A program director is more likely to get a meeting with the representative or senator personally if he or she explains that the program serves a large number of people and if several people are to attend the meeting.  At any rate, it is fine to meet with a senior staff person.   If the program director has not scheduled a meeting as of yet, it is not too late.  Call the local office and schedule a meeting now.  The recess is from August 6^th until the first of September so each program director should try to schedule meetings with several members of Congress.   It is helpful if a number of people go together.  A few program directors may go together and if appropriate, a couple of senior volunteers could go also, or perhaps former clients or their family members.  This is just a suggestion; you know what is or is not appropriate.  It would be a good touch.  

A program director can meet with their two senators and then (I) the representative for the address where he or she lives, (2) the representative for the address where the Senior Corps program is located and (3) any representative who covers areas within the program director's   service area.  When the program director schedules the meeting he or she must say for example, "I would like to meet with Rep Jones because I am a Senior Corps program director and my service area Rep Jones' district, West Philadelphia where we serve many many of clients through out that area.   Our programs a real life line with in the West Philadelphia community."   This is an example to explain why a representative should meet with you if you do not live or work within his district.   Make sure someone who is attending the meeting either lives, works or services the representatives area, otherwise he or she will not meet with them. 

The program directors should take a one page document that explains the Senior Corp program and states what their local program does. Do not assume that the member of Congress knows this is a federally funded program; they probably know nothing about it.   PD probably has this one pager already.   If not, the program director can type up a one pager for the meetings.  The document would include the name, address of the sponsor and state what the Senior Corps program is doing in that area.  Example:  The SCP is serving 94 seniors and 32 disabled persons in East St Louis giving respite time to the overwhelmed family members and even worst, bringing many seniors living alone."   Example only.

Talking Points for NSCA Visits

with

Congressional Members during August Recess

 

(Several program directors and other stakeholders should attend the meeting together.)

 

Each person introduces his or her self.  In advance of the meeting pick one key spokesperson.  Thank the member of Congress for seeing you.   The spokesperson then says:

 

 I am Mary Smith, a program director for the Senior Corps program and I/we/ live/ our office is located/ or we serve clients living in northeast Philadelphia around the 8th and Hamilton Street area.  (This is the representative's district)  Name all the people in the meeting who live work or serve within the representative's district. 

 

Then define what Senior Corps is and what it does - in 2 or three sentences only.   State how many people work in your programs, how many volunteers you have and how many clients you serve. Tell the representative if you have potential clients on the waiting list due to lack of funds or lack of volunteers.   

 

We want to talk to you about two things,

• One is HR 2857, the reauthorization of national; service laws.  This bill authorizes Senior Corps and on June 27^th came out of the Education and Labor Committee in the House.  But we don't know if or when, it will go to the floor of the House for a vote. 
• The NSCA thanks the Committee so much for trying to move this bill.  We particularly thank them for the provision that allows 15% of the volunteers to be over 200% of poverty and still get a stipend to participate.  We also thank the committee for the amendment that allows the Senior Corps programs to accept donations.   
• We support passage of the bill except for a provision that requires RSVP programs to re compete.  That provision must be deleted or changed .
•  Elaborate if you would like.  

The second thing we want to talk to you bout is the appropriations for the Senior Corps programs which comes from the Labor HHS Committee.  Although our programs need increased funding, since it is so late in the process and we know the budget is tight, we will work with the level funding the House and Senate Committees have approved for  FY 2008.  The president's budget had called for a cut in SC and FG programs, but thanks to the House and the Senate, who restored funding and appropriated level funding for all three programs, including RSVP.  As Congress proceeds through the appropriations process we want you to make sure to protect the Senior Corps funding and make sure it is not cut, funding  must remain at least level  the House and Senate have approved.  

 

For FY 2009, we need a great increase.  Tell her/him why briefly why you need more funds for FY 2009, about two or three sentences.   So please prepare to increase funding for Senior corps in FY 2009 and we will be back in January of 2007  to pursue this further.

 

Thanks you so much for seeing us.  We invite you to come to visit our office in November and to visit one of our sites here in your district.   We will begin working with your staff to arrange a day.  We would love to be of service to you by speaking at one of your town hall meeting or setting up a booth at one of your health fairs to explain how our programs can benefit your constituents.   

 

Good bye we'll stay in touch.