AFSP 7 TH ANNUAL ADVOCACY FORUM From A-Z: Everything You Need to Know (and then some)
BOOKMARK THIS WEBSITE www.afsp.org/forum16 Attendee Headquarters
TRAVEL DETAILS
TRAVEL DETAILS Getting your flight/rail tickets: Use your confirmation code provided by Concur. Your confirmation code can be entered: When checking-in ahead of time online at your airline s website At the self check-in kiosk at the airport/rail station When checking in at the counter at the airport/rail station
TRAVEL DETAILS Ground Transportation Visit www.afsp.org/forum16 for detailed ground transportation options and instructions. Remember, AFSP will reimburse for: DCA to hotel: Metro (subway), Super Shuttle, or taxicab (up to $25) BWI to hotel: MARC train, Amtrak, or Super Shuttle IAD to hotel: Bus, Metro (subway), or Super Shuttle
TRAVEL DETAILS Local Attendees If you have notified us you are driving to the Forum: We will arrange for parking passes for you to pick up upon hotel check-in You should NOT be asked to pay for parking yourselves, AFSP is covering this expense directly via our master bill
ARRIVAL IN DC Hotel Liaison Capitol Hill 415 New Jersey Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001 (888) 513-7445 Check-in: 3:00PM - Will hold your bags if you arrive early Check-out: 12:00PM - Plan on packing and checking out before program starts on Wednesday - Will hold your bags if attending the Open House
ARRIVAL IN DC Event Registration Sunday June 12, 4-6PM Make sure to check in with us on Sunday so we know you have arrived Registration tables will be right outside of the Metropolitan Ballroom Pick up your bags with participant packet and other goodies
FORUM SCHEDULE
FORUM SCHEDULE Overview Sunday 6/12 Registration, Orientation for First Time Attendees, Welcome Reception, Sandy Martin Grassroots Awards Monday 6/13 Federal Info Sessions & Prep for Hill Day Tuesday 6/14 Hill Day & Allies in Action Awards Dinner Wednesday 6/15 Hill Day Debrief, State Info Sessions, Breakout Sessions, Public Policy Open House DETAILED DRAFT available at www.afsp.org/forum16
FORUM SCHEDULE Schedule Highlights New Attendee Orientation: Sunday June 12, 4:30-5:30PM Orientation is required for those who are attending the Forum for the first time Will focus on making you feel comfortable and prepared for sharing your story during Hill Day Will give you a chance to meet other attendees in a smaller setting
FORUM SCHEDULE Schedule Highlights Monday June 13 Seated theatre style this year, more room to move around and better networking Keynote Roundtable with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (Louisiana) and Chris Murphy (Connecticut) to discuss Mental Health Reform State Team Meetings in assigned breakout rooms
FORUM SCHEDULE Schedule Highlights Tuesday June 14 8:45AM: Group photo at U.S. Capitol - Some teams have been invited to Constituent Coffees on Tues AM and may miss the photo No break room this year Allies in Action Awards Dinner this year - Seated dinner: 5PM in Metropolitan Ballroom - Awards ceremony: 5:30PM 6:30PM
FORUM SCHEDULE Schedule Highlights Wednesday June 15 Morning Town Hall session: State Legislative Champions for Suicide Prevention - Utah State Representative Steve Eliason - Washington State Representative Tina Orwall 2 Breakout Sessions, 4 options each 12-1:30PM Public Policy Open House, Boxed Lunch - Must have RSVP d ahead of time
PLANNING FOR YOUR TRIP
PLANNING What to Wear Sunday 6/12, Monday 6/13, Wednesday 6/15: Business Casual Tuesday 6/14 (Hill Day): Business Professional + COMFORTABLE SHOES - Men: jacket, tie if you have it, dress slacks - Women: dress, pants/skirt suit, dress slacks & blouse - AFSP lapel pin, memory button, or other visual of why suicide prevention is important to you
PLANNING What to Bring COMFORTABLE SHOES for Hill Day Photo ID Vignettes (print 5-6 copies) Personal business cards Camera/Phone
PLANNING DC Weather in JUNE Can be unexpected! Check the weather before you leave to be sure Typically it is HOT and HUMID; could possibly see some rain and thunderstorms - Umbrella/rain coat could be needed for Hill Day - Bring layers for your time in the hotel, particularly if you are sensitive to AC
PLANNING Letters to the Editor Before you leave for DC, consider submitting one or several letters to the editor to your local papers Visit https://afsp.org/our-work/advocacy/actioncenter/#/36 for instructions & template, and to submit up to 5 letters at a time online Make sure to PERSONALIZE the template (the full text is editable) Let us know if you are published!
