Megan M. Parsons
Diversity & Inclusion Liaison
On March 11th and 12th, 2020, the Society of Women Engineers hosted Congressional Outreach Days in Washington, DC. This is an annual opportunity for SWE members to receive advocacy training and briefings on legislative affairs, followed by meetings with elected officials. This year’s theme was "Diversity and Inclusion Fuels Innovation in STEM". This was an opportunity for meetings with legislators to discuss the scientific and societal impacts of federal policies that empower underrepresented individuals to pursue STEM fields. Megan Parsons, our Diversity & Inclusion Liaison, attended SWE Congressional Outreach Days this year to advocate for public policy to strengthen the STEM workforce; increase research funding; and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and engineering. Below, Megan highlights guidelines and expectations for a successful meeting on Capitol Hill.
By meeting face-to-face with lawmakers, engineers can communicate their personal stories in support of legislation that benefits the scientific enterprise. By connecting your personal narrative to Congressional Outreach Day talking points, you can maximize your ability to effect change in public policy. To achieve this, it is important to understand how to prepare for your meetings with members of Congress and what to expect during and after the visit.
Preparing for a Congressional Visit
In advance of your meetings, you can begin by familiarizing yourself with policy positions of your congressional representatives. Be sure to understand SWE’s Congressional Outreach theme and talking points – key messages that the organization hopes to convey each year on Capitol Hill. Focus your meeting on the specific guidelines, funding, and legislation that are best supported by your personal story.
SWE may provide statistics or quantitative data sheets regarding the state of women and underrepresented populations in STEM. Familiarize yourself with these but understand that your personal experiences as a constituent are perhaps the most compelling aspect of your advocacy toolkit. Start with your personal narrative, then use the statistical data to answer questions or provide broader support for your claims.
Organize your thoughts prior to your meetings. Understand the legislative process to properly target your efforts. Do some basic research to track the status of legislation you hope to discuss. These visits are vital for building lasting relationships with your legislators, so completing these preliminary steps will allow you to approach these meetings with confidence.
Congressional Visit Expectations
Your visit may take place individually or in a group. If you will be meeting in a group, then work to coordinate your message and designate a primary speaker prior to your meeting. Also note that you may be meeting with your congressional representative directly or with a staffer. This meeting could take place in an office or a hallway, or even as the person you are meeting with walks to another meeting. It’s possible that your meeting will be rescheduled at the last minute, or an in-person meeting will become a conference call. Be accommodating throughout the scheduling process and flexible regarding meeting logistics.
The meeting will begin with introductions, followed by your personal narrative and how it relates to the talking points. If your member of Congress has already expressed support for the legislation you’re discussing, then be sure to thank him or her for the support. If there is a distinct opposition to the legislation you’re discussing, that’s fine, too! This is intended to be an ongoing conversation, and this meeting can serve as a foundation for a continuing relationship. Ultimately, you want to keep the meeting focused and succinct by making a clear ‘ask’.
You may be asked about nuanced ideas or something you do not know the answer to; in this case, you would simply follow-up post-meeting under the guidance of SWE HQ.
Prepare materials, like statistics or talking points, to leave with your member of Congress at the conclusion of the meeting.
Be sure to thank the person you met with for their time and, if desired, you can request a photo for social media.
Post-Visit Opportunities
After your congressional visit, be sure to send a thank-you email to everyone you met with. Take this opportunity to briefly reiterate what you discussed and make it clear that you are available to serve as a resource on these issues in the future. Follow-up with any requested information.
Reach out to elected officials to arrange a meeting or laboratory tour to further engage with policymakers on the valuable research being conducted within their districts.
Consider attending a local town hall to connect with policymakers, stay up-to-date with current priorities, and help prepare for your next meeting.
Follow and share content to amplify your message using the #SWEAdvocacy hashtag.
Finally, remember that SWE Congressional Outreach Day meetings are part of an ongoing dialogue with members of Congress to influence policy and effect positive change in STEM fields. Your narrative and continuing engagement is vital to federal support of diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering.
SWE’s Congressional Outreach Days occur annually in March, with applications opening in January. To find out more about Congressional Outreach Days or learn about more ways in which you can get involved with public policy, check out the SWE Legislative Action Center or contact Megan Parsons at meganparsons@alumni.harvard.edu.
