Citizen’s Guide to Advocating Before the District
of Columbia Council
Prepared by the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence Policy
Department
5 Thomas Circle NW Washington DC 20005 202.299.1181 www.dccadv.org
Communicating with the District of Columbia Council: Tips and
Tools
Legislative advocacy is communicating with legislators, either on behalf of an organization or
as an individual, to express support of or opposition to an issue. As elected officials, members
of the District of Columbia Council represent the interests of the city’s residents. Carefully
tailoring your message and approach to a Councilmember is key to success. Below are some
tips to use when reaching out as an advocate.
Step 1: Prepare
UNDERSTAND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS & TIMELINE
How does a bill become law in DC?
Introduction
When a Councilmember introduces a bill, it is referred to the
committee having oversight over that issue area. For a list of
Committees and the agencies they oversee, go here.
Hearing
The committee may hold a public hearing, where members of
the public may testify.
Mark-up
The committee may revise (“mark-up”) the bill based on
feedback from the community and others. If a majority of the
committee votes in favor of it, the bill advances out of
committee for consideration by the Committee of the Whole,
which consists of the entire Council.
First and second
readings
In order to pass, a majority of the Council must vote in favor of
the bill at two separate meetings. The second reading must
occur at least 2 weeks after the first. During these meetings,
Councilmembers may debate the bill and propose
amendments.
Mayor signature and
Congressional review
Once passed by the Council, legislation must be signed by the
Mayor and reviewed by Congress before it becomes law.
When should I communicate with the Council?
DC Council sessions last 2 years and begin in early January. The Council usually goes
on recess from July to September and from mid-December to the end of each year.
Budget advocacy should begin early in the calendar year. The Mayor releases a
proposed budget in April, and performance and budget oversight hearings take
place in March-April. The District’s fiscal year begins October 1st and ends
September 30th. For more information about the District’s budget, budget hearings,
and more, go here. To view the actual budget, go here.
Advocacy on a particular bill can begin as soon as the bill is introduced. You may
also testify at a bill’s public hearing. Go here find out more about scheduled
hearings.
KNOW YOUR LEGISLATOR
Which legislator(s) should I contact? – Consider several possibilities:
Your Ward
Representative
If your issue is a local/community matter, speak to your Ward
Councilmember to ask for their help in persuading their colleagues
to support your position. Go here to find out which Ward you live or
work in.
Committee Chair
and Members
For advocacy around a particular bill, find out which Committee it’s
been referred to. While they consult with other Council and
committee members, the Committee Chair ultimately has the
most direct influence on regarding whether or not to move a bill
forward. Go here for a list of Council committees.
A Champion on your
Issue
Research Councilmembers’ issue interest areas, backgrounds, and
voting records. Consider reaching out to a Councilmember who has
championed your position on this issue in the past. Councilmember
profiles can be found here. Go here to find legislation introduced by
a Councilmember.
At-Large Members
The Council has two at-large members who represent all District
residents. Get to know them and their stance on your issue and
include them in your advocacy efforts when appropriate.
Which staffer in a Councilmember’s office should I contact?
Research and get to know the person in the Councilmember’s office who works on
the issues you care about. This staffer has specific expertise and will likely be
receptive to your outreach, as speaking to community members often greatly
informs their work. Contact information can be found here.
KNOW YOUR TOPIC
Be familiar with the substance of the legislation you are proposing, supporting, or
opposing. Text of bills can be found here.
Why is this bill important? What will happen if it passes/doesn’t pass?
Will this have a cost to the city?
Who else supports it? Who opposes?
Step 2: Communicate Persuasively
GENERAL TIPS
Be specific.
State your purpose and “ask” up-front, identifying the specific bill
number, budget item and/or issue area.
Be concise.
Policymakers and their staff meet with many people each week and
have limited time. Bring a “leave behind” one-page fact sheet with
additional information on your position.
Be accurate.
Be factual – your credibility is at stake. If you use statistics, make sure
you can back them up. If you don’t know the answer to a question,
never bluff –it is perfectly acceptable to say you’ll need to follow up
with an answer later (be sure you do!).
Be respectful.
Even in the face of disagreements, maintaining good relationships is
essential. Express your desire to work with their office to resolve
concerns. Thank them for their time and consideration of the issue and
your perspective.
Treat every staff
member with
equal respect.
Today’s intern is tomorrow’s Chief of Staff. Busy Councilmembers
depend on their staff to keep them informed and updated, so it is
important to maintain strong working relationships with all Council
staffers.
Personalize your
statement.
