Computer programers needed ...

[ColbertWatcher]

... or anyone who knows how to make a flow chart.

Can a flow chart be made that shows the best way to get one's Congressman's attention?

Who on his/her staff to contact, when the best time would be to meet him/her in person? What steps should be taken for followy-up? When to get the media involved?

If anyone has any other steps, suggestions please post in reply.

I see a few threads about investigating torture, it would be nice to have a detailed plan for putting pressure on Congress to do so one rep at a time.

Maybe we could use it to include single-payer as well?

[notesdev]

1. Flow chart

Your $$ -------> Congressman's pocket

Congratulations! You now have his attention.

[SmileyRose]

3. er - I bet just putting your hand in his pocket would get his attention too.

:evilgrin:

[billyoc]

2. They went out with Members Only jackets for computer programmers.

:hi:

Try this, though:

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_97.htm

[ColbertWatcher]

7. ...

... nothing ever really goes out of style ...

[TahitiNut]

4. Try a HIPO chart.

Easier to draw and get a sense of history. :evilgrin:

[ColbertWatcher]

5. I'm not familiar with that acronym. Do you have a link? n/t

[TahitiNut]

11. "Hierarchical Input Process Output" ... a flashback to the 70s

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIPO
http://www.hit.ac.il/staff/leonidM/information-systems/ch64.html

[Lasher]

6. Do you have Microsoft Office?

Templates available here

[Two Americas]

8. my experience

People take the wrong approach, in my opinion, clamoring for attention and blasting the members.

Here is what has worked for me over the years with many office holders at all levels.

First, you need to be very conversant in the subject - not talking points, but in-depth knowledge. That way, you are an asset to the staffers you talk with, you have something of value to offer.

Second, know what they have been doing on the issue inside out. They may be struggling with the issue already, and that means you may be able to help them with it.

Next, take your time and build relationships. It may take a few calls, and some phone tag. You don't have to get right to the top, start a conversation with anyone in the office who is willing to talk to you. It may take you a couple of weeks to start building relationships with people there, and it does not all need to be done on the first call.

This is your opportunity to get into discussions, just as we do here (well, as you do here, not the way some people do) about subjects that interest you - AND that interest the people in the office as well. No need to be in an adversarial role, no need to be in a hurry. It is not merely a matter of registering your opinion with them - that is not how politics works, despite the way the MSM portrays it, like American Idol or something. You are passionate about what is happening, you are knowledgeable, you are engaged and interested, and so are people working for the office holders.

Always think of the staffers as your allies, and think of how you can help them. They get yelled at all the time, and people make demands that they cannot do anything about. If they agree with you - and they often do - work with them as a team to move the politician in the right direction - give them ammunition, ideas, insights. They get kicked around and pulled every direction - they can use a friend, and a calm and pleasant voice and sane casual demeanor goes a long way. Find someone there who shares your passion and brainstorm with them.


...

[ColbertWatcher]

9. Thank you, this is a great answer!

I know too many times there is a call for people to contact our Congress Critters, but rarely is there ever an explanation for the best way to do it.

Your post is a great start. Now, if I can just get someone to turn it into a check list or flow chart that we can direct people to when the call to arms comes up again.

[moez]

10. Exactly.

And then we can all hold each other's hands in a circle and sing Kumbaya. This will help us absorb the essence of each other's souls... it's a truly beautiful thing.

[Two Americas]

16. Kumbaya?

What are you talking about?

[moez]

17. just responding

to pompous bullshit

[Two Americas]

18. what?

If you have a point, please make it.

[Recursion]

12. You need a beaurocrat, not a programmer

Programmers hate flow charts. That's why there's a flowchart mode in Microsoft Office but not in GNU Emacs

[foo_bar]

19. what about cflow?

The package also provides Emacs major mode for examining the produced flowcharts in Emacs.

http://www.gnu.org/software/cflow

I guess the emacs interface is read-only so you have a point, but programmers have to construct mental flow charts of sorts (at least for a Yes-No dialog box to take) even when they aren't documented. Although the OP sounds more like a job for a wardialer.

[csziggy]

13. Muckety has the potential to help organize this - but you'd have to gather the info

I've used it to look at relationships between politicians or news figures but I have not made a Muckety. They do have info on how to make one.
http://news.muckety.com/

And I believe that it can be like Wikipedia - users may be able to add relevant links.

[ColbertWatcher]

14. Fascinating. I've never heard of this before.

Thank you, I'll have to play with it for a while.

[csziggy]

15. I found it a few different times when looking up people.

I think the last time I used it was for Bernie Madoff.