Save the date for 2012 National Dental Student Lobby Day
April 16-17, 2012 at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel
National Dental Student Lobby Day gives dental students a chance to make a difference in their profession by lobbying for dental legislation. Students attend training sessions about lobbying and specific dental legislation and then meet with their members of Congress to lobby the issues and advocate for their profession.
Registration
New in 2012, chapters will be able to register online. Delegates will be sent the online registration instructions and log in information by Feb. 10. You can also complete the registration form and return it to Meghan Keelean. The deadline to register is Tuesday, March 13.
Hotel
The meeting takes place at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel located in downtown D.C. steps from Capitol Hill, the National Mall, Smithsonian Museums and much more. It's connected to the L'Enfant Plaza metro subway station for easy access via public transportation.
Chapters must make their own hotel reservations at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel using the ASDA reservation website. You can also call 800-635-5065 and mention group code ASD414. The deadline to make hotel reservations is Tuesday, March 13.
Agenda and Issues
ASDA and ADEA are working together to select issues that are important to dental students and dental education. In 2011, we lobbied for funding for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the National Institutes of Health, as well as for the Dental Emergency Responder Act of 2011 (HR 570).
ASDA and ADEA work together to choose issues that are timely. Look for information on issues for 2012 in February or March.
Contacting Members of Congress
Don't know who your members of Congress are or how to contact them? Go to http://house.gov and http://senate.gov to get their contact information. Each member has a website that will tell you how to request an appointment. Look for information on scheduling a visit, requesting a meeting, or contact. You can also call the office for more information.
Contact your members of Congress as soon as you are registered to begin the appointment setting process. It may take a couple weeks and some follow up but don't be discouraged. Click here for an e-mail template to use.
Click here for a list of congressional staff roles. Click here for useful information about Congress, Congressional meetings, as well as a glossary.