Preparing for LAC
The LAC Experience The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees your The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees your right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. That empowers you to lobby Congress.
The Meetings SNA has been hosting LAC for decades. It is the most exciting conference you can attend each year Attending all of the LAC sessions is important Speakers will provide background and context for your Hill visits SNA PPL will present and explain the SNA Position Paper and help you understand the issues Make friends and make newbies feel welcome. Be sure to reach out to and include our industry partners.
Hill Meetings If you haven t done so already, make your appointments ASAP Contact the scheduler in your representative s office by phone and/or email Go to www.house.gov for Members office phone numbers Ask to meet with the Member and his/her Education/Ag LA (Legislative Assistant) If you are having trouble, ask one of us for help.
Hill Meetings Be prepared Know with whom you re meeting and when. Know who the lead is & defer to them. Leads, have your packet for each office you visit. A tote bag will be very helpful Plan your time. You likely have 20-30 minutes. Use these precious minutes carefully Stay focused on the topics Give them time to ask questions If you don t know the answer, don t fake it. It s reasonable to say you ll get back to them. Then do so.
California Dinner!!!! Sunday evening, March 1, at 6:30 PM. The location for the dinner this year will be Clyde's of Gallery Place, 707 7th St., NW, Washington, DC 20001 (202) 349-3700 www.clydes.com It is about 7 blocks from the JW Marriott. Cash bar will open at 6:30, dinner will begin at 7:00pm. The cost of the dinner is $75, which includes a 3 course dinner and soft drinks, coffee and tea. Any wine, beer or other alcohol purchases are not included in this price, and are the responsibility of the individual. Dinner menu is: Seasonal Salad, Filet Mignon & Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and Brownie Sundae. If you have any special dietary restrictions, please note them in the comments section of your RSVP. Please RSVP online. If you can't RSVP online, please RSVP to Janine Nichols at: jnichols@calsna.orgto let her know you are planning to attend. Please let her know if you will be sponsored by a chapter, or will pay on your own. Guests are welcome, and please also give your guest information to Janine. All those attending the dinner must RSVP and remit payment to CSNA by COB February 25 as the guest count must be final and the bill prepaid by February 26th. For any questions please call Janine Nichols at 818-842-3040. We are really looking forward to seeing you at the LAC meeting and the dinner.
CSNA Issue Paper This paper has been developed by your PPL committee and approved by the Executive Board. It represents the issues we are advocating for this year.
CSNA Issue Paper CSNA supports indexing school meal eligibility and reimbursements to reflect costs This has been CSNA s signature issue for several years Read the explanatory paper http://www.calsna.org/documents/legislation/regionalindexingexplanatorypaper.pdf g g g p p p Be prepared to talk to how it affects your students Reference Infographic about the spending value of $100 Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted study in response to request from 15 y ( ) y p q 5 California Members of Congress
CSNA Issue Paper Provide entitlement for USDA foods for every breakfast served. Asking for $0.10 per breakfast (equals $250,000,000 per year) Supports farmers
CSNA Issue Paper CSNA supports policies that will educate children about the benefits of nutrition and physical activity for life long wellness Nutrition Education
CSNA Issue Paper CSNA is asking Congress to direct USDA to continue to extend flexibility in implementing changes to school meal patterns Support SNA s position paper regarding the following: Not require ½ cup fruit/veg breakfast & lunch Only require 50% Whole Grain rich for breakfast & lunch For sodium, stay at Level 1 If food item can be served in school lunch program it should be allowed for sale by school food service program at any time.
Contents of Folders SNA and CSNA Issue Papers SNA will covers their position at the conference This webinar covered CSNA s issue paper CSNA Position Statements A reference for legislators to understand our position on nutrition standards, school breakfast programs, competitive foods, school finance, mealtime management, nutrition education and food service equipment. Marketing flyers developed by CSNA
Contents of Folders (continued) Regional Indexing Study Summary- GAO Metro Price Parity The Relative Value of $100 PoppySeeds Magazine Bring materials from your district like menus, newsletters, etc.
Now we will cover some basics about LAC. Very experienced attendees are welcome to stay.
A Few Basics US House of Representatives office buildings 3 digit offices are in the Cannon HOB, the easternmost building 1xxx offices are in the Longworth HOB, the middle of the three 2xxx offices are in the Rayburn HOB, the westernmost and newest The 2 nd number in Longworth & Rayburn is the floor number Security entrances Tunnels connect all of the offices. You don t need to go outside and back through security. It is a hill, so connecting tunnels are on different levels. Ask directions. Hill staff are courteous and helpful.
A Few Basics What to wear? Check the weather forecast before you pack. DC can be warm and sunny or cold and snowy that week. If snow is in the forecast, pack for an extra day or two. Business attire is always appropriate. Suits for men and women, particularly on Tuesday when you visit your representatives Sunday s CSNA dinner is casual.
A Few Basics Getting Around DCMt Metro is excellent. Metro Mt station tti is a block east of fhtl hotel. Take Tk the Red Line to Union Station for Senate Side. Blue or Orange Line to Capitol South for House Side. Taxis cruise the corridor and can be hailed on the street- t this might be a challenge on Tuesday since Benjamin Netanyahu is addressing Congress. DC i t lki it It b t il f th JW M i tt DC is a great walking city. It s about 2 miles from the JW Marriott to Capitol Hill
A Few Basics Metro From National lairport tto JWM Marriott Yellow Line (towards Fort Totten). Change trains at L Enfante Plaza to Blue Line (towards Franconia Springfield) or Orange Line (towards Vienna). Get off at Metro Center (3 rd stop). Hotel is 1½ blocks west Blue Line (towards Largo Town Center) to Metro Center JW Marriott to Capitol Hill Board at Metro Center Blue Line (towards Largo Town Center) or Orange Board at Metro Center. Blue Line (towards Largo Town Center) or Orange Line (towards New Carrollton) to Capitol South (5 th stop). House office buildings are directly in front of the exit
A Few Basics Eating on the Hill Food court tin the Longworth Cafeteria in the Rayburn Coffee shops in both Souvenirs House store on west side next to Longworth cafeteria
Hill Meetings Be in the hall outside the office at least 5 minutes early. If you are no more than 5-10 minutes late,,quietly yjoin the meeting in progress. More than that, don t interrupt. If you need to travel between buildings, allow a minimum of 15-20 minutes between appointments Bring plenty of your business cards Have facts and examples specific to your district
Hill Meetings Introduce yourselves name, position, district/company If meeting with the Member, let them speak first if they choose Always be courteous and respectful When referring to another Member of Congress or the California legislature, never use just the last name. Always, Mr./Ms., Representative, Senator, Assembly member, etc. Stay on topic. Avoid unrelated issues. Members sometimes use your time for their agenda. Bring it back to our issues - respectfully
Hill Meetings Lead If this is your first lead opportunity, try and have an experienced lead with you Explain who we are and why we re there Open folders and hand docs as you describe them. When meeting is ending, tell them what else is in the folder that you didn t present Give everyone a chance to contribute SNA Position Paper We support, but wish to discuss California issues CSNA Issue Paper
Hill Meetings Industry members Your presence and participation i is very important t Speak to how the issues we present are relevant to you and your company Do not use this time to present your personal or business agenda
Hill Meetings Follow up Send a follow up email thanking them for their time and attention ti Provide any additional information or materials you promised Invite them to your district Build your relationship stay in contact Fill out the SNA report form and turn in as requested at our Fill out the SNA report form and turn in as requested at our Monday evening meeting
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