Tell the Councilmember/staffer about yourself, your agency, and who
you serve. Speak to the issue from your own experience and
knowledge, and help draw community/constituent connections that
will make your meeting memorable. (Do you or your clients live in the
Councilmember’s ward? Is the Councilmember on the Board of
Directors of an organization you work with?)
Your message
should always
include:
Who you are. Include your agency and job title, if applicable.
Where you are from. If calling on behalf of an agency, include your
entire service area, not just where the agency is located. For
example: “I represent Happy House, which serves elders living in
Wards 5 and 6.”
What you are calling or writing about. Be specific - include bill
number or budget item.
Your position. Anticipate counterarguments and come prepared
with responses – this shows that you have done your homework.
Your “ask.” What is it you want from them? (e.g., “Please
support/oppose Bill #19-1234.”)
Ask for a response. What is the Councilmember’s position on this
issue? Will the Councilmember commit to your “ask”? If meeting
with staff, confirm they will brief their boss on your discussion, let
them know you will follow-up, and get their card/contact
information.
Your contact information. Invite the Councilmember or staffer to
follow up with any additional questions.
COMMUNICATING BY LETTER OR EMAIL
You can write to your Councilmember either on behalf of your agency or as a
constituent. If you write on behalf of an agency, send your letter on agency
letterhead. If you write as a constituent DO NOT use agency letterhead; express
views as your own.
In general, letters sent via mail or fax have a greater impact than email messages.
Customized, individual letters also have more impact than pre-prepared form
letters.
All Councilmembers and their staff have email addresses. As a rule of thumb,
addresses generally follow this formula: [email protected].
Try to stick to 1 page – remember, they get a lot of messages and have limited time.
Include attachments if further details are necessary.
Double-check spelling and grammar, especially the Councilmember’s name and
address.
COMMUNICATING BY TELEPHONE
Identify, for the person answering the phone, your name, agency (if applicable), and
where you live and/or work. Request to speak to the Councilmember directly. If your
Councilmember is not available, ask to speak to a staffer who works on the issue.
If you get voicemail, say who you are, your agency’s name and service area (if
calling on behalf of one), and what you want them to support or reject, including the
bill number.
Make sure to leave your contact information.
COMMUNICATING IN PERSON
Whenever possible, make an appointment and always be on time. You must present
a photo ID to enter the John A. Wilson Building. Remember to allow time for
clearing security.
Generally, try to keep your meeting to 5-10 minutes. Plan and practice your
conversation.
Bring a 1-page summary of your position and “ask” as well as your contact
information.
TESTIFYING AT A HEARING
Signing Up
When a hearing is scheduled on a bill you are interested in, sign up to testify by
emailing the Committee Clerk, whose contact information will be listed on the
hearing notice. You can find a regularly updated list of hearing notices here.
Writing Testimony
Start by outlining the key points you want to make. Your testimony should:
o Begin by identifying yourself and your agency and title (if applicable).
o Thank the Committee Chair/members if they’ve been champions on your
issue.
o State what you’re there to testify about – include the bill number, what the
bill is about, and your position.
o Tell them why you are taking that position. Remember: your goal is not just
to communicate, but to persuade. Include real-life stories from your work
(protecting confidentiality, of course!), statistics, and how this legislation will
impact
victims
and/or
service
providers.
Anticipate
questions/counterarguments and be prepared to refute them.
o State your “ask”.
o Thank them for their time and offer to answer questions.
Practice reading your testimony aloud to another person. Witnesses are usually put
on a clock, so limit testimony to 3 minutes or shorter. Tip: use Online Stopwatch to
time yourself.
Testifying at the Hearing Make 15 copies of your testimony and turn them in to the
Committee Clerk (who usually sits at a table beside the dias) before stepping up to
testify.
Consider submitting questions in advance of the hearing to friendly committee
members for them to pose to witnesses such as agency heads.
If you feel strongly about an issue but are uncomfortable or unable to testify, attending a
hearing as part of the audience is a great way to show support for a bill. You can also submit
written testimony after the hearing that will be included in the formal record by emailing it to
the committee. The hearing notice will specify how long the record remains open after a
hearing (usually 2 weeks).
Step 3: Follow Up
After a meeting, call, or public hearing with a Councilmember or staffer, follow up promptly via
email to thank them for speaking with you. Offer to send additional information and answer
any questions they may have. If you promised to get back to them with an answer or materials,
send the information promptly.
We Can Help
DCCADV is happy to share additional ideas and support as you prepare for a meeting or
prepare testimony. For technical assistance please contact our Policy Department:
202.299.1181 or [email protected].
Learn More
You can find additional helpful information at the following sites:
DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
District of Columbia Council
District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer