Notes:
1.  Place your phone calls to all members in Congress in your state on or about January 17th.  If there is more than one UCGIS member institution in your state you might want to split up the calls.
2.  Record information as shown on the script below and ship it after each call to Susan McDonald Jampoler at execdir@ucgis.org.
3.  If you are asked whether you will be attending, please be prepared to provide an answer.  Yes, I have already booked my flight.....Not at present but I am willing to reschedule my university classes and fly down if Congressman XXX or one of your staff is able to attend.....No, I have a major conflict but I would still highly encourage one of your staff to be there since we think this important for our state.....etc.  

SCRIPT

1.  Hello.  My name is ___________ and I am a professor at the University of XXX.

2.  I’m calling about an invitation that Senator/Representative ________________ received to attend a morning briefing on February 8th, showcasing geographic information science research, and a reception on that evening where University of XXX will be displaying our research projects and education programs.  The meetings are sponsored by the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS).  I also sent a follow-up letter.  Are you the appropriate person for me to talk to?
Name of person talked to: ______________________________
Are you the scheduling person who knows about all invitations and their status? 
Name of scheduling person  _________________________

3.  The reason for my call is to determine whether you have any questions that I may be able to answer about the reception or about our geographic information research and teaching activities at the University.

(I don’t know the answer to that one but I will find out from our Director/President/Meeting organizer and get right back to you: 
Susan McDonald Jampoler-(703) 779-7980 ucgis@geoknow.com, 
Greg Elmes  (304) 293-5603 x4325, elmes@geo.wvu.edu
Harlan Onsrud 207-581-2175 onsrud@spatial.maine.edu)

4.  Do you know yet whether Senator/ Representative XXXXX, or any of your science and technology staff will be attending?  YES  NO  Other: _____________________________

Is there a person on your staff who we can follow up with in the future on technology issues?
Name of staff person that focuses on technology issues _________________________  
E-mail ______________________________

5.  We think the goal of UCGIS in directing geographic information research towards critical national needs is important to the nation.   It is also important to our research and information technology efforts here in the State of XXX.  Thanks for considering our request.  If you need any further information please don’t hesitate to call me.

Further comments from phone call: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At the end of your call, please send by e-mail the information you gathered to execdir@ucgis.org.  PLEASE PLACE THE CONGRESS PERSON’S NAME IN THE TITLE OF THE E-MAIL MESSAGE.