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Host an Event

Invite your senators and representative to a RIF event or book distribution that takes place at your site. Many senators and representatives are in their home states or districts on Monday and Friday and during various recesses. These are ideal times to extend an invitation. Most offices require a written invitation. It should be faxed to the home office, not Washington, DC.

It is especially important to give members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee (the committees that fund RIF) a chance to see a RIF program in action in their home state.

• The sooner you plan your event the better, as public officials' schedules fill up rapidly. Extend invitations to members of Congress at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance and a minimum of 4 weeks for state, county, and local officials.
  
  
• Use the zip code search box on the right to obtain contact information for members of Congress and for state and local officials.
  
  
• Call the public official's office to determine the name of his or her scheduler. This is the person you will be communicating with the most. (When inviting a member of Congress, contact a local district office first.)
  
  
• Fax or mail an invitation. Use your organization's letterhead and include the scheduler's name in an attention line in the salutation.
  
  
• If possible, include a detailed schedule of the day's events with the invitation.
  
  
• Approximately one week after extending the invitation, contact the scheduler to verify it was received and inquire about the public official's willingness to participate.
  
  
• If possible, be open to adjusting the date or time of your event to accommodate their schedules.

• Members of Congress generally reserve Fridays through Mondays to visit with people back home.
  
  
• There are several periods throughout the year that allow legislators to spend longer periods of time back home. Visit the When to Act section to find the Congressional calendar for information.

• Emphasize the effectiveness of your RIF program and how RIF services make a difference in your community and in the lives of the children you serve. Highlight the impact your program has had on children's reading motivation and/or achievement. Mention your community partnerships and supporters.

• Remember to thank him or her! We recommend sending a thank-you letter with notes or drawings from the children, a photo of the guest, and any news clippings or media coverage of the event.
  
  
• Encourage him or her to participate in your events again. Keep in touch!