On Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the National Youth Correspondents will be on Capitol Hill and will have the opportunity to meet with their community’s Congressional delegate.
Please note that while we are providing time during the Conference and instructions for setting up your meeting – we will not be scheduling the appointment for you. You may choose to contact your U.S. Senator’s offices or your Congressional district representative. Congress is expected to be in regular session during our Summit dates, so we encourage you to make your appointment as soon as possible. Keep in mind that during your meeting, you are representing your school, community, and the Washington Journalism and Media Conference and are expected to do so in a courteous and respectful manner.
We strongly encourage all National Youth Correspondents to take part in this activity and will take note during the college credit evaluation process.
Use http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members to find your Congressional Representatives
Use the internet to look up information about your Representatives. What issues are important to you and which are important to your Representative(s) in Congress?
Contact your Representative’s office via phone, e-mail or an on-line form (generally found on their official website, which should end in a “dot gov”).
You can call your Representative’s Washington, D.C. office by finding their phone number on their website or here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members
Contact your Representative’s office via phone, e-mail or an on-line form (generally found on their official website, which should end in a “dot gov”).
You can call your Representative’s Washington, D.C. office by finding their phone number on their website or here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members
Call during regular business hours and follow the following script:
Hello, my name is YOUR NAME and I am representing YOUR HIGH SCHOOL and YOUR STATE as a National Youth Correspondent at the Washington Journalism and Media Conference held at George Mason University. The Conference runs from ENTER DATES and focuses on leadership and journalism and media. On Thursday, we have time between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to meet with REPS NAME or a member of HIS/HER staff. Is there any time in that window available for REPS NAME or a staff member to meet with me?
If you e-mail, remember to write your communication in a word document and make sure that it is proofread and spell-checked by a parent or teacher. Here is a sample letter for your use:
Dear Representative Name,
My name is Full Name and I am entering my senior (or junior) year at Name High School in Town, State. I will be visiting Washington, DC between ENTER DATES as a National Youth Correspondent at the Washington Journalism and Media Conference held at George Mason University.
The Conference’s schedule allows time on Thursday, ENTER DATE, 2023 between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. for me to meet with you or a member of your staff. It would be a great privilege for me to discuss your position on the environment, leadership and your experiences, and what I can do to help better serve Home State.
Your consideration and efforts are appreciated.
Your Name
Your Email
Your Home Address
Your Phone Number
We suggest you give the Representative’s office 7-10 days to process your request and if you don’t hear from them in that time give them a call and ask for an update on the status of your meeting request. Continue to follow-up until you get a response.
Print out any confirmation details about the appointment and bring them with you to the Conference. Make sure you have: Senator/Representative’s name, your contact’s name, Congressional Office phone number and e-mail, Congressional office address with the name of the building and room number.
Again, these appointments must be scheduled AND confirmed by you, the student.
Make your appointment well in advance, and arrive on time!
Try to have several questions prepared and be able to tell your story (who you are, where you’re from, and what you are interested in) in about 60 to 90 seconds. Explain what issue is important to you and how it affects the community you live in.
The length of your visit will vary, but assume you will have 10-20 minutes and there could be interruptions or opportunities to get a private tour of the Capitol. Be prepared for 10-20 minutes, but if the opportunity presents itself take the tour!
Be cordial and appreciative, regardless of views, political party, past votes or past history.
Send a thank you note and if you like keep them up to date on the things going on in your community. Who knows, if you keep it up you could be the next Congressional Representative from your area!