Page 16 - NCISS Your Advocate March 2019

Dear Members
The annual NCISS "Hit the Hill" Day is Tuesday, April 30th. If you have not yet scheduled your Senator and
Representative appointments, the time is now. This year, we are urging all attendees to make their own appointments.

Please make your appointments, if possible, so that you have from 12:00 to 1:30 to attend
our luncheon. Our legislative advocates from Lobbyit have arranged a luncheon in the US Capitol building, with a
keynote speaker.

I. Contact your lawmakers:
Contact both your Senator(s) and Representative(s) to request an appointment. You may also request an appointment
with the Representative serving the district where your office is located. To find your Representative, go
to www.house.gov. On the first page, enter your zip code on the "find your representative" link. This will link you to the
website of your member of the House. Use www.senate.gov to locate the websites of your senators.

II. Obtain contact information:
Each website for a Member of Congress will have a "contact" link, listing phone and/or email contact information. Some
may have specific instructions for requesting appointments. If there are specific instructions, please follow them.
Usually, they will want an email explaining why you want an appointment. Given a choice, I suggest you start with a
phone call to the Washington office. If you have any difficulty finding the number, you can call the Capitol switchboard
at (202) 224-3121 where you can be connected directly.

III. Phone call message:
Ask to speak to the appointment scheduler and introduce yourself as a member of NCISS:
"I am calling to request an appointment on April 30th with (Representative or Senator) _________________. I
would like to discuss several issues affecting my investigation and security professions."

Most of the time, you will then be asked to send information about issues of concern. If you leave a message
and don't receive a response in a couple of days, call back. You may have to call several times. You may also
contact the local Congressional office for assistance. That number is listed as a contact on the congressional
websites.

IV. Sample appointment request letter:
A separate sample letter is included in the full Hit the Hill Packet for download. Your letter to introduce you:
"I am writing to request an appointment on April 30th with (Representative or Senator) ______________. I
would like to discuss several issues affecting my investigation and security professions." I'm in town with the
annual congressional visit day of the National Council of Investigation & Security Services. I am interested in
discussing key investigation and security issues.

V. Meeting with staff.
If it becomes clear at any point that you won't be able to meet with the Senator and Representative, ask to meet with
staff. If you are urged to meet with staff instead of the Senator and Representative, ask to meet with the person
handling privacy, social security, or security issues. Do not be disappointed. The legislative staff is a critical part of the
legislative process, are typically current on the issues, and often make recommendations to the Senator and
Representative.

For those of you unable to attend, Please consider a donation to your NCISS Legislation Fund. Funding our
lobbying program costs about $75 per member, and we are only able to continue with your generous donations,
and donations from many of our state and international association members. Everyone attending this event in
Washington DC does so at their own expense, and their generosity benefits all of us in this profession. Whether
you are able to give $25, $100, or more, your donation will be greatly appreciated and put to good use
protecting our interests. Even if you are attending, any donation is greatly appreciated.