Concrete Steps You Can Take Now to Prepare to Create Change During the 113th Congress!

The 113^th Congressional session began January 3, 2013. We’re gearing up, and we hope the NCIL membership is, too! Now is the time to start the prep work that will enable us to create big change during this Congressional session.

This Congress will experience the most change Congress has seen in the past 10 years, from a tide of incoming legislators to shakeups in committee and subcommittee leadership, this session is bound to keep us on our toes.

The 2013 NCIL Congressional Briefing and Reception will be on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. The NCIL membership will receive an Action Alert urging you to invite your Senators, Representatives, and their staff members to attend the Reception in order to meet the NCIL Board and staff, and to learn about the contributions Centers for Independent Living make every day, all across America.

Here are a few things you can do in the meantime to prepare the 113^th for NCIL-style advocacy, and prepare yourself for NCIL’s 2013 Day on the Hill, which will take place this July during the 2013 Annual Conference on Independent Living. 

1. Visit the House and Senate websites to find your members of Congress. Send a letter of introduction to your Representative and Senators. Then, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
2. Start relationships right away. As soon as possible, make a phone call to their offices and let them know who you are and that you have NCIL DC staff who will work with them to get things done!
3. Committee and Subcommittee leadership and membership have also changed. Review information on Committees that oversee the issues that matter most to you.

The 113^th US Congress Handbook, which will be released in March, lists information about Congress in one easy place and can be carried with you. You can purchase in bulk to save money. If you decide to purchase this resource, put your order in right away because they run out quickly and do not reprint.

We thank you for your hard work and look forward to our work in the 113^th! For more information or questions on this topic, please contact Dara Baldwin, NCIL Policy Analyst, at [email protected].