HILL DAY
HILL DAY Scheduling Schedulers have already been identified and have started making your Hill appointments Schedulers are scheduling for EVERYONE, not just themselves We ll assign each attendee to 3-6 appointments on Hill Day based on constituency and chapter area You will get your finalized schedule at the Forum, not before (constantly changing) SCHEDULERS: remember to enter all appointments into the Googledoc online spreadsheet!
HILL DAY What to Expect Will do our best to assign you to meet with your own Representative s office and your 2 Senate offices - Large states (CA, TX, FL, NY, IL, PA, OH, GA, MI) - you may not be able to visit one or both of your Senate offices Will likely be held with Congressional staff (Health Legislative Assistant) but are trying for a member whenever possible
HILL DAY What to Expect You ll have time on Monday evening for Hill Day Prep - Meet with fellow attendees from your state to finalize who is going to what appointment - Plan for any folder drop offs (if needed) - Practice/role play sharing your story and asks - Ask your assigned Public Policy staff and Council members questions
HILL DAY Typical Visit What to say? - Introduce yourselves - Ask how much time you have - Briefly share your personal story/stories - Localize (show fact sheets & share chapter info) - Deliver the day s asks (show talking points) - Thank them for their time and ask for 2 business cards
HILL DAY Typical Visit Lasts about 15 minutes - Can run longer if you get a very interested and engaged staffer or member OR - If the staffer or member is pressed for time, you may get a quick 5 minutes in the hallway or elevator! You may get asked questions you don t have an answer for that s OK! - Say I don t know the answer to that right now, but I d be happy to find out and get back to you.
HILL DAY Helpful Resources www.afsp.org/forum16 Safely sharing your personal story: - One page flyer - Video Getting Around Capitol Hill: - Maps - Instructions for navigating Senate and House Office Buildings - Cafeteria locations
ASKS / TALKING POINTS
TALKING POINTS Asks /Talking Points Are still being finalized; will likely include: National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) Suicide Prevention Research Mental Health Reform Legislation Veteran/Military Suicide Prevention
ALLIES IN ACTION
ALLIES IN ACTION Allies in Action Awards Dinner Recognizes support of Congressional, state, and community leaders May be your best chance to meet a member of Congress in person If you have a guest traveling with you to DC who is not attending the Forum, you may invite them to join you at the Awards Dinner - You MUST notify us ahead of time so we can include them in the count for dinner, including their name so we can create a nametag for them
ALLIES IN ACTION Allies in Action Awards Dinner You are the face of AFSP at this event! - Be polite, gracious, and pretend you are not as tired as you are! - We ll have reserved seating up front for those states whose members of Congress are accepting awards - No side conversations while presenters or award winners are at the podium - Ample seating will be provided for all attendees (even MORE than in 2015!)
REMINDERS
REMINDERS Remember... Take PHOTOS during your time at the Forum and on the Hill share using our event hashtag: #AFSPFORUM16 Send THANK YOU notes to the staff and members you meet with during Hill Day upon your return home You must attend the duration of the Forum and keep all RECEIPTS to be reimbursed for personal expenses - Details included on your attendee agreement - Reimbursement form will soon be posted online
SEE YOU IN JUNE! Questions? Comments? www.afsp.org/forum16 advocacy@afsp.org