When setting up an office, CMF recommends that newly-elected Members should focus their attention on five tasks. The tasks are: (1) creating a first-year budget; (2) creating a management structure for the office; (3) hiring a core staff; (4) deciding whether to upgrade the computer system inherited from a predecessor; and (5) opening a district or state office by January 1.

“The biggest mistake new Members make is trying to do too much too fast. They spread themselves too thin and spend too little time on the most critical and pressing decisions,” explained Beverly Bell, Executive Director of CMF.

“Hastily made decisions in November and December, such as opening up too many district/state offices, choosing the wrong committees or not hiring the right staff, can hamper Members-elect for their entire congressional careers.”

Setting Course also provides chapter by chapter guidance to Members-elect on critical topics such as: managing the first 60 days (from election day to swearing-in; jockeying for committee assignments; hiring your staff; deciding how many district/state offices to open and where to locate them; defining your role in Congress; and understanding and adapting to the culture of Congress.

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CMF is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation which for over 30 years has sought to increase the effectiveness of Congress by providing critical management guidance to congressional offices through publications, training programs and office consulting. In conjunction with the House Chiefs of Staff Association, CMF will conduct a day-long orientation program for the incoming staff of Members-Elect on November 19.