Step One: Pick a Date for Your Event
Choose a date for your event or meeting when your representative will be in-district. If you can be flexible on the date, there’s a greater chance your member of Congress will attend. Upcoming recesses for representatives, when they are home in their districts, are:
- February 19-23, 2018**
- March 26-April 6, 2018**
** The Senate is also in recess during all or most of these periods if you’d like to invite or meet with your senator(s).
To view the full calendars of 2018 recess and in-session dates, visit
this calendar for
representatives and
this calendar for
senators.National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, from October 21-27, 2018, is also a good time to contact your member of Congress, even if they're in session.
Frequently asked questions:- How much time should I allow for a meeting or event?
Meetings typically run for up to 30 minutes. - How far should I schedule a meeting or event in advance?
It’s a good idea to reach out to schedule in-district meetings or events at least two weeks in advance. - If I know I will be in DC during session, should I schedule a meeting there?
Yes, you can arrange meetings in the district as well. However, schedules in DC are more liable to change, especially during session. If you are in town, feel free to reach out to us to plan a joint meeting! - Should I invite my senator or representative?
Choose whom to contact based on the following factors: any previous relationship with the member, if the member has a position on a relevant committee, and whether they have shown personal interest in your issue. Representatives are more likely to be able to attend an event.
Step Two: Invite Your Member of Congress
How to contact your member:
- Click here to find your representative; click here to find your senators.
- Follow the links to his or her website.
- Members may have a meeting request form or publicly list their scheduler’s email. Look for pages called:
Meeting request/schedule a meeting
Event request
Contact me - Use our sample letters to write your messages:
Click here for a sample letter inviting your member of Congress to an event or to visit your site.
Click here for a sample letter requesting a meeting with your member of Congress locally at their district office. - Submit the meeting request or invitation AND follow up by phone…persistently.
Frequently asked questions:- To whom should I address my message?
Address event invitations and meeting requests to the member of Congress. - How should I follow up?
After the initial meeting request/invite, follow up by phone within the next few days to ensure receipt of message.
Step Three: Prepare
To prepare for your meeting:
- Review some talking points on healthy homes and lead poisoning and asthma.
- Use these state fact sheets on healthy homes.
- Note the House of Representatives has proposed to cut HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control by one third, and note that the Senate has proposed to cut the HOME program (which frequently funds home repairs) from $800 million to just $66 million; use the fact sheets above to explain why that’s a problem, and that the current budget caps are hurting housing and health.
To prepare for your meeting:
• Review some talking points on healthy homes and lead poisoning and asthma.
• Look at our hill interaction resources for ideas about engaging with members of Congress, hosting events, and sharing stories
Frequently asked questions:- What constitutes lobbying? Who can lobby?
Remember: Visiting with your member of Congress and educating them about your program is NOT lobbying if you do not mention specific legislation. Click here for more details on what does and does not constitute lobbying. Note that 501(c)3 organizations are permitted to lobby. - Whom should I bring to the meeting?
It’s best to bring both people who can talk about the technical aspects of your program or issue and people with a personal story to share. - How do I pick which topics to talk about?
Talk about the issues that are most pressing for you and your district. Keep the focus narrow and to the point: how these programs have tangible consequences for your organization or community.
Step Four: Attend the MeetingItems to bring to the meeting:
- State fact sheets on healthy homes
- Personalized handouts about your programs [TBD]
Frequently asked questions:- With whom can I expect to meet?
A meeting will likely be with the member’s staff. Remember, the staff person directly influences the policy position of their member. - What questions should I ask?
Ask about the member’s priorities in regards to healthy housing and your program; ask what further information you can provide. Feel free to offer to follow up with the correct information if you don’t know the answer to a question. - How do I balance discussing facts and sharing my personal story?
Opening with a story or testimony is a great way to begin a meeting before moving into discussion of the facts.
Step Five: Follow UpRemember to write or call the office and thank them for the meeting.
If you have pictures from an event, share them on social media and tag us or use #FindFixFund!
Frequently asked questions:
- How soon do I follow up?
Follow up within a day or two. - What do I say in a follow up message?
Thank the member or staff for the meeting, provide any further information about your issue, and encourage them to see you as a resource.
For more questions or to discuss your in-district meeting plans, contact Darcy Scott at
dscott@nchh.org or 202.669.7340.