HOW TO DO PHONE CALLS (4 of 5)

Please try to start calling as soon as the phone lines open (9am), and if it is busy please try again if possible. Don’t feel bad if we tie up the phone lines for a short time. People who handle “national emergencies” have access to different phone numbers than we do, and we’re not tying up 911 or anything that will threaten someone’s life. This will be over by Wednesday night, regardless of whether or not we are successful in obtaining the letter that we desperately need.

What to Say

Hi, my name is___________ . I am calling on behalf of the Smith family. Jeromy and Kim have been threatened with losing their adopted Kenyan children, due to concerns about their motives to adopt. Can you please ask President Bush’s office to sign the Smith’s adoption approval letter, to assure the Kenyan High Court that these children will be awarded all of the rights of citizens? Thank you very much for your time

Unless they have any questions or comments for you, that’s it! You do not need to force the issue if they push back—just politely express your concern, thank them for their time, and close the call.

Before you call, PLEASE remember:

- Pray for the person that you are about to speak with before you call

- The first person who answers the phone usually done not have a lot of authority, and is by design faces a cumbersome process to escalate, as well as a bunch of tiers. Often they genuinely want to help but are limited in their ability to do so; so sometimes they are just as frustrated as you are that they can’t just “fix” it. I know this firsthand from when I did that job! Please be polite and brief, and don’t feel like you need to demand action. The fact that you called will be huge.

- If they say that the US can’t intervene, please tell them that we are NOT asking President Bush to contact the Kenyan government and convince them to intervene on our behalf. We are only asking his office to sign a letter that is already written, complying with the Kenyan government’s request.

- Don’t get angry even if you feel like they are blowing you off, and don’t get drawn into an argument. Even if someone seems frustrated, just be kind in return.

- If they say that they don’t know anything about the situation, please apologize to them on Jeromy’s behalf.

- Please thank them profusely for their time, regardless of how the conversation goes.

MOST IMPORTANTLY. If you happen to be one of those bizarre born-again Christians like we are, please remember that first and foremost we are representing Jesus in these conversations. This is an opportunity to support a worthy cause in a polite and respectful way. How cool would it be for the people answering the phones, at the end of the day Wednesday, to think “Wow, I got so many calls regarding those adopted kids, but everyone was so grateful, calm and respectful that I didn’t even mind.” In other words, if we speak the truth in love, hopefully the experience can be positive for those who are serving our community in these offices.

Who to Call

Most important is the President, then USCIS, then the Senators and other leaders.

President George W. Bush, Presidential Correspondence, 202-456-2281 (most important) 202-456-1414 operator, and 202-456-1111 comment line (please leave a comment!) If somebody has a better number that is publishable, please let me know.

USCIS

Call 202-272-8000 and 202-272-1000.

Also request that the head of US-CIS reach out directly to the Chief Justice of the Kenya High Court, since the two sets of policies appear to be irreconcilably different. The question is, what makes our case so special that Kenya and the US can’t work out a mutual understanding?

Senator Barack Obama (even if you don’t live in Illinois)

He has 4 different numbers for 4 different offices.

- 312-886-3514

- 217-492-5099

- 618-997-2850

- 309-736-1233

Congressman John Sarbanes, Maryland: 410-832-8890

Congressman Elijah Cummings, Maryland

- Annapolis: 410-295-1679

- DC: 202-225-4741

- Howard County: 410-465-8259

Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland

- Baltimore/Towson: 410-962-4436—most important

- Washington DC: 202-224-4524—second most important

- Bowie: 301-860-0414

- Salisbury: 410-546-4250

- Cumberland: 301-777-2957

Senator Barbara Mikulski, Maryland

- Washington DC: 202-224-4654

Governor Martin O’Malley

410.974.3901 or 1.800.811.8336

Mungu acubariki sana,

Baba Sundi, Mama Sundi, Sundi, and Damon