Capitol Hill 101 2015 Tree Farm Fly-in Washington, D.C

Capitol Hill 101

2015 Tree Farm Fly-inWashington, D.C.

Why is it Important to Be Successful on Capitol Hill?

What Does Success on Capitol Hill Look like?

• Create and Foster Relationships

• Be a Go-to resource for members and staff

• Pass Legislation• Defeat Legislation• Show Support for

Family Forests

Typical Concerns

• My issues aren’t important.• I’m not an expert.• I don’t donate to campaigns.• I’ll say the wrong things.• I don’t really know what’s going on.

They Want to Hear From You!

• Family• Friends• Money• Media• Coalitions

But 90% Rate you as #1

What makes a good advocate?

Relationships…Relationships…Relationships

10 Tips for Effective Meetings

1. Make An Appointment

2. Staff are ESSENTIAL

• Expect Youth• They are Gatekeepers

and Experts• They help provide

members with information to make decisions

3. Do Your Homework.

• What are the Members priorities?• Positions in the past?• Other forest groups?• Election?

• Review your Target Member of Congress Plans in your packet.

4. Avoid Information Overload

5. You Don’t Have All the Answers

And that’s ok…• If you don’t know

something its ok to admit and you can always provide staffers or members with information by email after the meetings

6. Tell Your Story

• Family Forest Owners may be a Mystery to Them

• Make it Passionate and Personal

• Relate to community and jobs

• Facts and Figures

7. Have an “Ask”

What do you want the Member to do for you?

Support the programs that help keep our forests Healthy, productive, and in the hands of those

who care for them

8. Be flexible

• Members and staffers are often pressed for time.

• Meetings may take place in the Hallway

9. Thank Them

• Give them credit• Publicity• Use the Media

10. Connect Back Home

Back In the “REAL” World…

• Attend an event• Host a roundtable• Invite them to Your Tree

Farm• Recruit Others– Strength in Relationships – And Strength in

Numbers

Recap

1. Make an appointment.2. Respect staff.3. Do your homework.4. Avoid information

overload.5. It’s OK to not have all

the answers.

6. Tell your story.7. Have an “Ask.”8. Be flexible—expect the

Hallway.9. Remember to say

“Thank You.”10. Connect back home…