NPCA's Capitol Hill Advocacy Day
Important Info, Reminders and Agenda
Welcome! If you're reading this it's because you've decided to join nearly 250 Peace Corps community members to champion an improved, expanded Peace Corps on Thursday, September 22. We'll be urging Congress for more funding for Peace Corps and better healthcare for Returned Peace Corps volunteers. Whether you're a seasoned Peace Corps advocate or it's your first time on the Hill, we've got all the info and materials you need to make an impact. See you soon!
— Jonathan and J.M.
Orientations
Advocacy 101 Webinar, 12:00 Noon EDT, September 18: New to Capitol Hill advocacy or need a refresher course on what to expect? We've got you covered. This 45-minute session will focus on topics ranging from what a congressional office meeting is like to how to prepare for the day. For in-depth discussion on talking points and issues, join us for the in-person orientation (below). Email us at advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org to sign up for September 18 with the subject line "Advocacy 101 Webinar."
In-Person, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Wednesday, September 21, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20003: Registration will begin at 5:30 PM, and our orientation program will begin at 6:00 PM. During the orientation you'll meet others in your state delegations, and we'll go over specifics on our advocacy issues — including recently-introduced health legislation and Peace Corps funding —and answer any questions. The in-person orientation is strongly encouraged.
Capitol Hill Advocacy Day
All Day, Thursday, September 22
Registration, 7:15 AM to 8:00 AM, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20003: Continued registration, and meet up with your meeting delegations over coffee/tea and breakfast items.
Kickoff, 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM, Lutheran Church of the Reformation: Remarks by the Peace Corps community's Congressional champs and special guests. Many of you will have meetings starting at 10 AM, though a few groups may have meetings earlier, and will need to leave the kickoff early.
Meetings, throughout the day, House and Senate Office Buildings: Access to your meetings and delegations, talking points and leave-behind materials, and maps of Capitol Hill will be available both in-hand and by mobile app closer to September 22.
Reception and Awards Ceremony, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Hart Senate Office Building, Room 902: Please join us to celebrate the day with your fellow advocates and Hill staff, and to honor Colombia RPCV Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) for his decades of service to the Peace Corps community, and the recipients of NPCA's Sam Farr Congressional Leadership Award, Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY). Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Staging Room, 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM: Hart Senate Office Building Room 512 will be our staging area throughout the day. There you can reconnect with team members, write thank you notes and meeting reports, drop off luggage, or take a break! Hart 512 will be staffed throughout the day.
Arriving on September 22 after 10:30 AM?: Go first to Hart Senate Office Building Room 512 — our staging room — to get your meeting materials.
Come Prepared
What should I wear? Please dress as you would for an interview — with footwear ready for plenty of walking — or if possible in clothing from your country of service. We'll have NPCA advocacy swag for you, but wear all the Peace Corps pride you want!
Will there be food? There will be coffee/tea and breakfast items at the morning kickoff (7:15 AM to 9:30 AM) and beverages and hors d'oeuvres at the reception and awards ceremony (5:00 PM to 7:00 PM). There are cafeterias and coffee shops in most Senate and House office buildings. Food is allowed to be brought in to all Senate and House office buildings, and we encourage you to carry light snacks or fruit with you.
How do I get there? We recommend accessing Capitol Hill area by the Metro subway, exiting at either Union Station on the red line or Capitol South on the orange, silver and blue lines. These metro stops are about a 10-15 minute walk from the Lutheran Church of the Reformation.
What should I bring? Smiles, good attitudes, and something to take plenty of pictures with!
Preparation Materials
State Resources! Visit NPCA's State Advocacy Toolkits page for background on your lawmakers, their past support for Peace Corps issues, and Peace Corps' presence in your state.
Advocacy Day Issue Materials: Talking points and leave behinds for 1) Sam Farr Peace Corps Enhancement Act (health bill) and 2) Peace Corps funding. *We will have these printed for you in your registration packets.
New to the Hill? Check out these key guidelines for making any meeting a success.
Social Media
Want to tweet and post to social media? Please do! Use the hashtags #NPCAHillDay, #PeaceCorps55, #PeaceCorpsNOW, and #RPCVHealth for general advocacy, and #MrPeaceCorps to celebrate Rep. Sam Farr's decades of service to the Peace Corps community.
Questions or Concerns?
They'll all be answered at the in-person orientation on September 21. But for anything pressing or for last minute cancelations, contact Jonathan or J.M. from the advocacy team.
Jonathan Pearson: jonathan@peacecorpsconnect.org / (202) 293-7728 ext 21
J.M. Ascienzo: jm@peacecorpsconnect.org / (202) 293-7728 ext 24
Peace Corps Connect Conference Registration
Finally, while most of have already done so, there is still time to register for other events during our Peace Corps Connect Conference. See Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and authors Sebastian Junger and Sara Chayes. Check out action oriented workshops and visit our sold out exhibit space. Plan to participate in a Walk for Peace. See old friends, make new ones, and learn more about how to continue to commit to Peace Corps ideals. You can register right here, right now!
