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Hill Basics: Do ’ s and Don ’ ts. Caroline Brouwer cbrouwer@refugeassociation.org 202-420-9625. At your meeting. Bring: Business cards Packets of information on programs/asks Any swag from your refuge that you have with you Wear: A suit/dress/ ” church ” clothes
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Hill Basics: Do’s and Don’ts Caroline Brouwer cbrouwer@refugeassociation.org 202-420-9625
At your meeting • Bring: • Business cards • Packets of information on programs/asks • Any swag from your refuge that you have with you • Wear: • A suit/dress/”church” clothes • If you are a rancher, etc, you can get away with cowboy boots and a hat. Otherwise, play it safe!
Meeting Basics • Arrive 5 minutes early • Remember you must go through security, which can take anywhere from 1 minute to 20 minutes • Make sure all attendees are present • Tell the staffer at the front desk who you are and who you are seeing- they might ask for a business card
At The Meeting • Make sure you talk about your refuge, and why you volunteer there • Ask about their experiences with the refuge—are they from the area, have they been to the refuge, do they hunt/fish/birdwatch, etc? • Make it personal! • Then, get down to business
Your Ask • Operations and Maintenance Funding for the Refuge System—$508.2 million • LWCF—full funding at $900 million and permanent reauthorization • If you know details about specific land projects at your refuge, definitely bring this up • Other topics as time allows and your interests dictate • Examples: Arctic wilderness, road through Izembek NWR, NAWCA grants, etc.
Meeting Etiquette • DO NOT forget to call the office or email the staffer if you are going to be late • DO research on the Member prior to the meeting so you are aware of their interests/disinterests. Examples? • DO NOT use your cell phone during a meeting • DO be aware that staffers’ interest levels vary—not all meetings will go as well as others • DO be friendly and engage the staffer in conversation
Tricks of the Trade • Tunnels • There are tunnels between all the buildings. If you are headed from the Senate side to the House side (or vice versa), ask if you can get a ride on the train under the capitol • Tunnels between House/Senate buildings can be tricky, but are mostly found on the “Basement” level. ASK if you need help finding a tunnel entrance. • Security lines are longer first thing in the morning or after lunch. Build extra time in at these times • Take pictures!