Participant Guide
Once you've signed up to join a meeting, there are a few things for you to know to make sure your meeting is a success.
Below is the guide we've developed for you. It's a calender for how the next month and a half is going to go, and includes everything you need to do before, during, and after the meeing to ensure you're as prepared and effective as possible. As always, if you have any questions, shoot us an email and we'll get back to you!
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Before the Meeting: There are a few important dates to remember and a little background info for you to read. Here are the specifics:
- February 26-March 13, 2009: Registration
- We're accepting registrations during this time; once you've signed up, convince your friends and family to join your meeting.
- March 20, 2009: Meeting Requests Submitted
- This is our deadline for submitting all meeting requests to Congressional offices. If you signed up to just join a meeting, sit tight. If you signed up to lead a meeting, then we'll be in touch with you to discuss the details of how to set it up.
- March 23-April 3, 2009: Setting up Meetings
- This is when we'll be working with Congressional offices to find a date and time for the meetings. You can expect to hear from us sometime during these two weeks, letting you know when your meeting is, or inquiring to find a time that works.
- April 3, 2009: Policy Agenda sent
- By this Friday, we'll be sure to have sent you all the documents that you're going bring to the meeting.
- Before the meeting readings:
- During
the month leading up to your meeting, the most important things for you
to do are spread the word about your efforts and familiarize yourself
with some of the conflict specifics. To do these things, click the three links here:
- Download our "Tips for Getting Media Coverage" and pick something off the list to spread the word about the war and what you're doing to help end it.
- Read the recent memo we wrote to our supporters that outlines what we're advocating for and why.
- Go to our Congressional Scorecards and see what your Member of Congress has done on this issue in the past.
- During
the month leading up to your meeting, the most important things for you
to do are spread the word about your efforts and familiarize yourself
with some of the conflict specifics. To do these things, click the three links here:
At the Meeting: There are a few things you'll need to review and bring with you to your meeting to make sure it's a success.
- April 6-17, 2009: Spring Congressional Recess
- One of the days in this two-week time period are when you can expect your meeting to happen
- What to Bring With You:
- Scorecard: Go to our Congressional Scorecards page and print out the scorecard for your state. Discuss your Member of Congress' grade in your meeting as an incentive for them to do more.
- Policy Asks: We'll send you a document that outlines, specifically, what we're advocating for and why that you can leave behind with the person you meet with.
- Talking Points: We'll also send you a "Talking Points" outline that will help you remember the key points and messages to get across.
After the Meeting: Following up is one of the most important parts of these meetings, as it sends the message that you're still watching to see if they're doing what you requested.
- Contact Information: Get the contact information of the person you met with so that you can follow up.
- Phone Call: We'll ask you to make one more phone call to the office you met with to find out whether or not they have done what you asked (remember, YOU are THEIR bosses, because they rely on the vote of you or your family or your friends to stay in office!).
- Follow Up Report: It would be great if at least one person in the group could write up a quick report on how they thought the meeting went and what happened, and email it to alison@resolveuganda.org along with any photos that are taken. We'll post them on the website!