Michael,
I hope you don't mind if I share:
In a message dated 5/28/98 3:15:06 PM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
t=0Awrites:
Please let us know if we can provide any additional information.
Fifth Annual Public Policy Forum
The advocacy campaign that achieved passage of the Udall Act was
described as =93a textbook lobbying effort.=94 The Public Policy Forum =
has
been the classroom for that campaign=97 teaching advocacy skills and
organizing face-to-face lobbying with Congress.
PAN's annual Public Policy Forum is a unique and highly substantive
event for active members of the Parkinson's community. For the past
four years the Forum has provided participants with many valuable
experiences, including:
=95 Networking, sharing and learning with advocates from across the
country
=95 Advocacy training for novices and veterans alike
=95 Direct lobbying opportunities with elected officials and key staff
=95 Research updates from prominent Parkinson's scientists
=95 Informative presentations by legislators, agency officials and othe=
r
experts
Now is the time to begin planning your trip. See if your support group
can underwrite your expenses. The skills you learn and the work you do
will benefit not only yourself, but your support group, community and
every person with Parkinson's.
**A limited number of scholarships are available. Contact the Network
for information.**
Do it today! Advance registration ends May 31st.
Registration Fee: $125 on or before June 1st
$150 after June 1st
Please contact the Parkinson's Action Network for more information at
(800) 850-4726 or email at "[log in to unmask]" To register, send your full
name, any title, any appropriate group affiliation, mailing address,
phone, fax, email to PAN at 818 College Avenue, Suite C, Santa Rosa, CA
95404 or fax to (707) 544-2363. Act now! Advance registration ends
June 1st!
Preparing for the 1998 Public Policy Forum
Final details on speakers and the Forum agenda are being concluded right
now. To help you prepare to attend, note the following:
=B7 Forum Agenda
The Forum opens with registration, Parkinson's community member
introductions, sharing and social hour on Sunday, June 14th from
4:00-7:00 p.m., and concludes on Wednesday, June 17th at 12:00 noon.
(Many Forum participants schedule or join others on additional
Congressional visits on Wednesday afternoon following the formal agenda
-- see below).
=B7 Travel
Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements, and are
encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible-airfares tend to be
cheaper the further in advance they are made.
=B7 Accommodations
The Forum will be headquartered at the Hotel Washington, 15th Street and
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC. Special room rate* for Forum
participants is $125 per night-this price includes a buffet breakfast
following each night you stay, and there are no room taxes. This rate
is available beginning Saturday June 13th and applies throughout your
stay at the Hotel Washington.
Rooms at the Hotel Washington can be reserved by calling Washington DC
Accommodations toll-free at 800-554-2220. Simply mention the
Parkinson's Action Network, and the operators will make your
reservations for you. Please make your room reservations no later than
Friday, May 29. Washington DC Accommodations is a hotel booking service
and at your request will provide information on alternate hotels and
rates in the DC area.
Because of the special rate*, payment for all rooms is to be made to the
Parkinson's Action Network. Full payment in advance of the Forum is
greatly appreciated. Payment may be made by check or credit card-call
the Network at 800-850-4726 for credit card transactions.
(*June is prime tourism season in Washington, DC, with high room rates
throughout the area. This is a specially negotiated and subsidized
rate, underwritten by the Network and the Forum's sponsors.)
=B7 Meetings With Legislators
Tips for Scheduling Congressional Appointments: Tuesday afternoon, June
16th, is set aside on the Forum schedule for people in the Parkinson's
community to meet with their Senators, Congressmen, and congressional
staff. Following are the steps to take. We will be happy to help -
just call us with questions.
1. Deal with the Member's scheduler. Call the Congressman's/Senator's
office and ask to speak to the "Scheduler", who handles the Member's
schedule. If you can fax your request (Attn: Scheduler) it usually
saves time and effort. PAN can provide you with Members' fax numbers.
Request a call back. If you don't hear in one or two days, call again
to follow up.
2. Details. Tell them who you are, where you're from, why you'll be in
DC, when you'd like an appointment and what you'd like to talk about
(Parkinson's research). In your initial contact, tell them Tuesday
afternoon, June 16th from 2:00-5:00 p.m. is when you'll be most
available (most appointments last about 20-30 minutes), Wednesday
afternoon, June 17th from 2:00-5:00 p.m., or all day Thursday is also
available if you can stay in town after the formal agenda is completed.
3. Staff contacts are important, too. Always try to meet with the
Member, but if meeting with a staffer is the only option, you should
gladly take it. Ask to speak with the legislative assistant handling
the NIH and medical research.
4. To reach any Senator or Congressmember, call the Capitol switchboard
at 1-202-224-3121. The operator will answer by saying, "Capitol," then
ask for the Member's office and they'll connect you.
=B7 Letters/Petitions
By attending the Forum you are representing thousands of others living
with Parkinson's. One way to demonstrate this fact is by gathering
letters and petitions (see enclosed samples) signed by your family,
friends, neighbors, support group members and others in your community.
Take these letters and petitions with you to Washington, and we will
work with you to present them to your Representative and Senators when
you meet with them.
=B7 Media
Working with your local media can raise public awareness about
Parkinson's and help deliver our community's message to your federal
legislators. All elected officials are keenly aware of the media
coverage in their home state or district. Take advantage of this by
contacting your local newspaper or television station and alerting them
of your upcoming trip to Washington in support of greater Parkinson's
research funding. Work with the Network for background or statistical
information to add to the story. The Network can also arrange
photographs or videotape of your meeting with legislators that will add
to your story.
Upon returning home, follow up with the reporters about your experiences
in Washington. If no story is run, you can always submit an editorial
or letter to the editor supporting Parkinson's research funding and
telling your own story. (Instruction and samples will be provided
during the Forum.)
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