Our Revolution Summer for Progress Training

What is the People's Platform? Why now?

• America is in crisis
• Our representatives and senators represent not the needs of the wealthy and the political elite
• Politicians use dog whistle politics to instill fear and turn us against each other
• climate catastrophe pending
• Almost 50% of Americans live at or near the poverty line
• We are the richest country in the world and we can band together to get the things we need and deserve

How can we win? We need an aspirational message with an unapologetic, progressive platform to help people with issues they face every day. We can motivate people to take back power. We need to pressure Democrats to the left by pressuring them to co-sponsor bills. We will prepare a scorecard at end of the campaign

Campaign and Timeline

• Petitions already signed and delivered over 120,000 signatures
• Now we are in trainings and direct action phase with contact with members of Congress over recess
• Group leader or member with a strong connection can make a meeting with member or highest level staffer in District Office
• Maintain good relationships
• If we cannot meet 1:1, try to go to a public event, preferably less formal through calendar or website. If possible, ask for a meeting 1:1.
• Deliver petitions by district. Can put in a box with a flash drive if too many too print
• Assigned roles in the meeting: 
• facilitator, 
• scribe, 
• issue speaker(s), 
• broadcaster = video to either livestream or post on social media to hold accountable, 
• petition deliverer, 
• hard ask (cosponsor bill) by someone very persuasive and with straightforward question to get clear answer, 
• validators
• Get together and practice and time this before the actual meeting

How to schedule a meeting with your representative and how to prepare

• Share tips for meeting with Congressional Members
• dress professionally (not Bernie Ts) with business casual or at least clean, pressed clothing
• polite even when disagreeing
• arrive at least 15 minutes early and do final rehearsal and practice
• facilitator introduces and takes control of meeting, describes goals, has agenda and paperwork to turn in, paperwork explaining People's Platform, makes sure up front how much time to meet and keeps meeting on time and tight
• Ask for a signed pledge card before we leave
• After meeting, debrief and have followup plan
• Send a thank-you note or email and follow up on any questions s/he may have asked
• Get whatever s/he agreed to or didn't agree to on the record
• Fill out report card form

How to track which bills your member has co-sponsored

How to conduct first meeting with member of Congress

What's next?