Museums Advocacy Day is Just One Month Away!

On February 23 and 24 over 240 museum professionals and supporters will be gathering here in Washington , DC for Museums Advocacy Day 2009. There is unprecedented momentum building for this event as you and your colleagues from around the country have begun preparing for your visit. The heart of Museums Advocacy Day is making our presence as a field known with Members of Congress on Capitol Hill. We (AAM) is scheduling visits for all participants with their Representative and Senators if possible, and with staff from those offices if/when the Member of Congress is not available for personal meetings. These meetings will take place on Tuesday, February 24. While many of you have had meetings with your legislators on Capitol Hill before, for many Museums Advocacy Day participants this will be a first-time experience. Here are some "rules-of-the-road" for novice and seasoned advocates to remember as we prepare for Museums Advocacy Day.

What to Expect on Capitol Hill Visits

•  The Union Station and Capitol South Metro stops provide close pedestrian access to the Senate and House office buildings, but keep in mind there will be a great deal of walking throughout the day - wear comfortable shoes and carry as little as possible with you.

•  Members of Congress' daily schedule are packed with activity every minute from very early in the morning until late into the evening everyday. Be patient and flexible with offices as they greet you and get you in for your scheduled meetings.

•  Keep in mind that on average, the staff person you may meet with handles anywhere from 10-15 completely different issues - it is our job as advocates to be organized, polite and prepared to educate them about our institutions and our key issues.

•  It's called lobbying for a reason - dating back to a time when legislators used the opportunity of moving through the halls and lobbies of Capitol Hill office buildings to win favor with each other and the sitting president. Space is tight and February is a very busy time of year on Capitol Hill. Do not be offended if Members of Congress or staff members suggest you hold your meeting in the reception area of the office, in the hallway, or in a nearby cafeteria. This is part of how works gets done on Capitol Hill.

•  The members of the Capitol Hill Police force are courteous and dedicated and have a serious job to do. Don't hesitate to ask them for help finding your way, but also be prepared to cooperate fully with security checks when you enter legislative office buildings and any other specific directions you may receive from officers on duty.

•  Capitol Hill is a public space. Remember as you chat in hallways and cafeterias throughout the day and between your meetings that Members of Congress, their staff, reporters and other public figures are always in your midst as well. Be mindful that your comments about meetings and to each other are polite, positive and never personally disparaging of any Member or staff person you have encountered throughout the day.

Capitol Hill is an exciting and hectic place, but constituents - you - are always welcome! It is your right to make your case to your legislators in person and your legislators and their staff will appreciate your efforts to do so - especially if you approach them with your personal passion for what museums in your community mean to you. Be polite, be prepared, be flexible and be yourself and your visits on Capitol Hill should be a huge success!

Visit www.speakupformuseums.org/MuseumAdvocacyDay.htm to learn more.

Have you made your hotel reservations for Museums Advocacy Day? Hurry! AAM's special rate at the Washington Marriott expires Monday, January 26, 2009.