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NiW Today n i w . n a t c a . n e t CHEAT SHEET MEETING PREP T H A N K the member of Congress or staffer for taking the time to meet with you. I N T RO D U C E YO U R S E L F • Who you are • Where you are from (note if you are a constituent) • Where you work • What you do (in layman's terms!) M E N T I O N VOT I N G R EC O R D Before each meeting, check the Voter Guide on page 34 to see how members voted on our issues. If they voted with us on any of our issues, thank them for their support. If they did not, be polite and thank them again for meeting with you. T H E AS K Begin your conversation by stating our ASK: "Please reach out (or have your boss reach out) to leadership and tell them that you support a solution to end sequestration before the impending September 30 deadline." E X P L A I N Elaborate how sequestration is devastating to the NAS. Be specific but don't provide excessive details. This could include: R E P E AT T H E AS K . "Please reach out (or have your boss reach out) to leadership and tell them that you support a solution to end sequestration before the impending September 30 deadline." T H A N K them for their time, and recommend a tour of their closest ATC facility. FO L LO W U P with a thank you note and an offer to meet in their district. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Review the material in NiW Today. See page 46 or refer to the Congress In Your Pocket app to find out if your members of Congress sit on any commiees that affect NATCA. Know the name(s) of the staffer(s) with whom you will be meeting. TAKE OTHERS WITH YOU. Two people per meeting is ideal; bring no more than four, if possible. • Choose a lead for the meeting. • Designate someone to take notes. UNDERSTAND YOUR ASK. Review NiW Today and the leave-behinds to understand the issues at hand. BE PREPARED, FRIENDLY, AND ON TIME. CREATE A MEETING AGENDA. Refer to the CHEAT SHEET guide to create an agenda ahead of time. PRACTICE. • After you create an agenda, each person with a speaking role should practice it with another person. • Be brief, clear, and to the point — and don't be afraid to show your passion. • Practice potential rebuals for members or staffers who may challenge our position. CONGRESSIONAL MEETING TIPS • Furloughs • Flight delays • Threatened tower closures • Maintenence delays • Hiring freeze 14

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