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Custom
On-Site Training
Capitol Hill
Workshop
(also tailored as Legislative-Executive Workshop)
The definitive overview of how
Congress works.
(Our public
Capitol
Hill Workshop)
One of our
most-popular custom training programs, the Capitol Hill
Workshop has been tailored for federal agencies to give
diverse staff a solid overview of Congress and how Capitol
Hill works.
This is for your staff who need
to know
- Congressional
procedure
- How policy is made
in Washington
-
Executive-Legislative relations
- Congressional budgeting
- How to work with
Hill staff
- Basic Congressional
procedures
Custom versions of
the Capitol Hill Workshop are given for executives, managers,
military officers,
technical staff, attorneys, analysts and others who need a solid overview
of Congress.This congressional briefing workshop is designed for
executives, federal employees GS-13 and above, military officers, supervisory personnel,
SES, and Leadership
Development participants, to
meet these leadership competencies: Strategic Vision, Planning and Quality; Identifying/Integrating Key Issues; Setting Work Priorities; Balancing National/Local Interests; Problem Anticipation/Adjustment; Managing Budgetary Processes; and Senior Level Communication.
The Capitol Hill Workshop
can be designed as a 3, 4, or 5 day program. There is
also a special Defense
Capitol Hill Workshop available.
Capitol Hill Workshop
materials can include the Training Editions of these
publications:
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Custom Training
Information |
Sample
4-day
Agenda |
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Day One |
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Welcome and Introductions
The Dynamics of Congress
An expert on Congress will discuss the dynamics of the legislative process and the three key elements that drive today's institution: politics, policy, and procedure. She will illuminate the differences between the House and Senate and the nature of the 111th Congress. Be apprised of what is happening during the second session of the 111th Congress.
Today’s Legislative Process
The instructor will briefly review how a bill becomes a law by tracking legislation from introduction and referral to committee, through committee hearings and markups, floor consideration, to final passage and presidential action.
Politics and Leadership in the Current
Congress
The instructor will examine the formal and informal leadership structures in the House and Senate, as well as the politics and personalities of the major players in Congress. He will focus on key leadership players and committee assignments and comment on the 111th Congress in terms of leadership and issues.
Policy Making in Washington
Policy development and decision making in Congress are influenced by many forces. Learn how this occurs in macro and micro settings. Discussion will include the role of the electorate and political parties, as well as Congress’ interactions with the White House, executive agencies, the media, and other political players. The instructor will assess what these factors mean for policy making in Congress.
Congressional Hearing Information and
Instructions for Day Two
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Day Two |
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Attend Congressional Hearings
Lunch --
Discussion: Congressional Hearings and Testimony
The instructor will lead a discussion on the dynamics and environment of congressional hearings, drawing on the reflections from the class. He will focus on the essential elements of an effective and successful hearing and effective congressional testimony—from the perspectives of both the committee and the witness.
Communicating Effectively with Congress
This session will provide an overview of the current political environment on Capitol Hill and the role of lobbying in today’s legislative process. Discussion will focus on how outside interests, including executive agencies, can educate and communicate effectively with members of Congress and staff to build positive working relationships. The instructor will provide practical suggestions for interacting with members of Congress, as well as important "do's" and "don'ts" of communicating with Congress since September 11 and the discovery of anthrax in congressional mail.
Presidential-Congressional Relations
The instructor will examine how acts by the U.S. Congress have helped create the institutional presidency, and shifted the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. He will discuss the implications for the working relationship between the 111th Congress and the Obama White House.
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Day Three
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Congressional Relations from a Congressional
Liaison Perspective
A representative from the [client's] liaison office will discuss the role of congressional liaison offices in establishing and building working relationships with Congress, both committees of jurisdiction and personal offices of members. He will discuss the organization and responsibilities of his legislative affairs team, how a legislative affairs shop can educate and work most effectively with Capitol Hill, and lobbying restrictions of which to be aware.
The Role of the Executive Branch in the
Legislative Process
The instructor will examine the role of the executive branch in the legislative process from initial proposal, to draft legislation, through congressional consideration, to signing ceremony in the Rose Garden. Discussion will include the important role of the Office of Management and Budget in the formulation and approval of legislation and the president’s official policy program.
A Former Member’s Perspective on Politics
and Policy
A former Member of Congress will comment on the many pressures and responsibilities that a member must balance in day-to-day decision and policymaking. Discussion will include how members advance their legislative and political agenda; manage their offices; handle fund raising and press operations; get reelected; and more.
Tour and Viewing of
Floor Action in House and Senate
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Day Four |
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Congressional Budgeting Today
This session will provide an introduction to the congressional budget process and the current politics of budgeting. The instructor will review the major players, procedures, and timing of decisions. The President’s budget, authorizations, appropriations, and reconciliation will be covered, enabling participants to see the "big picture" of federal budgeting.Campaign and Election Trends and Their
Impact
The instructor will take an insightful look at trends in how campaigns, political communication and elections are conducted in the United States, citing examples from 2008 campaigns. He will review the current political landscape of the U.S. and interpret what it means for future elections.
How the Media Covers the Big Beats: The
White House, Capitol Hill, and Pentagon
An experienced reporter will discuss who comprises the Washington press corps, and how they cover the big beats in DC. Questions to be addressed include: how forthcoming are these institutions with information, what role does the media play in shaping policy debate in these institutions, and what role does it play in elections, campaigns, and a "war" environment.
