In-person meetings demonstrate to your legislator that you care enough to take time from your schedule to go to Annapolis or Rockville. Most importantly, you can humanize, or put a face on, Montgomery College.

Don't be intimidated The visits can be fun. Legislators like to see their constituents.

Here are some tips for success:

1. Plan your visit carefully
   1. Make an appointment.
   2. Have a clear and concise request.
2. Be prompt
3. 要有耐心。Legislators are often late.
4. Know your facts. Knowbasic data about Montgomery College(PDF,)
5. Tell your personal story
   1. Talk about the importance of Montgomery College to you.
   2. Special programs, small classes, and affordability are a few highlights.
   3. Talk about teaching at Montgomery College
   4. Talk about how Montgomery College impacted your life.
6. Know your legislator.
   1. Know whom he/she represents
   2. Know their priorities
   3. Are they a friend of Montgomery College?
7. Be responsive
   1. If asked a question answer
   2. Be Honest
   3. "I don't know" is an appropriate answer
8. Be polite
   1. Remember first impressions are lasting
   2. Make a friend at least
   3. There will be other votes
9. Be brief
   1. See above
   2. Facts are important
   3. Don't overwhelm legislators with a verbal tidal wave
   4. 离开背景文件。
10. Follow up
    1. Get that answer
    2. Provide additional information
    3. Write a follow-up letter
    4. Restate your request
    5. Say thank you.
11. Say thank you.
    1. It's polite
    2. You get more flies with honey than vinegar.
    3. You might need their vote again.

一封好的私人信件是与当选官员沟通的最有效方法。它展示了你对学院的承诺，可能只占用你几分钟的时间。

Notes and emails work, too. Handwritten notes and emails can be just as persuasive as a formal letter. The type of correspondence is up to you.

Whichever written form you choose, consider these tips:

1. Let elected officials know you are a constituent.
   1. Clearly identify yourself.
   2. 确保在信中包含你的联系信息，包括你的家庭地址，电话号码和电子邮件地址，以显示你是该组织的成员。
2. Know what to say.
   
   1. 讲述你的个人故事。个人故事是支持学院最令人信服的理由。
   2. Describe your affiliation with the College.
   3. 主持人如何改变了你的生活?
   4. 你为什么在这里工作?
   5. Why do you go to school?
   6. Why do you volunteer to support the College?
   7. 你为什么在这里教书?
3. Keep it simple. Your correspondence should be brief and to the point.
   1. A one page letter is more than enough.
   2. Stick to one issue.
   3. Ask for the result you support - for example, Fully fund MC's budget requests.
   4. Say "Thank you!"
4. Use proper etiquette.
   1. When addressing a letter to an elected official, always place "The Honorable" in front of their name
   2. In the salutation of your correspondence, use the specific title of the office they hold. For example:
      1. Dear County Executive (Last Name)
      2. Dear Senator (Last Name)
      3. Dear Delegate (Last Name)
      4. Dear Councilmember (Last Name)
      5. Dear Congressman/woman (Last Name)
   3. Send thank you letters even if the response isn't quite what you requested. Remember, we want to build long-term relationships with our elected officials.

1. Draft a few key talking points in advance.
   1. MC needs funds to keep tuition affordable.
   2. Please prevent any further budget reductions.
   3. 为学院的资本预算提供充足的资金。
2. Describe your affiliation with the College(学生、志愿者、受托人、校友、教职员工)。Tell them why you care about MC.
3. Let them know you are a constituent
   1. Clearly identify yourself.
   2. 一定要提供你的联系信息，包括你的家庭住址，电话号码和电子邮件地址。联系信息证明你是当选官员的一员。
4. Be brief, to the point, and courteous.
   1. 不争论;只要提供你的观点。
   2. Be sure to ask for the result you support
5. Talking to the staff is okay if the official is not available. Ask for a call back or response in writing from the elected official.
6. Say thank you. No matter what the reply to your request, close the conversation with a thank you. We need to build long-term relationships with our elected officials.

Montgomery College by the Numbers(PDF,)

TP/SS Leggett Math and Science Building(PDF,)

Poverty is the Greatest Barrier(PDF,)

TP/SS Leggett Math and Science Building(PDF,)

Poverty is the Greatest Barrier(PDF,)