Act! for America - Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHY DO ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEN FAIL TO SHOW UP?
Elected officials often have many meetings on their schedules at the same time. For example, a Member of Congress may schedule a constituent meeting and then, a day before the meeting, receive a notice of a Committee hearing or floor vote. Further, leadership meetings are scheduled subject to the call of the Majority/Minority Leaders at any time. It is also important to keep in mind that you are not the only constituent who wants the Member’s ear. There are hundreds of constituents and associations competing for a Member’s time every week. Lastly, these Members do have a personal/family life, just like us. Emergencies do occur. Don’t be discouraged, communication with the Member’s office is important.

2. WHY BOTHER TO MEET WITH A STAFFER IF THE ELECTED OFFICIAL CAN’T MEET?
Aides to elected officials are their “eyes and ears,” and many times they are the experts on certain issues. Elected officials cannot possibly know everything there is to know about every issue. They rely on their staff to keep them informed and educated on a wide range of issues. It is of upmost importance to get to know the staff of an elected official. Building a good relationship with staff leads to a good relationship with the elected official. Staffers remember you as experts on particular issues and often call upon you to make comments and recommendations on legislative/policy matters.

3. IF THE ELECTED OFFICIAL CAN’T MAKE THE MEETING, SHOULD I RESCHEDULE WITH HIM/HER?
If the elected official is unable to attend your scheduled meeting, ask to see the staffer who works on the particular issue, present your concerns to him/her and leave him/her any information you may have brought. Ask the staffer if it would be possible to reschedule the meeting with the elected official for another time.

4. HOW DO I GET THE ELECTED OFFICIAL TO FOCUS ON OUR ISSUES IF HE IS TALKING ABOUT OTHER THINGS?
A good way to bring the conversation back to your agenda is to tell the elected official that what he/she is talking about is important, however politely remind him/her that you know his/her time is limited and that you are there to discuss an issue that is just as important to the community. Keep bringing the conversation back to your “important issue(s).”

5. ARE LETTERS AND E-MAILS EVEN READ BY ELECTED OFFICIALS?
Generally elected officials, such as Members of Congress, do not read every letter or e-mail that comes into the office. Sometimes a staffer will bring compelling correspondence to the Member’s attention. Aides to the Members are responsible for reading and responding to written or electronic correspondence which come into the office. However, most Members of Congress have staff meetings where aides let the Member know who has been writing in on particular issues and how many letters the Member has received on an issue. Comments and sentiments from constituent letters and e-mails are a definite factor in determining a Member’s stand on an issue.

6. SHOULD YOU EVEN BOTHER TO SEND IN MASS-GENERATED LETTERS ON AN ISSUE?
As with grassroots lobbying overall, there is power in numbers. For example, it is well noted in a Congressional office when a lot of mail on one issue is received. Receptionists do not like opening mail for hours and the word spreads fast around the office on what the letters are about. Often offices keep a tally on pro and con letters/e-mails. Again, this kind of communication is a factor in how the Member will vote on an issue.

7. WHAT IF YOU DO NOT EVER HEAR BACK FROM YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL AFTER YOU WRITE?
It can take a week to a month to hear back from an elected official’s office on an issue of concern to you. Often you will already know what the elected official’s vote on the issue is before you receive an official response. If you have not heard back from the elected official’s office in a reasonable amount of time (a month) – give the office a call and let them know that you called or wrote in and haven’t received a response yet. Many times the aides are swamped with work. Elected officials do realize how important it is to respond to constituent comments and requests. Many offices have strict rules on the time in which a letter can go without a response.

8. IS IT OK TO SEND LETTERS TO ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO DO NOT REPRESENT YOUR COMMUNITY/DISTRICT/STATE?
Do NOT write letters to elected officials who do not represent you. In the U.S. Congress for example, the letters will be referred to your proper member of Congress, with a note that says “Respectfully referred, not acknowledged” or simply be thrown away. If you want to get a message to a Member who is not in your delegation or a Member of the House or Senate leadership, for example, you can contact your Member and ask him/her to talk to his/her colleague about your concerns. Otherwise, it is a waste of your time.

