Put Advocacy into Action

Below, we have outlined five easy steps to follow to have a successful meeting or town hall visit with your Members of Congress during the 2010 August recess.  The August work period will run from Monday, August 2- Friday, September 10 for the House of Representatives and Monday, August 9 -Friday, September 10 for the Senate.  

 

1.  Locate the Congressional Office(s) Near You:   To locate district offices and contact information for your Members of Congress, please click here and enter your ZIP Code. 

2. Schedule a Meeting:   Once you have located an office near you, call the office and ask for a meeting with your Member of Congress.  Keep in mind, that if your Member is not available to see you, a meeting with a staff person can be just as useful. 

 

Suggested language to set up a meeting: 

 

"I am a constituent and an advocate with the Parkinson's community.  I would like to schedule a time to discuss issues important to the Parkinson's disease community during the district work period.  Specifically, I would like to discuss two issues:  the Representative's/Senator's support of the National MS and Parkinson's Disease Registries Act, and funding for Parkinson's research at the Department of Defense."

 

3. Before the Meeting:   Before the meeting, take a few minutes to prepare.  You will likely have about 20 minutes or less with a staff person, and as little as 10 minutes with your elected official so a little preparation beforehand can help you have a smooth meeting.

 

4. During the Meeting:  During a meeting with your Member or their staff, it is important to tell your personal story and to educate your Member on how Parkinson's disease affects your life, family, and community. In addition, ask that he/she:
 

5. After the Meeting:  Please send a thank-you note or e-mail.  Take this opportunity to thank them for their time and to follow-up on any issues they agreed to act.

Also, please tell PAN about your meeting.   The more information we have about your advocacy efforts, the better able we are to do our jobs!  E-mail PAN at:  info@parkinsonsaction.org.  You may also call PAN at 800-850-4726.

In your e-mail, answer the following questions:

1.  Locate the Congressional Office(s) Near You:  To locate district offices and contact information for your Members of Congress, please click here and enter your ZIP Code. 

2. Finding a Town Hall:  Once you have located an office near you, call the office and ask if your Member of Congress is hosting a town hall meeting near you.

Suggested language to ask about town hall meetings:

"I am a constituent and an advocate with the Parkinson's community.  Is the Senator or Representative scheduled to have any town hall meetings during the August recess that I might attend near my home?"

3. Before the Town Hall:  Town hall meetings are great opportunities to learn about what your elected officials are working on in Washington and to ask a brief question.  Before the town hall, take a few minutes to prepare your question. You most likely will only have time for one question, so choose the topic that you are most comfortable. 

4. During the Town Hall:  During a town hall meeting, you only have a few moments to introduce yourself and to ask brief question.  If asking a question, please introduce yourself as a constituent and a member of the Parkinson's disease community and ask that he/she:

5. After the Town Hall:  Please follow-up on your question by sending an e-mail or thank-you note to your Member of Congress or their staff. 

Also, please tell PAN about your experience.   The more information we have about your advocacy efforts, the better able we are to do our jobs!  E-mail PAN at:  info@parkinsonsaction.org.  You may also call PAN at 800-850-4726.

In your e-mail, answer the following questions: