeting interrupted, due to the member's crowded schedule. If interruptions do occur, be flexible. When the opportunity presents itself, continue your meeting with a member's staff.
Be Prepared. Whenever possible, bring to the meeting information and materials supporting your position. Members are required to take positions on many different issues. In some instances, a member may lack important details about the pros and cons of a particular matter. It is therefore helpful to share with the member information and examples that demonstrate clearly the impact or benefits associated with a particular issue or piece of legislation.
Be Political (which doesn't mean partisan). Members of Congress want to represent the best interests of their district or state. Wherever possible, demonstrate the connection between what you are requesting and the interests of the member's constituency. If possible, describe for the member how you or your group can be of assistance to him/her. Where it is appropriate, remember to ask for a commitment. Remember that the member does not have to be in your political party to help.
Be Responsive. Be prepared to answer questions or provide additional information, in the event the member expresses interest or asks questions. Follow up the meeting with a thank you letter that outlines the different points covered during the meeting, and send along any additional information and materials requested.
For even more detailed expert advice about contacting a member of Congress, visit CongressLink's selection from AdVanced Consulting's Advocacy Classroom. This selection provides expert tips for reaching your Congress member. Learn what a congressional office can and cannot (or should not) do for you, what staff members do, and how best to deal with them. Click here.
- See more at: http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_tipsforcontacting.htm#visit
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