HOW TO HAVE CLOUT ON CAPITOL-HILL

As training professionals know well, a lot of federal legislation affe cts their work and the training field as a whole-including such issues as moving people from welfare to work, creating and supporting a nati onal system of voluntary skill standards, and designing systems for su pporting lifelong learning for all segments of the working population. Fortunately, HRD people don't have to be experienced lobbyists to get their views known and heard by those who make the laws. The article d escribes how to access members of the U.S. Congress to inform them abo ut the problems, issues, and concerns regarding proposed legislation. Pantazis describes in detail how to write, call, or make a personal vi sit to a senator or member of Congress-what title to use, how to refer to the bill in question, how to make your points quickly and concisel y, adn how to foster good will. Even though you might get through only to staff, they are the gateways to members of Congress and your messa ge will be relayed. After all, says Pantazis, legislators are elected officials. Most want to convey the idea that they are personally invol ved in their constituents' problems. Consequently, they're more open t o meeting with them than one might think. Pantazis says that the most effective lobbyists don't buy power, access, and undue influence. They trade facts and expertise-a valuable lesson for anyone trying to comm unicate effectively with a legislator. The article has a list of Websi tes and publications for information on Congressional activities. Ther e's also a step-by-step guide on how a bill becomes a law.