MEETINGS
18
NiW Today NATCA in Washington 2026
Congressional Meeting Tips
DO:
Know.your.member.of.Congress..Learn.the.member's.political.party,.district,.
voting.record,.committee.assignments,.nearby.facilities,.and.where.their.
subject.matter.specialties.lie.
Be.on.time..It's.generally.good.to.arrive.5-10.minutes.in.advance.
Keep.your.presentation.simple.and.lead.with.the.most.important.points..Plan.
to.have.15-20.minutes.with.the.member.but.be.prepared.with.a.short,.five-
minute."elevator.speech".in.case.the.meeting.gets.cut.short..Be.prepared.with.
facts,.figures,.legislative.history,.and.backup.materials.in.case.you.need.them..
Make.your.arguments.and,.when.possible,.relate.to.situations.in.their.home.
state.or.district.
If.asked.a.question.you.don't.know.the.answer.to,.it's.completely.acceptable.to.
admit.you.don't.know..Offer.to.try.to.find.out.the.answer.and.send.information.
back.to.the.office.
If.you.are.attending.the.meeting.with.others,.make.sure.everyone.in.your.group.
is.prepared.ahead.of.the.meeting.and.understands.the.ground.rules..Choose.a.
spokesperson.who.is.in.charge.of.the.discussion.and.divide.talking.points.among.
the.group..Everyone.should.contribute.to.the.discussion.
Stop.periodically.to.ask.whether.there.are.any.questions..This.should.be.a.
conversation.that.will.be.part.of.an.ongoing.relationship.with.the.office.
Thank.members.for.positions.they.have.taken.that.align.with.the.issues.NATCA.
supports..If.you.are.meeting.with.a.member.whose.position.does.not.align.with.
NATCA's,.view.this.as.an.opportunity.to.educate.the.member.of.Congress.and.
their.staff.on.the.issue,.provide.local.impact.and.information,.and.perhaps.
change.their.position.
Dress.comfortably,.but.professionally..You.may.have.to.do.a.lot.of.walking..
Remember.you.are.representing.NATCA.and.dress.accordingly.
