3.+Contacting+Alabama's+Congressional+Representatives

Our first priority is to arrange congressional meetings with the congressional offices in our delegation.

PLEASE FIND OUT WHO YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE IS - Research any particular issues, bills, or other matters they are working on and/or are passionate about!

The Hill Day appointments run between 9:00 am and noon, and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Whenever possible, the meetings for each group (many states will only have one group) should be limited to no more than five, and spaced an hour apart. Groups of NBCTs can range in size from two to four or five. House member offices are very cramped and often meet in the reception area, so coming in with a dozen folks doesn’t work well. You will save much wear and tear on your feet if you schedule the meetings with Senate offices back to back to minimize running back and forth across the Capitol grounds.

Topics of Discussion: Some offices will ask what topics you wish to cover in your meeting. If you get this question, here are the main points that we will ask that you cover in your meeting. (You will receive much more “messaging” information closer to the Forum; this is just to respond to any requests as you schedule your meeting.

1) The value that you and other NBCTs, bring to the classroom. There is new research which indicates that NBCTs improve teaching and learning in the classrooms.

2) You will also have a list of all of the NBCTs in each congressional office. Be sure to mention that you are asking for the meeting on behalf of all of the NBCTs from that district/state.

3) The importance of the approximately $10 million in funding the National Board receives annually from Congress. The majority of this funding is used to pay for assessment fees for candidates and to fund initiatives to bring NBCTs to high need schools.

4) NBPTS is moving forward to develop new certificates for principals and instructional leaders. You will be able to discuss this exciting new initiatiative!