Friends,

JOIN US for Lobby Days this July!

From Nigeria and the Ukraine, to Syria and our own backyards, the need for proactive peacebuilding is all around us today. We’ve got a roadmap to get there, but we need your help. We need your voice.

And we need YOU at Lobby Days in DC July 21-22^nd.

This will be an inspiring and celebratory time of connection with other like-minded peace advocates where you will have the opportunity to learn, share experiences, and inform your federal representatives on two of the most important peacebuilding bills since our country was founded, namely The Youth Promise Act and the creation of cabinet-level Department of Peacebuilding.

Listen in to our Training Calls!

• July 7th, 2014 Training Call LISTEN NOW
• July 14th, 2014 Training Call LISTEN NOW

Don’t worry – we will train you on what to say (see recordings above as well as upcoming info)! We will also be posting more information soon with optional fun group activities starting Sunday, July 20^th you won’t want to miss! All you have to do in the meantime is mark your calendar and get ready to walk the halls of Congress with us.

This is an important moment in history to take a stand for the kind of world we want to live in and to advocate for the kinds of values we want to be our guiding force as a nation. Join us July 21^st and 22^nd!

REGISTER HERE TODAY: https://org.salsalabs.com/o/696/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=82034

 

P.S. PEACE NEEDS PEACEBUILDERS! If you would like to volunteer for Lobby Days 2014 – even just for a couple hours – please send an email to Lobby Days 2014 chair Emily Bennington at [email protected]

REGISTER HERE TODAY

LOCAL ACCOMODATATIONS

As DC hotels fill quickly, be sure to book your room early for preferred location and rate discounts. Below are a few options that are convenient to Lobby Day activities but please note these listings are provided for your convenience only and are not endorsed or sponsored by the Peace Alliance. Please contact the hotel directly to make your reservation. Also, please note that travel times listed below are estimates based on MapQuest routes. We have used the Peace Alliance office as a reference point, which is a 15-minute walk from the Farragut Metro station (1616 P St Nw).

Comfort Inn & Suites Alexandria (Link:http://www.comfortinn-alexandria.com/)

(703) 922-9200 | 5716 S. Van Dorn Street | Alexandria, VA

Mention you’re with the Peace Alliance for a group rate of $119 for a guestroom with one to four occupants or $129 for a suite.

• Free hot breakfast and parking
• Free Shuttle Service to Van Dorn Metro (.6 miles)
• Reservations required by June 23rd to receive group discount

 

Residence Inn Arlington Rosslyn (Link: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasrr-residence-inn-arlington-rosslyn/)

Mention you’re with the Peace Alliance for a group rate of $159 for a guestroom with one to four occupants.

(703) 812-8400 |1651 North Oak Street
Arlington, VA

• $16/ night parking
• 45 minute walk to Peace Alliance Office (about 2 miles)
• 11 minute walk to the Metro
• Suites have a queen sofabed and a bedroom with a Queen bed
• Free internet and hot breakfast buffet
• Reservations required by June 26th to receive group discount

 

Carlyle Hotel (http://www.carlylesuites.com/)

(800) 964-5377  | 1731 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC

• 10 minute walk to Peace Alliance Office (about .42 miles)
• 8 minute walk to the Metro
• Free internet
• $39/ night parking

 

Hostel International (Link: www.hihostels.com)

1009 11th St NW | Washington DC

• 21 minute walk to Peace Alliance Office (about 1 mile)
• 11 minute walk to the Metro
• Prices range from $35 – 93 per night

LOBBY DAYS 2014 AGENDA

Sunday, July 20th
7:00pm – 9:30pm – Moonlight Tour of DC*
Meet at White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Come network with your fellow Lobby Days attendees as you discover our nation’s Capitol by double-decker bus! In this guided tour, we’ll see the FDR Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veteran and Korean War Memorials, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the White House, and so much more. Please purchase your tickets directly through DC Tours using this link (specifying that you would like the 7pm pick-up at the White House) and we’ll meet you there! SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED so please book your tickets early.

Monday, July 21st
Breakfast on your own.
7:45 – 8:30am – Optional Networking
8:30am – 10:00am – Welcome / Training Session
Peace Alliance Office
1616 P St NW, Ste 100
Washington DC 20036

In this session, executive staff members from the Peace Alliance will teach you best practices for speaking with your House and Senate representatives. We will also cover talking points about two core pieces of legislation: The Youth PROMISE Act and a cabinet-level Department of Peacebuilding so you’re ready for your meetings on Capitol Hill!

