ARSA CORNER
DO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW YOUR NAME?
HOW TO BECOME AN ACTIVE CONSTITUENT AT HOME SO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS REMEMBER YOU ON THE HILL.
Business success in a heavily- regulated industry depends on building relationships. Whether with inspectors, FAA officials or elected leaders, making sure key people know your name is an important step to ensure constructive dialogue and productive government dealings.
DO YOUR ELECTED
OFFICIALS KNOW YOUR NAME? If not, you can change that. There are a number of ways to engage with lawmakers and demonstrate the impact repair stations have on the economy and on the world of aviation safety. As an active constituent in your home state or district, you can make an impression on your elected officials, become a resource for their offices and ensure that your business needs are understood in Washington.
Here’s how you do it: ENGAGE YOUR
DISTRICT/STATE OFFICES A district office (U.S. senators and staff often refer to it as “state offices”) represents the home base for your U.S. House and Senate representatives. It employs dedicated individuals from the local community who answer constituent concerns. The staff is ready to answer questions
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about legislation, provide information about district activities, set up an appointment with your representative and help with other matters of importance or interest. Visit the home office to inform
your lawmakers and staff of issues important to your business — let them know you are there and you represent votes. Opening the door to an ongoing dialogue through this local contact is easy, but ARSA (or any other organization that represents your interest) can help if you’re uneasy about the first steps. Remember, your voice matters.
PARTICIPATE IN
TOWN HALL MEETINGS Many representatives or their supporters host town hall or other community meetings. These forums provide an opportunity to gain insight into your representative’s priorities as well as his or her position on national, international and community issues. Most importantly, these events are a chance to initiate meaningful dialogue. To get information on events scheduled or occurring in your area, contact the staff at the district office. You may also learn of an event through your local paper, newscast or congressional office’s newsletter or Web site.
When attending a town hall meeting, make the most of the event by preparing and actively participating. Establish yourself as both a constituent and also representative of other voters and bring paper resources that support or illustrate your positions to provide your representative’s staff.
HOST FACILITY VISITS Facility visits give members of Congress and legislative staff an opportunity to see first hand what your company does and how it fits into the aviation industry. It’s also a chance for lawmakers to meet your employees (whose votes they want to win) and to show their commitment to the local business community. Remember that representatives and
senators have tremendous demands on their time, so you must be flexible in scheduling a tour and even be willing to have a congressional staffer come and visit. Plan ahead and work closely with the congressional office — with whom you’re building a relationship — to iron out the details. Remember to enjoy yourself (and encourage your colleagues to do the same). Capture the event with photographs and highlight the visit in your company’s communications. Taking the initiative to invite a member of Congress to your facility
BY DANIEL B. FISHER, VICE PRESIDENT OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
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