News

To the Editor-

In their November 22 article "Constituents' E-Mail on XM Deal Not Well Received" Birnbaum and Hart raise a critical issue to our democracy.  Policy-makers in the Executive and Legislative Branches feel overwhelmed by citizen communications, and, because so much of it is identical, they find it increasingly difficult to manage and trust. 

Policy-makers' distrust of citizens' messages can make them less inclined to consider public comment in their decisions.  This not only undermines public opinion of the issue at hand, it undermines the very foundation of civic participation.  This skepticism, in turn, can lead to public apathy. In a democracy, citizens' voices must be heard, but they must be the genuine voices of real citizens.  Technology offers great promise for citizen engagement, but it also provides tools for ersatz advocacy and disingenuous tactics. 

To help realize the promise and eliminate the bad practices, the Congressional Management Foundation is working with Congress, the public affairs community, technology vendors and others to devise recommendations for citizen participation in ways policy-makers can trust and value.  Only through understanding and collaboration can technology be employed in ways that will enhance public participation and benefit both citizens and policy-makers in the long run.

Sincerely,

Beverly Bell
Executive Director
Congressional Management Foundation

CMF and Zogby Also Preview National Poll Detailing Citizen Perceptions of Congressional Communications 

 

The lightning speed and ease of Internet messaging combined with the anthrax attacks on the Capitol, which led to irradiation of postal mail, has led to a great deal of frustration on both sides of the congressional constituent communications equation. The senders (citizens, advocacy groups, public affairs organizations) are frustrated because they feel their messages are not being heard, and the receivers (congressional offices) are frustrated because the volumes are becoming unmanageable and it is increasingly difficult to tell the difference between grassroots communications and "astroturf." Ultimately, however, both the senders and the receivers of these communications have the same goal: to enable citizens to effectively communicate their views to their representatives in Congress.

Through the Communicating with Congress Conference, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) is providing a forum for all sides of the communications equation to come together. "We hope that this conference will facilitate information sharing, education, and problem-solving by everyone involved in communications to and from Members of Congress," said Beverly Bell, the Executive Director of CMF.

Following are select articles quoting or featuring the Congressional Management Foundation. (Note: articles will open in new window.)

Following are select articles (from 2007-2018) quoting or featuring the Congressional Management Foundation. (Note: articles will open in new window.)

Comprehensive Study Examines Quality of 615 House and Senate Web Sites, Finds Quality Disappointing

Contact: Beverly Bell/Tim Hysom, 202-546-0100 

WASHINGTON—A new report card on congressional Web sites from the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) says the overall quality is "disappointing" with over a third of the congressional Web sites earning a substandard or failing grade. There was also recognition and praise for the best Web sites on Capitol Hill with the announcement of the winners of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Mouse Awards.

Resources for a congressional office are given to Members and their staff by Congress and paid for by the American taxpayer. Spent wisely, those resources can greatly boost chances of success and achievement in Congress.

Due to recent budget cuts to congressional offices, CMF is offering resources on budgeting and financial management as well as some tips on handeling the budget cuts.

Contact: Kathy Goldschmidt, 202-546-0100

WASHINGTON—Rick Shapiro is stepping down from his long standing role as executive director of the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) at the end of the year and Beverly Bell has been hired as his replacement.