<human>: So basically I used to work for a Congressman when I was in high school. Really we only met a handful of times and I never worked that closely with him, but he said that I should reach out to him if I ever needed anything like a recommendation (which he did write when I applied for college). Now I'm out of school, working, and taking some additional classes before I apply to grad school. 

This congressman (now an ex-congressman) is still in my area and working for a law firm, but on many boards and very involved in local and national politics. Basically, right now I'm looking for something that I can add to my resume. I'd like to get involved with a nonprofit in my city or something involving local politics. I live in Philly so the DNC will be here next year. I could perhaps do something with that, and I'm sure my old contact would have an 'in' there. 

I'm just not sure if this is a common thing for people to do after so many years (probably around 6 now). So please let me know if you have any advice on the etiquette for this sort of thing, or if you have good advice for how to get more involved in my local community. Thanks :)

Give me the gist of the text in a nutshell
<bot>: how do I reconnect with a professional contact I haven't spoken to in years to ask for advice on how to get involved in my community.