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Planning Your Congressional Recess Meeting
Tips for Meeting with Your Members of Congress
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Questions for Town Hall Meetings
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 Tips for Meeting with Your Members of Congress 

  1. Consider Yourself an Information Source: Remember that you are the expert on the apartment industry, and that you should utilize this opportunity to educate your elected officials about the needs and concerns of the industry. Legislators want to know how a specific issue will affect their districts. Share personal or local experiences about the issues with your legislators. If you don’t know the answers to some of their questions – tell them so. Make notes and follow-up with the answers after the meetings.

  2. Try to Make Personal Connections: Make the legislators aware of any personal connections you have. No matter how insignificant you may feel it is, if you have friends, relatives or colleagues in common, let them know. Use personal examples from your own life or the lives of your neighbors.

  3. Be Organized and Be on Time: If you are part of a group meeting with an elected official, select a spokesperson to lead the discussion. Know the time frame you are under, and discuss only the key issues outlined. Determine who will speak on each issue.

  4. Be Concise: Legislators (and staff) have limited time and many demands. Be sure to stay on message with those three key issues of the apartment industry. You will be lucky to have a full 15 minutes to discuss them with the legislator or staff and it is critical that they understand the importance of them all. If you are going to arrive late, please call the office ahead of time.

  5. Be Courteous: Thank your senator and/or representative for all of the hard work he or she does to represent your state or district. Never confront, threaten or beg. Speak calmly so you do not put your representative on the defensive.

  6. Expect Surprises and Be Flexible: Legislators can have unpredictable schedules even when they are in their districts during the Congressional Recess. Don’t be disappointed if they have to cut your meetings short. Make the most of them by focusing on a few key issues and following up with detailed information in writing. Don’t be disappointed if you meet with a member of their staff.

  7. Anticipate Reactions and Stay on Message: After explaining your views, ask the legislators where they stand on the issue. Try to understand their perspective and tailor your approach accordingly. If they are undecided, focus on your message. Politely maintain your position, even if you know they don’t agree. If they change the subject to avoid getting pinned down on an issue, try to bridge the discussion back to your message.

  8. If You Can, Give Examples: A great way to advocate is to give an example of how your issue has affected and will affect you or your business.

  9. Follow Up: Send thank you notes reviewing the issues you discussed. Be sure to send legislators any additional materials requested, including answers to questions for which you didn’t have answers, during the meeting.