2014 Congressional Elections Advocacy 101 - Making a Difference in Congress | Page 3

a lot of time. It just takes the
will to act and speak out.
Even though the political
process in Washington can
seem challenging, we remain
hope-filled and confident
that our voices will make
a difference, as they have
through the years.

Does Advocacy Work?
Recent research by the
Jim Stipe for Bread for the World
Congressional Management
Foundation confirms that advocacy makes a difference. Virtually all of the
Capitol Hill staff surveyed (96 percent) reported that if their member of
Congress had not reached a firm decision on an issue, individualized letters and emails would influence the member’s position. Individual phone
calls are also very effective as are letters to the editor and op-eds in your
local newspaper. Scheduling a visit with your member of Congress in a
district office can be the most effective of all. Or schedule a conference call
with the representative or senator and other Bread members.
The key to effective advocacy is to make your communications personal and individual. A recent survey found that it takes only seven letters
for a congressional office to start “tracking” (paying attention to) an issue.

What You Can Do

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Pray
Ask God:
• to support and comfort our brothers and sisters who live with
hunger, poverty, and disease
• to help our nation’s leaders make wise and compassionate
decisions
• to guide people of faith and conscience on their journey to do
justice and love mercy
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