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How to Invite Members of Congress and Staff to the IC Reception

Invite your member of Congress to speak at the reception.

New time:The reception will be 5:00−7:00. We are asking members of Congress to speak during the timeframe of 5:45−6:30.

Costs: There is no charge for members of Congress (MoCs) to attend.

Step #1: Download and edit the MOC invite (Word).Updated May 17, 2010 to reflect new time!

Step #2: Find out who the DC office scheduler is, and how they like to receive invitations

To the receptionist: “Hello, could you please tell me who your scheduler is and how he or she likes to receive D.C.-based speaking requests?”

Put the scheduler’s name in the “attn” line of the invite.

Step #3: Personalize the invitation for your member.

Step #4: Send the invitation to the scheduler as well as the staffer with whom you work.

Step #5: Tell Lisa Marchal (lmarchal@results.org) which MoC you are inviting and any responses you receive. This is critical! Lisa is also the contact name in the invite, should they have questions.

Step #6: Follow up with the scheduler in 1–2 weeks and ask when you will have an answer. Follow up again as appropriate.

Invite congressional staff to attend the reception.

It is critical you invite your staffer EARLY to increase the chances they can attend. You can not wait until the day of the reception, as we must have the RSVP by June 10 (see below).

Costs: There is a $45 charge for congressional staff to attend. This cost must be paid for by the invitee before the reception.

Deadline: We must have a final count of all congressional staff who will be attending by June 10. Send this information to Lisa Marchal (lmarchal@results.org).

Step #1: Download and edit the congressional staff invite (Word).

Step #2: Send the invitation to the staffer

Step #3: Explain that you will be covering the cost of their attendance and thus must know by June 10 if they will be able to attend.

If asked, you can explain that should the staffer attend, their acceptance of this invitation is in accordance with the ethics rules because (1) it is a reception, the food is not offered as part of a meal, and the food is of “nominal value.” Additionally, the value of the reception is $45, which is also below the ethics gift limit rule of $49.99.

Step #4: Tell them you need to know by June 10 if they will be able to attend.

Step #5: Tell Lisa Marchal (lmarchal@results.org) which congressional staffers you are inviting and any responses you receive. This is critical! Lisa is also the contact name in the invite, should they have questions.

Step #6: Follow up with the staffer in a couple of weeks and then again a week before June 10.