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![]() Course materials include the Training Edition of Testifying Before Congress | By William N. LaForge"This informative 'how-to' guide should be required reading for every new congressional staffer and for the congressional relations staff of every federal department and agency." -- Lawrence Baca, President, Federal Bar Association, and Deputy Director of the Office of Tribal Justice in the Department of Justice (Retired) More Reviews |
We review the role of committees, types of committees and subcommittees, the hearing process in Congress, types of committee hearings, role of the committee chairman in hearings, the role committee staff play in deciding hearing subject matter, selecting witnesses, and preparing questions.
Congressional Hearings: A Staff Perspective
A panel of committee staff members describe the work and organization of their committees, how these committees prepare for hearings, what staff and members expect from witnesses, and how witnesses from executive branch agencies and other organizations can build a good working relationship with committee staff before, during, and after hearings. The staffers will also discuss what they, and members of Congress, believe makes effective testimony, and provide suggestions for witnesses preparing for hearings.
Testimony Preparation and Rehearsal
The instructor reviews all aspects of testimony preparation, including research preparation, audience analysis and the process of persuasion, key documents to be prepared before the hearing and how to effectively use each one, and rehearsing and mock hearings.
Testimony Delivery
How to format and organize testimony in a way that improves oral delivery, review tone, body language, and gestures, and when and how to use visual aids during a hearing.
Examples of Effective and Non-effective Testimony and Question-and-Answer Techniques
Witness/member of Congress dynamics, the "art" of responding to questions, the importance of preparing written "Q-and-A modules" for all anticipated questions, and other important tools and techniques will be presented. Participants will view video footage of actual congressional hearings that illustrate key do's and don'ts.
Homework for Advanced Practicum
Homework distributed for those attending the Advanced Practicum the following day.
If you need help deciding which courses you should take based on your work experience or training, please contact us via email or phone: 202-678-1600.
- This Sponsored Course Requires One (1) Day
For a map with a brief list of hotels near the Capitol, click here. When we arrange space, we use these Washington, DC, locations.
Approved for .6 CEUs from George Mason University.
This is
a Congressional
Fellows and Presidential Management Fellows Training course.
All statements and discussion at all of our courses, workshops and seminars, public and custom, are off the record and not for attribution, unless specified otherwise. The resulting confidentiality ensures a frank and free exchange of views.
Fax or Mail: Print out and complete the registration form (in Adobe pdf). The completed form should include your method of payment.
Fax the completed form to us at 202-688-2424.
Mail the completed form to us at TheCapitol.Net, Inc., PO Box 25706, Alexandria, VA 22313-5706
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This Sponsored Course Requires One Day
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Approved for .6 CEUs from George Mason University.
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All of our courses and workshops include extensive interaction with our faculty, making our courses and workshops both educational and mini-consulting sessions with substantive experts.
Rave Reviews
"Would encourage people to do this earlier in their career when they start writing testimony. All sessions very useful! Great course!"
"The course is good for people who do lots of presentations as well as Congressional testimony. Well done!"
"This will be extremely helpful in prepping and calming first-time witnesses and in drafting oral testimony. I especially appreciated the research tips."
-- Policy Analyst, federal agency
"This is one of the best public communication seminars I've ever attended."
"Good, practical advice and insights on how to prepare and deliver testimony to Congress. Practical and worthwhile"
"Although I live on the Hill and know many staffers, this seminar really helped me to understand what they do and how hearings work."
See more testimonials about this course.
Faculty
Taught by faculty who have a minimum of 10 years' experience working with and helping agency and corporate staff prepare for testifying before congressional committees.
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Steven KellerWalter OleszekJames ThurberOur ClientsCongressional OfficesFederal AgenciesMilitaryNGOs and NonprofitsDiplomatic CorpsFortune 500Law FirmsLobbying FirmsLabor UnionsAssociations Also See Tips for Visual Layout of Oral Statement when Testifying Before Congress
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