Visiting Your Congressman

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The following is a presentation prepared for
NASFAAs 2007 Conference in Washington, DCJuly
8-11, 2007
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Visiting Your Legislator

• Presented by
• Myron Mick Hanson, University of Montana
• Joan Zanders, Northeast Community College - NE

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Thank you to NASFAA for providing a portion of
this presentation from information presented at
the NASFAA Leadership Conference.
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Legislative advocacy is an attempt to secure,
modify, or stop passage of a piece of legislation.
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As financial aid administrators, we owe it to our
students and our profession to communicate our
ideas and concerns to policymakers at all levels.

• Institutional administrators
• Professional association leaders
• State decision-makers and legislators
• Department of Education personnel and other
  federal decision-makers
• Federal legislators

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Legislative advocacy can be

• In written form,
• A phone call, or
• A person-to-person meeting.

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Be informed! Prepare!

• Read NASFAAs Todays News utilize resources on
  NASFAAs web site.
• Read Notices of Proposed Rulemaking.
• --Copy NPRMs to your word processor cut
  paste sections to use in response.
• Call NASFAA staff or email AskRegs_at_NASFAA.org for
  assistance.
• Talk with your peers for perspective.
• Know your institutions position.
• Copy correspondence/handouts to NASFAA staff so
  they know your views.

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U.S. House of Representatives
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United States Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
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In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, legislative
information from the Library of
Congresswww.thomas.gov  Legislation in
Current Congress  Search Bill Text
Word/Phrase Bill Number Browse Bills by
SponsorFind More LegislationLocate your
legislators contact information (or call the
Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121). A wealth
of information!
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Were in Washington, D.C.! Visit your
legislators! Establish a relationship with those
who represent you and your students.
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• Legislative visits can be frightening the first
  time
• rather like students/parents on their first
  visits to your office??
• Remember
• YOU are the expert on financial aid!!

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You have a great opportunity!

• Legislators and their staffs want to be informed.
• Legislators want to serve their constituentsYOU
  and your students!
• Legislators want to help.

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Dont be disappointed if your appointment is with
a staffer instead of the legislator.
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For successful visits, follow basic courtesies!

• Prepare Know your legislators record and
  position on issues.
• Make an appointment be on time.
• Allow 30 minutes per appointment and 30 minutes
  between appointments.
• Take a photo I.D.
• Prepare a school fact sheet to leave.
• Get to the point quickly!
• Give your qualifications to speak on the subject.

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You will often be speaking for many.

• Know the basic position of your constituentsand
  your students!
• Have a clear picture of your purpose/position.
• Prepare a handout with 3-5 key discussion points.
• Practice what you will say.

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• Explain clearly, be succinct, avoid financial
  aid speak!
• Bring supporting materials, if needed.
• Provide factual responses, or offer to follow up
  with the answers.
• Stick to your issues.
• Leave your business card with any other materials.

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Relationship Building

• Provide a consistent message.
• Be prepared to answer why.
• If you have built trust, they will ask.
• Be positive in your response.
• Relate information to your school.
• Provide the number of recipients affected,
• The total dollar amount of benefits, and
• The relationship to other proposals.

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Example Advocating for Perkins/FSEOG

• Provide 3 years of statistics
• The number of students assisted,
• The total dollars awarded, and
• The average award per student.
• Discuss your states contribution and the lack of
  incentive for continued state funding if no
  federal SEOG is provided.
• Write a very short narrative indicating how these
  dollars can be pinpointed to the very needy.
  Even a 6000 Pell would not equal this package.

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After your visit

• Promptly send a thank-you letter when you get
  home.
• Use official letterhead reinforce your
  competency by using your title.
• Reiterate your main points.
• Answer any remaining questions.
• Invite the Congressional member to visit your
  institution!!

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Remember.

• Personal visits are the most effective way to
  express your views.
• Visit legislative offices while in D.C. and
  within your district.
• Repeated contacts could make you a valuable
  resource for your legislator.

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If you dont speak for your students and your
profession, who will??!
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Talking Points
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(No Transcript)