This information has been adapted from materials prepared by the American Friends Service Committee, Iowans for Sensible Priorities, and Patrick Carkin at birddogger.org.

1. Find out where the member will be and when by checking their website, getting onto their mailing list, and calling their local campaign office. The phone number is usually available on the campaign web site.

2. Know the member’s position. Ask a question that shows you know something about the member’s position (ex: “You have said you’d like to open ANWR up for more drilling …” ” You have said you would like to do something about the high price of fuel for your constituencies…”), and link it to a question about a transition to a green energy future (” … would you then support subsidies for renewable energy sources as an alternative and more positive way to address national fuel security issues?”).

3. Have your question ready. Make sure your question is brief, fact-based and direct. Practice asking your question to yourself and with family or friends until you can do it without notes and in your regular cadence. It’s good to have a second question ready, in case someone asks yours before you have a chance to.

4.  Work the media! Media is an important tool for activists to get their message across to a wider audience.  If the media is paying attention to you, so will your member of Congress!  Read our media tips to help you prepare for working with the media.

5. Arrive and ask your question early. If there is a question-and-answer session you’ll want to be close enough for the member to see you and call on you.  When members invite questions, most people will not immediately raise their hands. If you do, you are more likely to be called upon.

6. Be calm and reasonable. Maintaining a respectful tone will get a more positive response from the candidate, their staff and the news media. People who are angry, sarcastic or emotional will be ignored. You can even start your question by praising something the member has just said in her or his prepared remarks (ex: “Senator, I really appreciate your call for cutting the $6 Billion in Big Oil subsidies. A group of energy experts has shown that the barriers to a transition to a clean and just energy economy are political, not technical … “)

7. Be in the member’s path. Many members want to shake hands and meet as many people as possible at these events. The informal, unscripted contacts are extra opportunities to ask your questions. Position yourself in the member’s path, and ask your question as you’re gripping his or her hand.

8. Bring other people with you. Since bird-dogging can make some people nervous, it is good to go in teams of two or more people. Not standing together will also improve the odds that more than one of you will get to ask the question. Be prepared to ask a follow up question if you feel the member dodged your question or it you want more details.

9. Take notes. The only way to track the responses of members is to have a record of what they said. It is also helpful to have notes if you are trying to frame a follow-up question. If you have a friend with you, each of you can write down the response to the other’s question.

10. Be creative and improvise when necessary. Being a bird-dogger is not just about asking questions. Passing out Oil Change information, stickers, oily dollar bills, in or in front of the event can also raise public and member awareness.

11. Share what you have learned. Back in your car, or at home, take a few moments to jot down what you asked the member and what her or his response was. Please send information to info @ priceofoil.org. Another great way to share what you learned is to train other people to bird-dog!