Organizer and Attendee Guide
for the Campaign to Ban Congressional Stock Trading

We're building a nationwide movement of everyday people to stop one of the most outrageous forms of corruption in Washington: Members of Congress trading stocks while writing laws that affect the market.

Our strategy is simple but powerful: meet with your Member of Congress (or their staff) in their local district office, and urge them to support a discharge petition that forces a vote on a ban. We're organizing small, local groups—typically 5–10 people—to make these meetings happen across the country.

You don't need political experience. You don't need to be an expert. You just need to be a constituent who cares.

Everyone in your group will have a role to play. Here's how it works:

Roles in a Local Lobbying Group

  • The Scheduler

    The person who gets the meeting on the calendar. You'll call or visit the local office, follow up, and confirm logistics.

  • The First Speaker

    The person who leads the meeting. You'll introduce the group, present the purpose of the meeting, and make the core ask.

  • All Attendees

    Everyone else in the group. Your job is to show up, support the message, and help demonstrate that local voters care about this issue.

We'll provide training, materials, and support—including a Zoom prep call to answer your questions and walk through everything before your meeting.

Guide for the Scheduler

Your job is to get the meeting scheduled with your Representative or their staff at the local district office. This is the most important first step of the campaign!

What You'll Do

  • Call the office of your Member of Congress
  • Ask to schedule a meeting with the Representative or a staff member
  • Be polite but persistent—many people give up too early, but that's where you can shine

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Find the Office Information

2. Call the Office

  • Use this sample script when you call:
"Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I live in the district. I'm part of a small group of constituents who want to schedule a short meeting with Representative [Last Name] or a staffer. We'd like to discuss the issue of banning stock trading by members of Congress, which the Representative has publicly supported. Do you have any openings in the next couple of weeks?"
  • Be friendly, confident, and clear
  • If they say the scheduler isn't available: ask when to call back
  • If they ask for your request in writing, ask for the best email address and send a short message confirming your request

3. If They Don't Respond—Persist

  • Follow up every 2–3 days
  • Leave polite voicemails and repeat your ask clearly
  • If there's no answer after multiple calls, visit the office in person during business hours to drop off your request

4. Once You Get a Date

  • Confirm it with the group leader
  • Ask how many people they'll allow in the meeting
  • Let the office know who will attend (names and city of residence is enough)

Guide for the First Speaker

You'll open the meeting, introduce your group, and explain why you're there. You're the face of your group—and your job is to set a respectful, confident tone.

What You'll Do

  • Bring printed materials for the office (provided by the campaign)
  • Lead the introductions
  • Frame the meeting and present the central message
  • Make the main "ask": that the Representative sign the discharge petition for the stock trading ban

Before the Meeting

  • Print 4–5 copies of the handout we'll provide (one for the office, extras just in case)
  • Review our suggested talking points (we'll email or post them ahead of time)
  • Prepare your own version of the opening script if you'd like—it doesn't need to be word-for-word

What You'll Say (General Outline)

"Hi, thanks so much for meeting with us today. We're all constituents from the district, and we're here because we care deeply about restoring trust in Congress. We want to thank the Representative for supporting the idea of banning congressional stock trading—and we're here to ask that they help make a floor vote happen by signing a discharge petition."
  • You'll then invite others to share their stories or points (we'll go over this on a prep call)

If They Push Back

  • Don't worry! We'll provide guidance on how to respond to common questions soon.
  • We'll also have a big Zoom call with everyone before your meeting, so you feel fully prepared.

Guide for All Attendees

Your presence shows that this issue matters to real people in the district. You don't need to be an expert—just be yourself. That's what makes these meetings powerful.

What You'll Do

  • Attend the meeting with your team
  • Introduce yourself briefly
  • Listen actively and back up your group lead
  • Optionally: share a short personal reason why you care about this issue

What to Prepare

  • Think about what you might say if invited to share. It can be very short:
    • "I just think Members of Congress should have to play by the same rules as the rest of us."
    • "I'm not a political person, but this is basic fairness."
  • No need to have a script—we'll go over ideas and practice during our prep Zoom call

How to Show Up

  • Be polite, calm, and confident
  • Dress neatly (business casual is great, but not required)
  • You don't have to be an expert—your job is to show you care and that this issue has local support

Ready to make a difference?

Join our movement to ban congressional stock trading!

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