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1. Introduce yourself and say what issues and legislation you want to discuss.

2. Ask his or her position. Is s/he a co-sponsor? How will s/he vote?

3. Ask for a specific commitment or action. No matter how unsupportive your legislator is, there is always a next step. If your member is generally unresponsive, ask him or her to do a simple action, such as signing a letter on human rights (be sure to provide the office with draft text). If your member is responsive, then ask for more, such as sponsorship of a "Dear Colleague" letter or a free standing bill.

4. Remember that you might be talking about a bill with which the legislator is unfamiliar. Be prepared to explain the bill briefly and ask if s/he wants more information.

5. Is the office hearing from opponents? If so, what are their arguments and what groups are involved?

6. Do party leaders have positions on the bill? What is their influence likely to be? Has the congressional office heard any message from the Administration on the bill?

7. Does the member know any other key representatives or senators who should be contacted to get favorable action on the bill? Is s/he willing to facilitate contact?

8. Be sure to take notes during the meeting and keep these written records. What did you request? What was the response? What is the congressperson’s position and why? What was promised? What are the member’s chief areas of interest?

Follow-up after the meeting:

1. If your member of Congress agrees with you, send a thank you note after the meeting. Be sure to include a review of your main points, and if commitments were made during the meeting, repeat your understanding of them. Always take the opportunity to include any new printed material on Guatemala you think relevant. Continue to send pertinent and credible materials on the topic. Even if the congressperson agrees with you now, s/he may change his/her mind under pressure. If you keep your arguments at the forefront, however, your congressperson will be less likely to change position later.

2. If your member of Congress does not agree with your position, then arrange to take other constituents to meet with him/her. In follow-up meetings, always reiterate that you are asking your representative to take your opinions, as constituents, into account. Remind your congressperson that the issue you are there to talk about is important to you, and more importantly, to your vote.

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