Training Manual |
Chat Archives | Building Relationships with Congress 6/4/01
Submitted by
neda on 04/04/2002
From aretha@abelcks:: Ok good, then I'll just start by
saying….It is real important that you let your Senators/Congressmen
know what you're doing. Call and make an appointment to speak with
them.
From Maryam@dcck:: Had you already done that before you came
to the conference?
From aretha@abelcks:: Good question! No, I had no idea that
it would be so easy, I thought I would get red tape, and so my focus
was on getting funding, food, and other stuff that we needed.
From Maryam@dcck:: Did you actually meet with them when you
were in DC? CongresswomanSusan1 just entered this room...
From CongresswomanSusan1:: hi, like my screen name?
From aretha@abelcks:: Hi Congresswoman Susan, which state do
you rep.
From CongresswomanSusan1:: A state of Confusion
From CongresswomanSusan1:: I will leave and re-enter as
Scallahan of DCCK
From aretha@abelcks:: LOL (do you know what LOL means)
CongresswomanSusan1 just left this room... Susan@ddck just entered
this room...
From Maryam@dcck:: Laughing out loud, right?
From aretha@abelcks:: Susan you are crazy!!!! 49776 just
entered this room...
From Susan@dcck:: Here I am. I have contacted my
congressperson many times
From aretha@abelcks:: Right Maryam
From aretha@abelcks:: Ok who's 49776, are you a secret agent?
From Maryam@dcck:: Ok, Aretha, so did you meet with your
Congressmen when you were in DC?
From aretha@abelcks:: Ok, let me tell you about my wonderful
experience here in Fl. After I got back from DC on Sunday, I called
Congressmen Ric Keller's office, and Senator Bill Nelson's office. I
did go to there office while I was in DC, but I didn't talk with
them, but I left my card...
From 49776: I'm Devra from the Haight Ashbury Food Program -
I couldn't figure out how to get in, so I tried the user ID # I have
for the website - sorry! Anyway, I'm working on a couple of letters
to our congress people today regarding the state budget and some
anti-hunger items - just thought I'd check in on the chat and see
what's going on.
Submitted by
neda on 04/04/2002
From Maryam@dcck:: Hi Devra
From 49776: I'm going to log off and check back in under my
actual email address - see ya! 49776 just left this room...
From aretha@abelcks:: When I went into Congressmen Keller's
office, I took the seven minute video of Robert on Oprah, and ask I
could show him a seven minute video, I told him I had a 30 min video
but I thougt he would appreciate the 7 min. So after he saw the
video, he was amazed, and asked about DCCK, and I politely told him
that they have a Community kitchen in FL and he was surprised, so I
had a photo album of pictures and things we had done and he called
his press secretary in and asked me to tell my story again.
From Maryam@dcck:: Aretha, then what?
From aretha@abelcks:: Maryam, I 'm typing so it going to take
me a while. So, they said they really wanted to help and ask me for
my wish list.
From Maryam@dcck:: Oops, sorry, didn't mean to rush you!
From Susan@dcck:: I am not going anywhere either:-)
From aretha@abelcks:: I emailed my list to them, and they
emailed me and said they wanted to meet with me the next week about
helping me get grants. So, since that day they have adopted me and
we talk everyday by phone/email. They have really put their heart
into this and it feels great to have support here in my local area.
From Maryam@dcck:: That's wonderful! Have they found some
grants you can apply for?
From Susan@dcck:: My question is when did you see your
congressperson? While you where in DC or when you came home?
From aretha@abelcks:: They have their own grant writers that
can help you get funding. I mean I still have to do some work, but
she has been right there with me, she's (her name is Heather) has
been looking everyday. We have found several and are working on them
right now.
From Susan@dcck:: I found the answer, that is wonderful!
From aretha@abelcks:: Susan, I didn't see them in DC, I did
however go to their office in DC. If I hadn't come to the
conference, I wouldn't have ever thought of it, so I am GRATEFUL
From Maryam@dcck:: Unfortunately for us, we are not
represented in Congress, so we have to find other ways and people to
lobby. Nancy just entered this room...
Submitted by
neda on 04/04/2002
From aretha@abelcks:: I asked them if they wanted to be on my
board of directors, and they were happy and really wanted to, but
they called the ethics committee and they told them that, they could
be, but if they were they couldn't help me get funding. So I had to
make a choice, but once we get going good, I wouldn't have it any
other way.
From aretha@abelcks:: Maryam, you have a Senator on DCCK
board right?
From Susan@dcck:: Hi Nancy, Nancy for Louisville? From Nancy:
What is the topic?
From Maryam@dcck:: Aretha, no we don't. We have a judge and
the former Secretary of Agriculture. From Nancy: Susan, yes it is
me.
From aretha@abelcks:: OHHHH I see.
From Maryam@dcck:: Hi Nancy. We're talking about starting and
maintaining a relationship with your members of Congress.
From Susan@dcck:: I question if having an elected official on
your board would help or hinder? Any thoughts? From Nancy: I wrote
Lugar and McConnells office when I got back, haven't heard anything.
From Susan@dcck:: My thought is the elected official could be
seen as having a conflict of interests? How about any of you guys,
thoughts?
From aretha@abelcks:: I think it would help you, the official
himself probably won’t make all the meetings, but having his/her
name on the board has some pull. From Nancy: I would think that it
might hinder if you are going for certain gov't grants.
From Maryam@dcck:: Nancy, based on Aretha's experience, you
actually need to make an appointment to go see them rather than send
a letter.
devra@thefoodprogram.org just entered this room...
From Susan@dcck:: But would it, couldn't it hurt if you go to
a corporation for funding and they lean heavily in one political
direction? From Nancy: I know, but I thought that I would at least
try.