9. WHY DOES MY ELECTED OFFICIAL’S OFFICE ASK FOR MY ADDRESS WHEN I CALL IN A COMMENT? I DON’T WANT TO BE SENT JUNK MAIL!
Giving your address to an elected official’s office after you have called in comments or a request is important for two reasons. First, it allows the office to document your concerns as a constituent. You want to be on the record. Second, it allows the office to send you a response. You want to know the elected official’s position and have it in writing. Most offices will not use your name for “junk mail” purposes. Anything that is mailed from the office is paid out of a budget which is limited. You may, however, receive a Newsletter from a Member of Congress or an update on a particular legislative issue if you have written or called about it frequently.

10. WILL MY COMMUNICATION WITH MY ELECTED OFFICIAL MATTER IN THE LONG RUN?
Any communication with your elected officials matters! Elected officials such as Members of Congress rely on constituents to educate them on issues – otherwise they have no way of knowing how legislation may affect an industry, individual businesses, or the community in general.

11. WHERE DO I GET INFORMATION/STATISTICS ON AN ISSUE TO GIVE TO MY ELECTED OFFICIAL?
You can refer to the ACT! for America website and e-mails, as well as recommended sources, for much information on radical Islam. Also, reach out to your Chapter Leaders for information on the overall issue, and particular help that we need at the local, state, and Federal levels.

12. WHY IS IT THAT SOMETIMES MY ELECTED OFFICIAL CAN’T MEET WITH ME UNTIL A MONTH AFTER I ASK FOR A MEETING? I’M HIS/HER CONSTITUENT – I VOTE FOR HIM/HER. DOESN’T THAT MEAN ANYTHING?
Elected officials, such as Members of Congress, are asked to meet with individual constituents, lobbyists, and government/administration officials every day. When Congress/the State legislature is in session, it can be extremely difficult to get an appointment. It is important to be flexible and plan ahead if you wish to meet with a Member of Congress.

13. ONE TIME I HAD TO MEET WITH AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE HALLWAY – HOW RUDE. WHO CONDUCTS BUSINESS IN A HALLWAY?
An elected official’s schedule is always subject to change due to occurrences such as a vote on the floor of the House or Senate, Committee hearings, and/or leadership meetings. If a conflict does arise, many times an elected official will ask you to “walk and talk” or meet them outside of a meeting with a staffer. It is important to remember that this is how business is often done – especially on Capitol Hill. Any face time with an elected official is important. Be flexible.

14. WHY DO ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE OTHER PEOPLE (STAFFERS) SIT IN ON OUR MEETING?
Staff members and aides to elected officials are usually the experts on certain issues. Elected officials rely upon the staffers to research comments and request made in a meeting. Elected officials often ask their staff how to vote on issues.

15. HOW DO WE KNOW THE ELECTED OFFICIAL WILL DO (OR FOLLOW UP ON) WHAT THEY SAY THEY’LL DO?
After you have had a meeting with an elected official, follow-up with the staff member who sat in on the meeting (and there will most always be a staffer present, especially with members of the state and federal legislature). Make clear to the staffer what you are requesting and tell him/her that you would like to know where the elected official stands on the issue discussed.

16. WHY DOES IT TAKE MEMBERS SO LONG TO RESPOND TO LETTERS, E-MAILS, OR PHONE CALLS?
In offices of elected officials -- especially those of state and federal legislatures -- issues and agendas are in a constant state of flux. As a result, it can sometimes take a while to get a response from an office. This is especially true if the issue of concern is under consideration at the exact time that you write or call – or, conversely, if the issue is not expected to receive committee or floor consideration any time soon.

17. IF I KNOW THE ELECTED OFFICIAL NEVER VOTES OUR WAY, WHY EVEN BOTHER TO GO SEE HIM/HER OR WRITE/CONTACT HIM/HER?
Communication is key to a relationship. There is generally one issue out there that can serve as a point of agreement between you and an elected official. Keeping the line of communication open can help you out when that one issue does come up. Furthermore, if you listen to an opponent’s side of an issue, you are better able to develop your own arguments in support of your position.