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Communicating with your elected officials: You don’t need luck Presented by Zora AuBuchon, MDHE Will Shaffner, MOHELA Paul Wagner, MDHE Today’s Agenda • General Do’s and Don’ts – Why communicate – Developing relationships – Tips for meetings • Missouri’s elected officials • The Congress of the United States General Do’s and Don’ts Why Communicate? • Issues faced by your institution • Issues faced within the financial aid profession • Student or borrower issues Identifying Contacts • Identify members of Congress sitting on specific committees • Identify the elected official’s staff member(s) for higher education issues Developing Relationships • Meet in person as often as possible • Periodically provide updates about your organization – News releases – Announcements • Frequency of contact – Do not overdo email messages Note: Staff turnover can be high; it is important to keep a continuous dialog going Key Staff to Know • • • • • Administrative Assistant (Chief of Staff) Legislative Director Senior Legislative Assistant Legislative Assistant Executive Assistant (scheduler) A First-Time Meeting • To schedule, contact the scheduler/executive assistant and provide: – The requested meeting date – Issues to be discussed – Who and how many will be attending • Constituents are more likely to obtain the meeting • The scheduler should follow up with you within five business days Tips for Meetings • Be aware of whether the member sits on the committee with jurisdiction on your issue • Ask for the Legislative Director to join • If meeting with a junior staffer – Subtly test his/her knowledge of the issue – Educate the staffer • Staffers tend to be “jacks of all trades” – NOT specialists – Overworked and underpaid More Tips for Meetings • Arrive on time – Avoid canceling at any cost! • Meetings should be 10-15 minutes MAX – Get to your point and stick to the issues • If you want the member to do something – Be clear about what you want the member to do – Be responsive to their requests for information! • Provide what is needed the same day – Follow up Missouri’s Elected Officials Legislators with an Interest in Higher Education • Constituents come first • Any legislator with a college or university will be interested • Legislators receive many calls from constituents having problems with financial aid, admissions, or other higher education issues Legislators with an Interest in Higher Education • Members of committee to which a bill is assigned • Members of the House Higher Education and Senate Education Committee Grassroots Campaigns Missouri Senate • http://www.senate.mo.gov/ Missouri House of Representatives • http://www.house.mo.gov/ Staying Connected in Missouri The Congress of the United States Contacts: Missouri 111th Congress • Missouri’s U.S. Senators – Mr. Christopher (“Kit”) Bond – Ms. Claire McCaskill • Missouri’s Representatives Correspondence to a Senator • Envelope: The Honorable (insert full name) United States Senate (Insert address) Washington, D.C. 20510 • Letter salutation: Dear Senator (insert last name) Correspondence to a Representative • Envelope: The Honorable (insert full name) United States House of Representatives (Insert address) Washington, D.C. 20515 • Letter salutation: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms.(insert last name) House Committees • Committee on Education and Labor – George Miller (D-CA), Chair – Buck McKeon (R-CA), Ranking Member • Subcommittee on Higher Education – Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Chair – Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Ranking Member House Committees • Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary & Secondary Education – Dale Kildee (D-MI), Chair – Mike Castle (R-DE), Ranking Member Senate Committee • Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions – Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Chair – Michael B. Enzi (R-WY), Ranking Member Questions or Comments? Thank you for attending.