Advocate to Save Our VA in Washington, D.C.!
You’re invited to join the SOVA National Campaign in Washington D.C. from 12 to 16 February to advocate Congress to help us Save Our VA. We’ll spend a day getting to know each other and preparing for two days of meeting with members of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees and other significant Members of Congress (MOCs). Small delegations of conference attendees will meet with MOCs and/or their veterans’ affairs staff members. During our 2020 conference we met with the staff of nearly all House Veterans’ Affairs Committee members.
This is an important way for our representatives to know about SOVA and to increase our impact on Congress. The 2020 Conference was the first time most SOVA Campaign Steering Committee members had met with MOCs, so one does not need to be experienced to come help us. The 2020 conference was a time of camaraderie as we stayed together with plenty of time for informal conversation and making new friends. Join us, get to know us and help us tell Congress why we need to Save Our VA.
Costs
We will be staying at the Washington Seminary Center, which is within walking distance of Congressional Offices. Accommodations are basic but cost is low at $37 a night. We are asking all to pay for one night’s accommodation but if you can pay for more, please consider doing so. If this represents a financial hardship, please contact Bruce Carruthers at bcarruthers1@charter.net.
Food and Accommodations
As noted, accommodations are basic. The facility is a church basement with a common room and three rooms with bunk cots for sleeping. There are separate rooms for males and females. Food is communal and will be prepared in their kitchen. We estimate food costs at $50 a day and would appreciate any contributions to costs you can make.
COVID Concerns
Because the accommodations are communal and many attending are in vulnerable groups, we are requiring all attending show proof of being vaccinated against COVID including a booster within the last 6 months. If a new, virulent strain would arise, SOVA will cancel the conference. All registration fees would be returned if this occurred.
Meeting with Members of Congress during the 2020 Conference
Agenda
- Day 1 – Afternoon arrival and introductions in the evening.
- Day 2 – Training sessions on meeting with MOCs and SOVA issues.
- Day 3 & 4 – Advocating for SOVA with MOCs in small groups with end of day feedback sessions.
- Day 5 – "Where do we go from here" session and then departure after 12 noon.
Join us in D.C. in February! When the time nears, we'll be sending detailed information to those who register. If you have any questions, contact us at sovamail@yahoo.com.
