Lobby Day 2008: Getting Started
"Who can I ask about ...?"
We know you have questions about what to expect and how to prepare for Lobby Day. We'll hopefully answer most of them in these materials. Please call or email your Bread for the World Organizers with any additional questions you have.
"Who schedules my lobby visit?"
This is an important question.
House: You must make your own appointment with your representative unless one is already scheduled. Download an Excel spreadsheet to see the list of already scheduled visits 
. Find out who our representative is. Scheduling an appointment is quite simple. Phone the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your representative's office. Identify yourself as a constituent, then explain you wish to meet with your representative on Tuesday, June 17. Do your best to make the appointment between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. They will likely ask what you wish to discuss with the representative.
Tell them you will be in Washington for Bread for the World's Lobby Day. Explain that you want to discuss support for more and better poverty-focused development assistance as well as passage of the Global Poverty Act. Your representative may not be able to meet with you. Don't be concerned. Schedule your meeting with the aide for Foreign Affairs or Appropriations. Meeting with a key congressional aide makes for an effective lobby visit. Call to make your appointment as soon as possible. In fact, do it today!
When your appointment has been scheduled, please let us know in our online form.
Senate: Your Bread Organizers will arrange for one person from each state to make the appointments with your senators. The goal is to fit the Senate meetings between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. We will tell you the precise time of your Senate meetings and where your senators' offices are located on Lobby Day morning.
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After You've Make Your Appointment . . .
Each registered Lobby Day Participant will receive an email confirmation that provides a link for you to enter in your lobby visit information including, the name of the representative, the time of the meeting, the location of the meeting and the person with whom you will meet. Please use that link to report this vital information.
It's very important that we have a list of the appointments!
If you have questions, please call or email your Regional Organizers. |
"How should I prepare?"
If you want to learn more about these issues, read about the Global Poverty Act and how Poverty-Focused Development Assistance in Well Spent. 
"What should I wear?"
Dress comfortably. Some men prefer a tie and jacket. Slacks and a casual shirt are also fine. Women often wear dresses or casual skirt or pants outfits. For both men and women, avoid shorts, blue jeans and T-shirts, but do wear comfortable shoes (the marble halls of Congress are notoriously hard on high heels). Remember, it can be quite hot and humid in Washington during the month of June. Think "light" clothing, and plan to bring an umbrella because summer showers are not unusual in the nation's capital. We also recommend bringing a bottle of water with you.
"I'm not sure I feel confident about lobbying ..."
Meeting your member of Congress, especially if you haven't lobbied before, can seem intimidating. Do you know the issue well enough? What if he or she asks a question you can't answer? Most people share these feelings. Be assured that we will give you the basics you need to make your congressional visit meaningful and enjoyable. Our June 17 morning briefing will give you thorough updates on the 2008 campaign. You will have time to ask questions, see a role play of visiting your member of Congress, and will meet with your Bread Organizers to go over final details. If you are alone for a visit and prefer not to lobby by yourself, let us know ahead of time so we can try to arrange to have someone accompany you.
Background reading: Before coming, please read carefully the information we've provided on the 2008 Offering of Letters campaign on our Web site, which will be useful to you in preparing for Lobby Day. This includes information on the campaign and updates on its legislative progress.
Remember, you don't have to be an expert on an issue in order to lobby. You are a citizen raising a matter of serious concern to you with your elected officials. If they request information you can't provide on the spot, simply tell them you'll get back to them shortly. Bread for the World staff will assist you.
"How do I get to the legislative briefing and Capitol Hill?"
The legislative briefing will take place at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, which is a brief walk to the Senate and House office buildings. Participants from the Hunger Justice Leaders Gathering will be transported by bus from Catholic University to the briefing site. If you are coming just for Lobby Day, please see the transportation page for information on parking or public transportation near the church in Capitol Hill. Download a map of Capitol Hill.
"What can I do with my luggage while I'm lobbying?"
Almost all Hunger Justice Leaders will be staying at Catholic University overnight on Tuesday following Lobby Day and won't need to worry about this. However, if you plan to leave for home sometime on Tuesday, we will have space available at Church of the Reformation for luggage and bags. Someone will monitor and help you with your luggage until the end of the Lobby Day activities.
"What about building security? Are there any items I can't bring to Lobby Day?"
Absolutely! Like air travel these days, leave your tweezers, nail clippers, pocketknives, and any other typically prohibited items at home. Security is very strict on Capitol Hill, so bring nothing with you that would cause you to have difficulty entering congressional buildings.
"Is there anything I should bring?"
Definitely bring a picture I.D. Your driver's license or any other legal identification will serve you well. You will probably not be asked to produce an I.D. to enter the buildings, but it is best to have something like this on hand.
