Making a Successful Hill Visit

Sheila Forsyth
APA's Public Policy Office

Here are some tips for making your hill visit successful. Remember that most hill visits are brief (15-20 minutes) and often with staffers, who are responsible for the issue.

• Be Prepared - Review and rehearse the key points you want to make [Visit PPO-ED website for Talking Point on the Federal Work Study Program].

• Be on Time - But don't be surprised if they're not. Congressional schedules are hectic. You need to be flexible and patient.

• Be Political - Introduce yourself, noting where you live and/or go to school (i.e., confirming that you are a constituent) and establishing a connection to the issue you'd like to discuss (e.g., graduate student services to community through FWSP).

• Be Concise - Hill visits are very brief (15-20 minutes). Plan on making no more than 3 key points, using personal and local examples to emphasize the need for the Senator/Representative's support:
  1. What's the issue (purpose of visit)?
  2. What's the impact/importance (local/state/nation)?
  3. What you'd like the Senator/Representative to do?

• Be Curious - Don't be afraid to ask how the Senator/Representative stands on the issue; and be tolerant of differing views, keeping dialogue open.

• Be Responsive - Try to answer any questions asked, but if you can't, let them know you'll get back to them with the information.

• Be Appreciative - Thank the Senator/Representative (Staffer) for his/her time.

• Be Smart- Always send a follow-up “thank you” letter, reiterating the points made during the meeting [See Sample FWSP Thank You Letter on PPO-ED website].

(This article is reprinted from the Spring 2000 edition of the APAGS Newsletter.)