1 – Review and familiarize yourself with the general content of the Messaging Document provided below. This document covers the basics of a High Performance Building, the High Performance Building Caucus (HPBC) and the Coalition (HPBCCC) that assists the Caucus in its activities. Realize where you, your industry, and your Congressional District fit within the context of High Performance Buildings. Feel free to add in your own additional message points – perhaps on the importance of the stimulus, tax incentives, jobs growth, or energy policy issues that reflect the interests of your industry association and your State and City.

2 – Use the routing information made available to you on this page to identify the most-desirable method of contacting your member of Congress.

3 – Prepare and deliver your message. Use information from the Messaging Document as additional backup if needed. Top-targeted messages are as follow:

A. AS A HOUSE LEGISLATOR, JOIN THE CAUCUS: As my representative in Congress, you should join the High Performance Building Congressional Caucus (HPBCC) because it covers all of the integrated issues that matter to me, facing Congress and the nation today – energy efficiency, building design, sustainability, and many others. It is the one-stop-shop for legislators looking to remain engaged and aware of all of these pressing issues, and it is supported by a strong coalition formed from the most-broadly represented building industry interests. If they are already a member of the caucus thank them for their support and interest in high-performance buildings and let them know you are a resource within their community. B. CUSTOMIZE YOUR ADDITIONAL MESSAGE POINTS : High Performance Buildings are good for the economy because they require design/build/renovation expertise that will create jobs on every level from the architect to the applicator. HPBs save energy, reducing the U.S. reliance upon international energy sources, and allowing redirection of funding that would go overseas, to be directed at beneficial, economy-replenishing interests here in the U.S. This is your chance to integrate some additional message important to you and your community, dealing with jobs-creation, stimulus, the economy, energy efficiency, etc.

• Telephoning Your Representatives —
  Congressional telephone numbers can be found on the House of Representatives website. Alternatively, the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 can provide your Senator’s and/or Representative’s office. Telephone calls are usually screened by a staff member. Ask to speak with the aide responsible for the relevant issue (most likely energy and environment or infrastructure). After initial identification (particularly that you live/work in the member’s district), tell the aide a brief message, such as: “Please encourage Representative (Name) to join the High-Performance Building Caucus.” State the reasons for your support using the fact sheets provided and any information relevant to your state or district (e.g., my company develops products used in high-performance buildings and we have 100 employees in your district).
  
  
  
• Tips on Writing Congress —
  Letters are the most popular communication choice for congressional offices. Below is a suggestions list to improve a letter’s effectiveness:
  • State in the purpose in the first paragraph of the letter. Specifically identify your request for the member to join the High-Performance Building Caucus.
  • Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples from the fact sheets and local characteristics to support positions.
  • Address only one issue per letter; and, if possible, limit to one page.
    
    
    
• Tips on E-mailing Congress —
  Most, but not all, Congress Members accept e-mail. It has rapidly become the preferred constituent communication tool. Congress receives thousands of email daily, making it very important to send email so it does not get lost in the masses. Use the same guidelines as writing an effective letter. Representative email addresses can be accessed directly from the House of Representatives website.
  

HPBCCC Member Organizations may use the image above on their webpage to indicate their participation.