From Susan@dcck:: Just think of how we all feel about the
current administration and their love of the oil companies?
From Susan@dcck:: Nancy do you have a stuttering problem?
From aretha@abelcks:: Nancy, I disagree, because they know
about the gov’t grants before we do, and another thing I found out
is that some of the guidelines that we don't fit (like been in
existence for 3 years) they could wave that if an official wrote a
letter of support.
From Nancy: I think that you could get yourself in trouble
with party silliness. Not that parties would take sides on hunger
issues!!!! (sarcasm)
From Nancy: A letter of support you can get without them
being on the Board. We get them a lot.
From aretha@abelcks:: Yes true, but the board thing was
another issue.
From Nancy: Susan, I think I have the hiccups!
From devra@thefoodprogram.org: I just wanted to check back in
and let you know that I have to run - I have to get to a meeting at
12 (PST) - As for Congress people on your Board - I think it's a
little sticky. How about getting FORMER congress people or local
supervisors instead?
devra@thefoodprogram.org just left this room...
From Susan@dcck:: Okay here is my stupid question, what do
you want your congress person to do for you? From Nancy: I have to
go and send a press release. Miss you all! Come to L'ville and
party.
From aretha@abelcks:: Help me reach people I can't reach.
From Maryam@dcck:: Bye, Nancy.
From Susan@dcck:: Nancy just wants an excuse to drink bourbon
From Nancy: Nancy just left this room... Nancy just entered this
room... From Nancy: Susan, I saw that just as I hit logoff. So, what
is your point? From Nancy: Nancy just left this room...
From Maryam@dcck:: I agree, Aretha, the board thing is a
whole other issue. It's very nice and encouraging that they've
agreed to be on your board.
From Susan@dcck:: Maryam, will a congressperson get people
you normally could find your self?
Submitted by
neda on 04/04/2002
b>From Susan@dcck:: This is a silly question as Maryam is sitting
across the room from me, but I am trying to pose question to a group
as a whole
From aretha@abelcks:: Yes, it is, you guys don't know what
I've been through here, DCCK is big, but when you're the person who
has birth this vision, EVERYONE COUNTS!
From Susan@dcck:: If you have a friend in a congress person
From Susan@dcck:: is that an immediate introduction to other
important partners?
From aretha@abelcks:: SAY AGAIN
From aretha@abelcks:: I have to say something about the
board, I asked the people in the office to be on the board, not the
congressman himself
From Maryam@dcck:: I would say definitely. Having a friend in
Congress automatically means you'll get access to people you
normally wouldn't.
From Susan@dcck:: Okay my question is answered.
From aretha@abelcks:: Yes
From Maryam@dcck:: Aretha, are they helping you in any other
way besides getting grants?
From Susan@dcck:: Another question from a person who didn't
take civics, What about state senators?
From aretha@abelcks:: Yes, we thought of three fund-raisers
this year, and they will help coordinate them.
From aretha@abelcks:: Susan the senator’s office was
different then this office, the people were just really open to
making a change here in Orlando with the kitchen movement.
From Maryam@dcck:: That sounds great. I hope everyone else
will be as successful as you've been.
From Susan@dcck:: That is so great, I think about your sense
of frustration the first time we chatted.
From Maryam@dcck:: What are the fundraisers you're planning?
From aretha@abelcks:: Susan, yeah, it was like must people
were saying come back and see me when you've been in existence for
12 years..
From aretha@abelcks:: Maryam, we are having a Back to School
Prayer Breakfast, Inviting Emeril to come, and gift wrapping doing
the holidays at the mall.
From Maryam@dcck:: Those sound great. You should definitely
try to get as much press out of those events as you can.
From aretha@abelcks:: Maryam, you bet! Especially if Emeril
comes, it will be a big one
From Susan@dcck:: Can I come if Emeril comes?
From Maryam@dcck:: Me too!
From aretha@abelcks:: Susan, please I would love for some
(all) of you to come, we're trying to do a two-day thing, One of the
other kitchens did it
From Susan@dcck:: Ladies I have work to do, what is the next
chat topic and when?
From Susan@dcck:: My suggestions is to do one on retention
fugues
From Susan@dcck:: figures
From Susan@dcck:: and standards to reflect retention
From aretha@abelcks:: Susan, that's a good question,
retention is a hard one, because you can't force people.
Submitted by
neda on 04/04/2002
br>From Maryam@dcck:: That sounds like a good topic, Susan.
Would you like to host the next chat? It will be on June 18.
From Maryam@dcck:: Aretha, is there anything else you'd like
people to know or be mindful of when they're trying to contact their
Congressmen?
From Susan@dcck:: What time !
From Maryam@dcck:: Susan, how's 3 pm?
From aretha@abelcks:: I can't think of anything else .
From Susan@dcck:: it is a date....
From Maryam@dcck:: Well, I guess that's it then. Aretha,
thank you so much for telling us all about your wonderful
experiences. I'm sorry more people couldn't participate.
From aretha@abelcks:: Maryam, thank you!
From Linda, ccsc: Well, I logged into the chat room at 5:00
to find out that the chat took place at 3:00! I can't get this
right. I wrote the next chat in my book. JUNE 18 AT
3:00!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really look forward to participating. I am so
challenged about this thing.
From Aretha: Just wanted to let everyone know that, on the
chat I think I mentioned that one of the Congressmen office staff
members adopted the kitchen. And they have arranged a meeting at
their office, for me to meet with 10 Pastors from the biggest
church's in the Central Florida area- to see how they can help the
kitchen. I'm sure it will be a big help to us, because there are so
many people who are going to church just wanted to find somewhere to
give back. I'll keep yall updated. Don't under-estimated how you can
benefit from Congressmen/Senators other than letters of support.
Their people who work for them want to help, plus it's good
publicity for them. Take care!
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