“Congressional culture” is comprised of a mix of youthful staff, optimistic freshman members, cynical reporters, seasoned members, and crusty senators. This can often result in a clash of both the old and new.

photo credit: Mr. T in DC

In evaluating congressional culture, it is important to understand the working environment of Congress. That environment drives the work of Congress, and the work schedule can be harsh and brutal. The norm involves a 50 your work week. In the days leading up to a congressional recess, the work schedule can commonly increase to 60 or 70 hours per week. Even when Congress recesses and members return home to their districts, their days are often 10-hour work days filled with public events, constituent meetings, speeches and other types of district activities.

The environment for staffers is often extremely fast paced, but at the same time it can be quite mundane. Contrary to popular stereotype, offices on Capitol Hill are frequently cramped. In fact, quarters can be so cramped that work spaces are sometimes created in rooms that were once designed for storage purposes. Since 1979, the number of staff allotted to House members has not changed, even though the work load has increased dramatically.

In many ways, the House resembles a high school. The freshman legislators are all looking to make an impression while subcommittee chairmen seek out angles they can use to attain leadership levels. At the same time, senior members rule on the most crucial matters. Every member of the House is looking out for their own particular issue–one issue where they can become a subject matter expert, find an opportunity to introduce bills and become the source reporters look to about that issue.

The real work is often performed in congressional committees. This is where language and law are merged by elected officials. Three basic activities take place in committees; legislative hearings on bills, oversight of the executive branch, and the amending and voting on bills.

Developing an understanding of congressional culture can go a long way toward helping you better understand the ways in which Congress works and the best way to approach making changes for the improvement of Congress as a whole.

To learn more about the way Congress works, consider TheCapitol.Net’s 1/2 day course, Congress in a Nutshell, and the 3-day Capitol Hill Workshop.

Reference: Citizen’s Handbook, by Bradford Fitch, Chapter 2 Congressional Culture

Also see

• “What’s the deal with contacting my Representative or Senators?”
• Our FAQ: “How to Contact Congress”
• How do I get an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol?
• A Guide for Communicating with Congress

For more information about working with Congress, see these resources from TheCapitol.Net:

• Publications
  • Persuading Congress, by Joseph Gibson
  • Lobbying and Advocacy, by Deanna Gelak
  • Citizen’s Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials, by Bradford Fitch
  • Congressional Deskbook, by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider
• Live courses in Washington, DC:
  • Capitol Hill Workshop
  • Strategies for Working with Congress: Effective Communication and Advocacy on Capitol Hill
  • Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony
• Capitol Learning Audio Courses:
  • Effectively Using Persuasion in Your Oral Presentations: A Trial Lawyer’s Perspective
  • How to Work the Hill Like a Pro
  • Making the Most of a Site Visit with a Member of Congress
  • Strategies and Tactics That Will Help You Impact Congressional Action

Feeling shut out of the political process by lobbyists and special interests? Insider Bradford Fitch has some good news for you: As it turns out, you’re the one in charge—NOT those rich and powerful lobbyists.

photo credit: chesapeakeclimate

Brad Fitch’s latest book, Citizen’s Handbook To Influencing Elected Officials: Citizen Advocacy in State Legislatures and Congress: A Guide for Citizen Lobbyists and Grassroots Advocates, makes a compelling case for the power of the ordinary citizen to influence members of Congress—IF you understand how to do it right.

Fitch, who worked on Capitol Hill for 13 years as press secretary, legislative director, and chief of staff for four different members of Congress, interviewed dozens of Senators, members of the House of Representatives, and key staff to provide a comprehensive guide to getting members of Congress to listen—and act.

And according to these consummate Washington insiders, the real power in Washington is neither in huge campaign donations, nor in high-pressure special interest campaigns. Rather, the power rests with the well-informed, well-prepared, polite but persuasive constituent. Yes, ordinary citizens can gain access, be heard, and see their input influence the way a member of Congress votes.

Some key points:

• It’s much easier to influence a decision before the Member makes a public commitment.
• Personal stories trump everything.
• Provide useful information, and you’ll be rewarded with access: “The most valuable gift a lobbyist gives a member of Congress isn’t a campaign contribution—it’s a detailed analysis of how a particular issue affects the lawmaker’s district or state”.
• When you speak for a larger group, your words carry more weight: “One House Democrat…summed it up. ‘Their money is beside the point. They can mobilize and intensify a group of motivated constituents who can put the fear of God in members of Congress”. But preparedness can outweigh numbers.

