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High School Exchanges & Congress

Join Mark Overmann, Assistant Director & Senior Policy Specialist, as he guides you through the complexities of advocating for high school exchange programs on Capitol Hill. Discover the collective voice of the Alliance, a network of 75 member organizations supporting various exchange initiatives. Learn about pressing issues such as federal funding, J-1 regulations, and how to effectively communicate with Congressional staff. With Advocacy Day events approaching, equip yourself with the tools to be a successful advocate for the future of international exchange.

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High School Exchanges & Congress

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  1. High School Exchanges & Congress Understanding Capitol Hill and Becoming an Effective Advocate Mark Overmann Assistant Director & Senior Policy Specialist www.alliance-exchange.org

  2. What is the Alliance? Collective policy voice of international exchange community 75 member organizations that administer all types of exchange programs 16 high school exchange organizations Three key issues: Federal funding (for programs like YES, FLEX, ASMYLE, & CBYX) J-1 regulations Visas www.alliance-exchange.org

  3. You are not alone! Alliance Advocacy Day: March 1 72 participants visited 94 Congressional offices YES/ASMYLE Hill Day: February 29 ~100 students visited 150 Congressional offices NAFSA Advocacy Day: March 20 FLEX Hill Day: March 21 www.alliance-exchange.org

  4. Current Political Environment Election-year battle: partisan differences on how to address the budget continue Unprecedented level of scrutiny of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, namely Summer Work Travel Broad bipartisan support www.alliance-exchange.org

  5. Deconstructing a Congressional Office Congressional Office = Small Business Product/service = the Member Staffers’ job = to make ‘sales’ and get the boss re-elected Customers = Constituents/voters www.alliance-exchange.org

  6. Deconstructing a Congressional Office Who are Congressional staffers? Typical profile: Startlingly young: 112th Congress has seen influx of “Millenials/Facebook Generation” into positions of leadership (even chiefs of staff) Very smart Full range of temperaments Work ridiculous hours, deal with often ridiculous demands www.alliance-exchange.org

  7. Deconstructing a Congressional Office Who you might meet: Legislative Director Legislative Assistant Legislative Correspondent Foreign Policy Fellow… www.alliance-exchange.org

  8. Deconstructing a Congressional Office How do staffers get ahead? By being smart, effective, productive By serving and identifying constituent interests Translation: It’s their job to be interested in what you have to say Reason: Because you are the customer www.alliance-exchange.org

  9. Deconstructing a Congressional Office Why are staffers important? Shouldn’t I see the Member? Information overload – What sources do Congressional offices trust? Members use staff as filters – analyze, sort, and process information www.alliance-exchange.org

  10. Three Key Messages Impact (especially local impact) Cost effectiveness National security www.alliance-exchange.org

  11. Six Advocacy Principles Talk about what you know. Provide info,but keep it digestible. Know what your ask is. Be truthful. Say thank you. Talk about what you know. www.alliance-exchange.org

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