Travis Sines, a staffer from the field office of a Member of Congress in the Seattle area, will give you the basics on how a Congressional office works -- and what works in contacting a Congressional Office. There are certain "do's and dont's" in getting your message across to Congress, and the staffer will discuss the most effective techniques. Who are the individuals among Congressional Staff you should contact and the kind of information they need and want -- and the best way to convey it. The staffer will also discuss the importance of constituent involvement in the policy-making process and, ideally, offer some anecdotes from the public policy trenches.