In addition, CMF and Zogby International will be providing conference participants with a preview of an upcoming report from CMF that will help Congress better understand the other side of the communications equation: how citizens feel about their interactions with their Members of Congress.  The forthcoming report will detail the results of a nationwide survey which identifies the perceptions that citizens and the grassroots community have of their communications to Congress.  This is the first time this data will be made available to the public.

"We hope that CMF's Communicating with Congress project," Bell continued, "will lead to a new model for communications between constituents and their elected officials.  The free flow of ideas and opinions is essential and fundamental to a representational government."

WHAT:      An conference on improving communications between Members of Congress and their constituents.

WHO:        Experts on communications, including representatives from congressional offices, House and Senate institutional offices, citizen groups, communications vendors, academia, and the technology industry.

WHEN:     Monday, October 1, 2007 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:   Reserve Officers Association, One Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C.

PRESS:      An RSVP is required.  Members of the media wishing to attend the conference should contact Tim Hysom at 202-546-0100.

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Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2007, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting a more effective Congress.   Since 1977 CMF has worked internally with Member offices, committees, leadership, and institutional offices in the House and Senate to foster improved management practices through staff training, office consultations, publications on best practices, and technology research.  Simply put, CMF advocates good government through good management.  For more information, contact CMF at (202) 546-0100 or www.cmfweb.org.