3. GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY WORKSHOP Josh Ruebner Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

4. OUTLINE 1)Introduction—Why Engage Members of Congress? 2)Communicating Effectively w/ Members of Congress 3)Meeting w/ Members of Congress 4)Crafting a Pro-Active Strategy

5. Introduction: Why Engage Members of Congress? 1)About the US Campaign and Congressional District Coordinator Network 2)Educate and mobilize people in order to change US policy toward Israel and Palestine 3)Success stories: Committee for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel, Oak Park, IL; Americans for a Just Peace in the Middle East, Santa Barbara, CA

6. COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

7. OTHER WAYS TO COMMUNICATE W/ CONGRESS 1)Snail-mail 2)Postcards 3) Money

8. EFFECTIVE LETTERS 1)Keep it short 2)Make your “ask” clear and up front 3)Include a sentence with a personal detail 4)Follow up

9. ARRANGING A MEETING 1)Fax a request to the scheduler 2)Assemble a delegation 3)State the issues 4)Give a time frame

10. BEFORE YOUR MEETING… 1)Practice 2)Collect materials 3) Make sure your clothes are ironed

11. AT YOUR MEETING… 1)Be on time 2)Introduce the delegation 3) Make your “asks” 4) Don’t badger 5) Focus on broader concens

12. AT YOUR MEETING… 6) Don’t make up numbers 7) Be disciplined 8) Be respectful 9) Be calm 10) Take notes & get contact info

13. AFTER YOUR MEETING… 1) Fill out on-line evaluation form 2) Send a thank you note 3) Provide requested follow-up info 4) Establish ongoing relationship

14. CRAFTING A PRO-ACTIVE STRATEGY 1) Invite Members & staff to local events 2) Send in local press clippings 3) Send in local op-eds, letters to editors 4) Sponsor a candidates forum

15. CRAFTING A PRO-ACTIVE STRATEGY 1) Join the US Campaign’s CDC Network 2) Participate in ‘Washington Wednesdays’ 3) Schedule a meeting w/ Members of Congress 4) Organize a group advocacy day in DC

16. RESOURCES US Campaign Congressional Report Card (www.endtheoccupation.org) Thomas (thomas.loc.gov) Capitol Advantage (www.congress.org) Center for Responsive Politics (www.opensecrets.org)

17. US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation 1101 Pennsylvania Ave. SE #204, Washington, DC 20003 phone: 202-543-1778 email: us_campaign@endtheoccupation.org website: http://www.endtheoccupation.org