The Work of Personal and Committee Staff
A congressional staff member will discuss the work environment on the Hill including the positions and responsibilities of committee and personal staff, and the organization of congressional offices. He will focus on what staffers need or expect from outside interests, and how these interests can build strong working relationships with staffers and the Hill. He will also reveal his insights into the dynamics and agendas of his office.
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Lunches and breaks scheduled as appropriate
All custom training is
tailored for each organization and audience. Topics from
this program can be combined with topics from our other
programs and with topics from your existing training
programs.
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Sample Agendas
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Sample agendas of
different versions
of this program
tailored for previous custom clients are available:
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Our public
3-day
Capitol Hill Workshop
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1-day
"mini" Capitol Hill Workshop
2-page PDF
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4-day program for a federal Agency
5-page PDF
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4-day program with Defense emphasis
5-page
PDF
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3-day Legislative-Executive Workshop as part of a
5-day program that included a 2-day Advanced Federal Budget Process session for
a federal agency
6-page PDF
See our Sample
Agendas page for more.
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Audience Level |
The
Capitol Hill Workshop gives a broad overview of how
Capitol Hill works and how policy is made. All will
gain valuable insight and perspective, regardless of
Hill experience.
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Audience Size |
This
program is most effective for between 25 and 35
attendees.
Don't have enough
people for a custom, on-site program? You can still train your staff at
our public
Capitol Hill Workshop.
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Previous Clients |
Variations
of this program have been presented for various
organizations, including numerous federal
agencies and military departments.
Our selected
client list includes clients who have purchased
custom training, sent staff to our public programs
and who have purchased our publications.
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Faculty |
A
team of more than 12 independent subject matter
experts,
each with at least 10 years' experience in observing
or working with or in Congress, teach this intensive
3-day seminar.
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Rave Reviews
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"Provides excellent
insight into legislative workings of Congress which will
only improve our abilities to work with Congress.
Great & insightful presentations. Wonderful
workshop! Thanks for attention to details." Chief
of Contracting, U.S. Air Force
"Best seminar ever."
Systems Analyst, DFAS
"I initially dreaded spending four days away from the office in a
seminar but now consider the four days the best I have experienced all year. I
learned so much -- general and specific. Got great ideas and ways of working with
the Hill." Assistant Director of Congressional Relations, Vanderbilt University
"Excellent choice of
presenters. Would recommend this workshop to
anybody interested in learning how Washington really
works." Program Manager, FAA
"What an outstanding
3 days! A wonderful use of my time. All aspects of
this program were useful." Director, Public
Affairs, Fortune 500 company
"Taught me how to
communicate effectively with House and Senate members."
Workshop Attendee, Navy Sea Systems
"What an extraordinary
group of speakers. All were extremely dynamic
speakers." Senior Administrator, Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory
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Course Materials |
Workshop
materials include copies of the Training Editions of the
Congressional
Deskbook and
Persuading Congress, and the then-available Congressional
Directory for each attendee.
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Length and Location |
Requires 3 to 5
days.
This program is best held in
Washington, DC. Some sessions can be presented anywhere in the
United States and in many foreign countries.
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Internal Marketing |
To
help you
publicize and market a custom program to your
organization's audience, we can provide printed
materials and language for your own internal
promotion and publicity.
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Fee |
The
fee for this program depends on the location, number
of attendees, length, and training materials.
Call us for details, or complete our custom
program information request for more
information.
If you
don't have enough people for a custom, on-site program,
you can still train your staff at our public
course.
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What is included in the fee? |
TheCapitol.Net
tailors each program to meet your training and
educational objectives. Before we issue a cost
proposal, we will work with you to tailor a program
to meet your training objectives.
The
program
fee includes pre-program development and design,
materials for your internal marketing and promotion,
all course materials, and
faculty chosen for your topic and your audience
at the time and location you choose. Our
custom program clients provide the classroom/meeting
space, all audio visual equipment, any food and
beverages, all registration functions, and travel
arrangements for attendees. When the program is held
outside the Washington, DC metro area, travel
arrangements for faculty can be made by the client
or by us.
We can also provide meeting space,
audio visual equipment, food and beverage,
registration, and travel arrangements, though this
affects program cost.
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FAQs |
See
FAQs
About Our Custom On-Site Training.
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Payment |
Payment methods we accept for custom training
include checks and EFT/ACH.
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About Us |
TheCapitol.Net,
Inc., is a non-partisan small business,
and a Virginia corporation. We are registered
with CCR. See our
About Us page or our
Capability
Statement for more details. Our
FEIN: 54-1917701
DUNS: 04-273-5071
CAGE: 1K5S4
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Related Custom
Training |
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Related Resources |
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Need more
information? |
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Non-Partisan |
TheCapitol.Net is a
non-partisan firm, and the opinions of its faculty,
authors, clients and the owners and operators of its vendors are
their own and do not represent those of TheCapitol.Net. |
TheCapitol.Net is a
non-partisan firm, and the opinions of its faculty,
clients and the owners and operators of its vendors are
their own and do not represent those of TheCapitol.Net.
URLs: www.TheCapitol.Net/CustomPrograms/chw3agenda.html
www.LegislativeTraining.com
Last updated:
September 02, 2010
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