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NWPCA Congressional Plant Tour Guide

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SETTING UP THE PLANT TOUR DECIDING WHO TO INVITE Is this a visit for candidates, other members of Congress and/or congressional staff? Consider starting with a local or state staff person and working up to a visit from the presidential candidate or elected official. A staff-level visit can be just as important as a member visit. SEND THE INVITATION Send a letter to the candidate and staff explaining who you are and what you would like to showcase. Include directions to the plant, as well as a requested amount of time. When inviting a legislator for a plant tour, be flexible and allow for several options. Once a date is set, be prepared for last- minute schedule changes. See page 5 for a sample invitation letter. The ideal time to schedule a tour is during a recess period. They generally occur during the following holiday periods: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day (mid- January) Presidents' Day (mid-February) Easter/Passover (March or April) Memorial Day (late May) Independence Day (July 4) Summer (August through the week after Labor Day) Rosh Hashanah (late September or early October) Yom Kippur (10 days after Rosh Hashanah) Columbus Day (early October) Veterans Day (early November) Thanksgiving Late December through early January Arrange the tour around the legislator's schedule. In addition to formal recesses, members of Congress are most likely to be in their home districts on Mondays and Fridays. TRACK AND CONFIRM RSVPs AND FOLLOW UP AS NECESSARY Call the candidate's scheduler to make sure the invitation has been received. Make follow-up p h o n e calls if the scheduler has not gotten back to you to confirm the lawmaker's visit. Don't be discouraged if a visit is not scheduled immediately. Be flexible and persistent. Invite him or her to drop by for a tour and cup of coffee the n ext time he or she passes through town. Most candidates will occasionally have a few minutes of free time during a busy campaign schedule. Leave the date open-ended, and the candidate may take you up on your invitation. COORDINATE LENGTH OF EVENT WITH CONGRESSIONAL STAFF Once the scheduler confirms the lawmaker is able to attend, work out a length of time for the plant tour. Determine how much time the lawmaker has for the visit. The tour itself should last approximately 30–60 minutes. DISTRIBUTE MEMO OF VISIT TO EMPLOYEES Share the news with employees of the lawmaker's planned visit and encourage them to attend. 4

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