Communication Relationships with Congressional Offices

Congressman Phil Gingrey, M.D. (GA-11)

Jen TalaberCommunications

Director

Office Organization

D.C. Office• Access to Government and

Independent Reports • Legislative Updates• Constituent Services- i.e. flag

requests, tours, etc.• Meetings and scheduling

requests• Constituent Correspondence • Website management

District Office • Casework• Forms, paperwork,

administrative work• District scheduling

Social Media in Local Government

• Real-time updates• Mutually beneficial (Cobb Fly-in example)• Resource for news articles and reports

Utilizing Staff– It’s all about relationships…

DC Staff • Staff = Access• Get to know through

meetings, email, calls• Sign up for newsletters and

press releases

District Staff • Good starting for

introductions• Scheduling requests,

casework, etc. • Invite to local events

Make the relationship mutually beneficial– Keep

us updated!

Helpful Advice • If you have questions or concerns- call us directly. Don’t

organize a campaign of people calling. • A meeting with a staffer (instead of the Congressman) isn’t a

wasted meeting. Your relationship with staff goes far with the Congressman.

• Be aware of recess and session weeks, particularly the upcoming lame duck. Some issues will take priority over others.

• If a scheduling request can’t be accommodated: don’t hesitate to contact the press office for a letter to be read or a 1/5 minute to be submitted for the record.