contacting goverment representatives

DanielG - 2013-01-18 1:06 PM

cgregg - 2013-01-18 2:04 PM Have you tried including a little white talc powder in the envelope with your letters?

In a jeweler's ring ziplock? That'll get someone attention for sure

I have those ziplock because of the tri pendants.  I laughed at the first one and again at the ziplock.  I hope they don't check our posts....

I must have been lucky, I contacted Russ Feingold from Wisconsin in 2006 or so via a letter.  I actually got a phone call from him, and we talked for about 15 minutes about some concerns that I had.

I would deffinetly go for a letter vs email when contacting them, I can't imagine how many emails they get in a day.

In that case, you don't have to track them down, they will find YOU.  saves some effort.

I would think writing them on $100 bills would be the most effective.

Or, put your questions/comments on the back of escort's business cards.

Got any we can use?  Maybe use Vista Print to get free ones made up and put them in an envelope.

I've worked with 3 home state staffers and they've always responded better, are more informed, and seem to have a lot more time to meet.

If you send a birth announcement to the White House, you get a note back from "the President".

When my son was born, we took his birth announcement picture with him sitting in my Marine Corps Kevlar Helmet. We got a personal note from the White House and it was signed (by a machine most likely) by George W Bush. It looks like a real signature, but the note is very personalized.

Couple of things to try from my experience. 

Call or email your State Representative or State Senator. They will/should personally respond and if they probably personally know your US Rep or at least the staff member to talk to. And maybe there is a State grant available that would be a heck of a lot easier to get.

Show up to you US Rep town meeting and introduce yourself and your organization. Your Rep will tell you who to contact because it is their job and then you can say "Congressman XXXX asked me to call".

Call and ask to meet with your town councilor, most of them love trails and these types of projects (especially when it is not paid for by property taxes) and will certainly know who to talk to to get money. 

I have been out of town when they have had town meetings, but I am working on other ways to contact.

Our group works closely with our city council, administrator and mayor.  We are a small town and we know each other.

On a serious note, I've gotten response when I contacted them as a business owner. The other way to get them is to buttonhole them at a meeting. My representatives are always putting on 'doing business in Philly' open seminars, and if you can't talk to them there they usually have someone who can take your name and follow up.

Make it clear you represent some of their constituency. What gets their attention is either money or votes (or money for votes!).

TRy their facebook page - this is public and gets attention.  I've done it with airlines where the customer service gives me nothing I post my complaint on their facebook page - make sure it's public and they soon pay attention.