This document provides tips for students to effectively navigate meetings with policymakers in Washington D.C. It outlines steps to introduce yourself, describe your organization (HOSA), prepare for potential questions, ask questions of the policymaker, and end the meeting strongly by following up with a thank you. Key points are to promote HOSA's mission of supporting health science education and career opportunities for over 130,000 members nationwide. The document also suggests asking for a photo, following the policymaker on Twitter, and building a ongoing relationship.

2. Our Capitol was specifically designed to be a power city. Don’t be intimidated. Just prepare to make a powerful and positive impression!

3. Navigating Washington, DC NW NE SW SE

7. POLICY Who gets what? Why? What difference does it make?

8. POLICY Increase Quality of Life Right a Wrong Prevent End of Something Good

9. Basics Look (Hair, Makeup, Hands, Jewelry) Uniform – Pressed and Polished! Walk, Stand, Hands Handshakes Eye Contact Smiles Body Language Never Greet from Seat Introductions…May I present… Business Cards

10. HOSA Mission The mission of HOSA is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health science technology education students, therefore, helping students to meet the needs of the health care community.

11. Step 1: You Describe who you are (School, Grade, Town, Mom’s & Dad’s, Title/Position, and how many students and schools you represent; your job) What is HOSA? (you may need to use the full name as a historic reference to “fill in the acronym blank”) Why you are here today Make sure you knew about HOSA and the important work we’re doing back home Invite you to our organization Pledge our support for advances in health care and health science education

12. Step 2: HOSA All About HOSA 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Mission Founded 1976 Nearly 60 healthcare competitions 100% Healthcare 131,000 members nationwide 1 million estimated alumni

14. Johnson & Johnson

15. Kaiser Permanente

16. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

17. Marsh Affinity Group Services

18. Medical Library Association

19. NASCO

20. National AHEC

21. National Association of EMTs

22. National Assiocation of Parliamentarians

23. National Association of Secondary School Principals

24. National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical Education

25. National Athletic Trainer’s Association

26. National Consortium on Health and Science Technology Education

27. National Health Council

28. National Technical Honor Society

29. Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow

30. Nursing Organizations Alliance

31. Nursing Spectrum

32. Pearson/Prentice Hall

33. Pocket Nurse Enterprises, Inc.

34. President’s Volunteer Service Award Purell

35. Quarters From Kids Coalition

36. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

37. Sigma Theta Tau International

38. Traemus Books

39. USA TODAY

40. Health Professions Network

41. American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists

42. American Association for Respiratory Care

43. American Association of Medical Transcriptionists

44. American Cancer Society

45. American Careers

46. American Dental Assistants Association

47. American Dental Association

48. American Health Care Association

49. American Health Information Management Association

50. American Hospital Association

51. American Medical Association

52. American Medical Technologies

53. Applied Technologies

54. American Red Cross

55. American Society for Health Education and Training

56. American Society of Radiologic Technologists

57. Applied Technologies

58. Army ROTC (Nurse Recruiting)

59. Association for Career and Technical Education

60. Association of Operating Room Nurses

61. Autism Speaks

62. Cover the Uninsured Week

63. DCIM/Instructional Systems

64. Delmar Learning

65. Elsevier-Mosby Science

66. Fundamentals Co., Inc

67. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

69. Step 3: Questions to be Ready to Answer What is HOSA? How does HOSA work? Who is your leader? How are you structured? How are you funded? What do you do?

70. Step 4: Questions for Them Are you familiar with HOSA or student organization like ours? When are you coming back to the District/State—we’d love to have you visit our program? What are key education, family, community, career issues you are working on? How can we join in support you? Do you support organizations like ours? Are you affiliated with other student organizations? (e.g. 4-H, FFA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Scouts, CTSOs)

71. Step 5: Key Asks Invite to State Letter for our Conference Program Picture Proclamation Message for our Newsletter Listen to Connect to Their Network!

72. Step 6: End Strong Exchange Business Cards Email & Fax a Thank You If you put in newsletter, send a copy or fax Excited to meet with you. Thank you for your time, we know you have many important issues you’re working on. We’ll be sure to tell all the folks back home how great you are!

73. LEG LINGO Multiple indicators for assessing academic proficiency Academics are integrated into programs and competitions, so HOSA supports student achievement in academics Number of students in CTE: over 16 million students as of 2007; 250% increase in enrollment While every 26 seconds a student may drop out of school; we are proud that every 17 seconds a student joins a CTSO like HOSA. As a nation we need to work to make this one student per second getting a career and college advantage through a CTSO like HOSA.

74. TIPS Ask for a Picture Get the Twitter Account of Your Congressional Member Send positive messages via Twitter about your experience and contact Follow them on Twitter Pre- and Post-Tweet Follow up…build the relationship!