10:30am – 12:30pm – Scheduled meetings with House and Senate members
United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20004

Now that you’re prepped and up-to-speed, it’s time to get to work! Please note: For best results, be sure to schedule your meetings before arriving in DC. Also, since calendars can change quickly on the Hill, it’s best to follow up a few days before to your meeting to confirm it’s still on. But don’t worry – in the event that your meeting is canceled you are welcome to drop off information packets to your representatives and also to join other Lobby Days meetings in action.

12:30pm – 1:30 pm – Optional Lunch*
Russell Senate Building Cafeteria
Purchase your lunch and gather in the Russell Senate Building cafeteria to debrief with fellow Lobby Days attendees.

1:00pm – 4:00 pm – Scheduled meetings with House and Senate members
United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20004

3:30pm – Meeting with Department of Peacebuilding Sponsor Barbara Lee’s Legislative Director (Optional but attendance recommended.)
2267 Rayburn Office Building
Please meet outside of the Congresswoman’s office 10 minutes in advance.

In 2013, California Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced U.S. Department of Peacebuilding legislation. Bring your questions and join us for this special meeting with Congresswoman Lee’s Legislative Director Jirair Ratevosian. (Note: Please be sure to communicate your intended attendance at this meeting as soon as possible by emailing Nancy Merritt at [email protected].)

5pm – 6:00pm – Tour of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP)
2301 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037

USIP is a short walk (0.6 miles) from Metro’s Foggy Bottom – GWU (Blue/Orange line) subway station. At street level turn right at 23rd Street, walk south toward Constitution Avenue (away from the traffic circle). The U.S. Institute of Peace is at the corner of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. It is directly across the street from the U.S. Department of State.

The USIP is an independent, nonpartisan institution established and funded by Congress to increase the nation’s capacity to manage international conflict without violence. Lobby Days participants will be treated to an exclusive guided tour of the facility and Q&A with Laurie Schultz Heim, Director of USIP’s Office of Congressional Relations. There is no fee for this activity.

6pm – Optional Group Dinner*
Sweet Green
2221 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
(http://sweetgreen.com/menu/)

You’re welcome to join us for a quick walk up the street to Sweet Green for locally-sourced salads and desserts or you’re welcome to enjoy DC on your own!

Tuesday, July 22nd
Breakfast on your own.

7:45 – 8:30 am – Optional Networking
8:30am – 10:00am – Welcome / Training Session
Peace Alliance Office
1616 P St NW, Ste 100
Washington DC 20036

In this training session, we will discuss the outcome of Monday’s meetings plus host a special media training / pitch session so you’ll have all the know-how needed to return to your district and continue to spread the word!

10:30am – Meeting with Youth PROMISE Act Sponsor Bobby Scott’s Staff (Optional but attendance recommended.)
1201 Longworth Office Building
Please meet outside of the Congressman’s office 10 minutes in advance.

Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott has been the lead sponsor on the Youth PROMISE Act legislation since its first introduction. Bring your questions and join us for this special meeting with Congressman Scott’s legislative staff. (Note: Please communicate your intended attendance at this meeting to Karen Johnson by emailing [email protected] before 7/21.)

10:30am – 12:30pm – Scheduled meetings with House and Senate members
United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20004

More advocacy on Capitol Hill! You are free to meet with your representatives (don’t forget to schedule your meetings prior to arriving in DC), drop off information packets alongside fellow Peace Alliance volunteers, and / or attend the scheduled meeting with Congressman Bobby Scott’s office above.

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Optional Lunch*
Longworth House Building Cafeteria

Purchase your lunch and gather at the Longworth House Building cafeteria to network with fellow peace advocates.

1:00pm – 5:30 pm – Scheduled meetings with House and Senate members (Congress resumes sessions at 6:00 p.m. this evening.)
United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20004

6:00pm – Closing Dinner*
Busboys & Poets
1025 5th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
(http://www.busboysandpoets.com/about/5th-k)

Join us as we gather together one last time to celebrate another successful Lobby Days!

*Please note that in order to keep the Lobby Days program fees economical for all, the cost of food, beverages, and extracurricular activities are NOT included in your registration.