The book includes several success tips checklists, including ten points to manage a face-to-face meeting, seven hints to get written communications noticed, and six things staffers look for in a phone call. A matrix chart of how legislators rank different issues is one of eight useful appendices. The book also includes the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

For more information about Citizen’s Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials, including sample section and secure online ordering, see CitizensHandbook.com

2010, 128 pages
Softcover, $11.95
ISBN 10: 1587331810
ISBN 13: 9781587331817

Ebook: $7.99
EISBN 13: 9781587332326

Journalists and Bloggers: to request interviews and review copies, contact the publisher: 703-739-3790, ext. 0, or use this form.

BusinessWire: http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20101109005007/en/

Coming soon: A Better Congress: Change the Rules, Change the Results: A Modest Proposal – Citizen’s Guide to Legislative Reform, by Joseph Gibson

Citizen’s Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials: Citizen Advocacy in State Legislatures and Congress – A Guide for Citizen Lobbyists and Grassroots Advocates, by Bradford Fitch

Practical guidance how to prepare for and meet with elected officials and staff, how to write effective letters and emails to elected officials, strategies for influencing legislators face-to-face, best practices for communicating with Congress and state legislatures, and how to write persuasive “letters to the editor”. Includes the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Softcover, $11.95
ISBN 10: 1587331810
ISBN 13: 9781587331817

Ebook: $7.99
EISBN 13: 9781587332326

Available from your favorite bookseller.

More information, including Table of Contents, sample sections, and secure online ordering: CitizensHandbook.com.

Coming soon
A Two Seas Media book:
A Better Congress: Change the Rules, Change the Results: A Modest Proposal – Citizen’s Guide to Legislative Reform, by Joseph Gibson

A comprehensive look at the reasons that Congress does not work well and some real solutions that can make Congress work better.

Hardbound, $16.95
ISBN 10: 1587332337
ISBN 13: 978-1-58733-233-3

Softcover, $12.95
ISBN 10: 158733237X
ISBN 13: 978-1-58733-237-1

Ebook: $8.99
EISBN: 158733-236-1 9781587332364

More information, including Table of Contents, and secure online pre- ordering: ABetterCongress.com

Journalists and Bloggers: to request a review copy of either book, please use this form.

When setting up a grassroots organization, you can organize the network in one of three different ways.

photo credit: ricketyus

With and organized formal membership, those who join are formal members who are either current or potential grassroots activists. They may be organized into local or state chapters. Labor unions and established trade associations are considered to be formal membership networks. One of the most essential elements of effectively developing an formal organized grassroots network is ensuring you have an active commitment of the association leadership. The advantage of this type of group is that you have a large pool of prospective advocates.

Your job is to develop existing members into a strong network of informed advocates. A good portion of the foundational work will already have been done, but you must work toward motivating members and recruiting new individuals. One of the most common challenges with this type of group is there is sometimes a lack of consistency between the local and national groups.

Another option is an unorganized formal membership. There are usually formal members but those members are not organized into local groups or chapters. In most cases, the formal members are businesses or individuals on mailing lists. They may rarely meet or never even meet at all. This type of situation naturally presents more of a challenge in regards to developing members into a strong network. You will need to focus on developing strategies for organizing and engaging members.

You might also find it helpful to provide them with a chance to join a more organized effort through a coalition or network to provide better results.

Yet another option is no formal membership. In this type of situation, you have a portion of the population that supports your issues. You reach out to organizations that might be allies as well as to citizens to assist you in building a grassroots effort.

With both the organized and the unorganized formal membership groups you have the potential for establishing a stronger organization over a period of time. You also have the advantage of being able to develop a separate resource for legislative efforts.

To learn more about grassroots campaigns and networks, consider these Capitol Learning Audio Courses: Building and Nurturing Your Grassroots Campaign, How to Organize a Capitol Hill Day, and Visiting Capitol Hill for First-Time Grassroots Advocates: An Introductory Course.

Reference: Lobbying and Advocacy, by Deanna Gelak, Section 7.3 Checklist for Organizing and Maintaining an Effective Grassroots Network.

For more information about grassroots advocacy in Washington, also see

• Persuading Congress, by Joseph Gibson
• Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress, by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider
• Live and custom training courses from TheCapitol.Net:
  • Using Grassroots, Coalitions, and the Media to Get Your Message Heard
  • Advocacy Campaigns in Washington
  • Strategies for Working with Congress: Effective Communication and Advocacy on Capitol Hill
  • Capitol Hill Day / National Advocacy Day
• Capitol Learning Audio Courses:
  • Building and Nurturing Your Grassroots Campaign
  • Visiting Capitol Hill for First Time Grassroots Advocates: An Introductory Course
  • How to Organize a Capitol Hill Day
  • How to Work the Hill Like a Pro