The Current

Your Voice Matters: Plan an In-District Meeting with Your Members of Congress

During the month of August, senators and representatives return home to their states and districts for a congressional recess—a perfect opportunity for you to schedule an in-district meeting with them in your area. Your priorities matter to them most, so make sure your voice is heard this summer!

Kim Merida, an advocate from North Carolina, shared with us about meeting with her elected officials last summer.

“When my family moved to North Carolina last summer, I was able to connect quickly with fellow IJM advocates and participate in my first in-district meeting on the TVPRA. My nerves entering the meeting were quickly put at ease once the meeting started. I was reminded of how great our government process was set up to be and how much we take it for granted. We were a voice for the voiceless—it was so easy and it made a difference!”

You do not need to be a scholar or expert to help a policymaker understand the abuses and oppression suffered by IJM’s clients and millions of people like them. Remember, meeting with constituents is part of our elected officials’ job. It is also how policymakers gauge what is important to those living in his/her district or state. And it is how we help decide our government’s priorities.

Usually, a district meeting lasts 20-25 minutes. During that time, you’ll want to make a personal connection with the Member of Congress and/or their staff, provide background information on the issue you plan to discuss, and make a specific “ask” of your Member.

This month, consider asking your senator or representative to support the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), a bill designed to combat trafficking in the U.S. and support survivors.

Need talking points on the TVPRA? You can download them in our Resource Library, along with our sample meeting request, meeting report form, and a video on how to lobby. Also check out our Tips for a Successful Meeting and Sample Agenda.

And as always, we’d love to hear from you and how your meeting went! Email us at justicecampaigns@ijm.org, follow us on twitter at @IJMCampaigns, or join one of our IJM State Advocacy Facebook Pages and share your experience with us.

Click here to view our resource library to equip you for a successful and meaningful in-district meeting—and to make your voice heard this summer. 

Justice Campaigns mobilizes people around the country in support of U.S. policies that will lead to the abolition of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.