Meet your Member of Congress in August
We’re fast approaching the August Congressional recess. This is typically the time when Members of Congress have the opportunity to spend time in their districts and meet with you, their constituents, and participate in a variety of public events, including townhall meetings. Townhalls are a great opportunity for poker players and advocates to participate in the most basic form of representative government by interacting with your Member of Congress on issues important to you.What to Expect at a Townhall
Generally, townhall meetings are structured as follows: the Member of Congress delivers opening remarks giving an overview of what is going on in Washington, D.C., from their perspective. There is then a period where members of the audience have the opportunity to ask questions either by lining up at a microphone, having a microphone passed around, or by having their question read by a staff member. Often there are time limits on how long an individual may speak and how long the townhall will last. The format will vary from Member to Member, but please be prepared to both write and verbally ask your question.
Finding out about Townhall Meetings
Keep in mind that not all townhall meetings are widely advertised. In order to make sure you have the most up-to-date information, please take the time now to call your Members of Congress and ask that you be notified should any townhall meetings be scheduled. To access contact information for your elected officials use the form below:
Enter your ZIP Code and click “Submit It” to get their phone numbers
Or click here to use our PPA Facebook app.
Additionally, here at the PPA, we will be doing our best to keep members informed about when meetings are scheduled. So watch your inbox!
Preparing to attend a Townhall Meeting
Please click here to find out if your Member is a cosponsor of H.R. 2366. If they are, please remember to thank them for their support. If they are not a cosponsor, please ask them to do so.
Familiarize yourself with PPA’s talking points and click here to print them. The talking points will help you structure your comments and will provide a leave-behind for the Member and staff.
In anticipation of your participation at a townhall meeting, below are some tips on how to effectively deliver our message that we should license and regulate online poker.
- Be Prepared: It’s your responsibility as a constituent to come to the townhall meeting prepared with thoughtful comments, good data, and a persuasive argument.
- Tell Your Story: Members of Congress are always looking for firsthand accounts of the impact that policies have on their constituents. Think in advance of how best to communicate how the recent seizure of the major online poker sites by Department of Justice (DoJ) has affected you and your rights to play online poker.
- Use Numbers: Politicians live for one thing: 50 percent plus one. This gets them reelected and keeps them employed. Use numbers by mentioning, for example “There are X number of poker players in your district.” The PPA can provide you with this information.
- Be Respectful: Some constituents start a conversation with, “I pay your salary, so you better listen to me.” It doesn’t matter if you’re talking to your grocer or a public official—starting any conversation with another person in a rude manner is not a very tactful way to persuade them. Keep in mind that even good people can have different opinions about an issue.
- Go in Groups: Nothing says “listen to me”’ to a public official like a room full of likeminded individuals. This is not to suggest that you should bring pitchforks and torches to your next town hall meeting, but a chorus is better than a solo performance. Coordinate with your poker buddies and show up and participate!
- Talk to Staff: Every Member brings staff to town hall meetings. Tell them your story before the meeting (also ask a public question during the meeting), and get their business cards so you can follow up.
- Leave Paper: Any documents passed to state-based staff will likely be faxed to the legislative assistant in Washington, D.C., who covers gaming issues. Talking points serve as an excellent “leave behind.”
- Follow Up Politely: Politely persistent people are more likely to persuade politicians. The old saying “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” holds true in Congress. Because Congressional offices are often overworked and don’t respond quickly to routine requests, following up with a phone call or email to relevant staff is an important tool in order to make sure your concerns are addressed.
- Go to Multiple Meetings: Try to get your poker buddies to attend another town hall meeting. Hearing the same thing in different places signals to a politician that there may be a deeper problem afoot.
- Demonstrate That You’re Not Going Away: If you continue to politely show your presence at town hall meetings, the legislator must deal with you, even if it’s only to avoid an uncomfortable encounter at a future town hall meeting.
- Document your experience: It is easier to hold Members of Congress accountable when there is a physical record of their position. PPA highly recommends that you (or your poker buddy) record you interaction with your Congressman. If you are able to do so, please email the video to: [email protected].
We appreciate your efforts to advocate on behalf of licensing and regulating online poker. Your actions are vital to our collective success. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to promote individual freedom and the right to play poker wherever and whenever you want.
