NAFSA's approach to advocacy programming in 2022 is a novel one, but the goal is the same: speak out for students, scholars, and policies that matter to you to advance the field of international education.
The March event will be entirely virtual and held over the course of two days. March 3 will feature a half-day of training on the issues with our policy experts followed by practice sessions with your peers to rehearse the congressional meetings. March 9 will be devoted to the virtual meetings. We ask all participants to block off the entire day.
Below are answers to other important questions. Still have questions? Email us!
Who Can Apply?
- For the first time ever, NAFSA will be focusing outreach solely on elected officials that sit on the most strategically important committees in the House and Senate. This approach will ensure that the lawmakers who matter most to advancing our public policy goals will hear from constituents on our issues in a coordinated and concentrated fashion.
Why Should I Attend?
- If you are a first-timer to advocating with NAFSA, you will gain a better understanding of international education policy issues, congressional processes, and proven methods to effectively tell your story and frame the issues. Open the door to new relationships with your elected officials and their staff.
- If you are a returning participant, you will deepen your relationship with congressional staff. Leverage up-to-the-minute legislative updates provided to all NAFSA Day of Action participants. Impart a clear understanding of how legislation that impacts international education can create a more globally engaged United States, and a more secure and peaceful world.
- In either case, know that you are helping ensure that the lawmakers who matter most to advancing our public policy goals will hear from their constituents on matters of vital importance to international education in a coordinated and concentrated fashion.
What is the Schedule?
- View the event schedule.
- Day 1: This will consist of a half-day training via Zoom, and will be held on March 3. Participants will get the latest on the political landscape in Washington and NAFSA’s corresponding political strategy to advance the field of international education. Attendees will have the chance to train, collaborate, and network with attendees from their state and/or region and ask questions of NAFSA issue experts. The day will conclude with a virtual mixer and celebration of the 2022 Advocate of the Year.
- Day 2: The day will begin with drop-in "office hours" with NAFSA policy staff to address any last minute questions or schedule changes, followed by the congressional meetings themselves. A group debrief will follow, for all to share their experiences and get energized to advocate year-round on the top issues impacting the field.
- Though the specific meeting schedule will not be finalized until much closer to the day, participants are asked to block off the entire day of March 9 to ensure their flexibility to accommodate the vagaries of congressional staff availability.
Will I Represent My Institution?
No, we don't expect participants to speak on behalf of their employer or institution. However, if you do qualify for the Day of Action based on your employer’s location, we recommend gaining the employer's permission to speak about your international education work before submitting an application.
How Many Meetings Will I Have?
Generally, between 2-3. NAFSA expects to schedule a meeting with each participant’s key targets (a maximum of 3). No attendee will field a congressional meeting alone; each participant will have at least one other individual in each meeting.
What Is a (Virtual) Hill Meeting Like?
- Most congressional meetings--whether in person or virtual--are simple conversations. You do not need to do a formal presentation such as a PowerPoint slide deck.
- Meetings can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. You will share data, stories, and your personal knowledge of how international education impacts your campus, students, scholars, district, and state.
- You will connect with your lawmakers' office through either a video or phone conference.
Will I Make an Impact?
- Yes! As a direct result of past advocacy events, members of Congress have signed on as cosponsors to bills we champion, given public floor statements, hosted events, tweeted support for our issues, and more.
- While the global coronavirus pandemic has suspended traditional face-to-face meetings between lawmakers and constituents in Washington, Congress has quickly embraced digital tools. Connecting by video or phone call is the new norm. Make sure international educators are heard in this new landscape!
- Keep in mind: advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. If you want to have a greater and long-term impact, you must follow up with the congressional staffers you met throughout the next year. NAFSA will provide reminders and resources such as relevant news articles to assist you with your communications. A good goal is to reach out once a month with an email or phone call.
How Should I Prepare?
- Start thinking about student stories that would help you illustrate the importance of the congressional asks we are making: to remove barriers to international students and scholars studying, working, and living in the U.S. and to increase the number and diversity of students studying abroad.
- In the month or so before the event, keep an eye out for email messages from NAFSA with online briefing materials that will help you get up to speed on the policy issues and legislation that we will be advocating for in March.
- For a more meaningful experience, get to know your lawmakers' stances on education, foreign policy, and immigration reform in advance. Follow their work and appearances in the news, become familiar with their websites, find out what committees they serve on, and follow their social media profiles.
How Will You Select the Applicants? Should First-Timers Apply?
- We will primarily consider an individual’s area of expertise and how that lines up with the key lawmaker’s committee assignment. For example, if a lawmaker is strategic because they sit on the House Judiciary Committee, which oversees immigration, we would prefer to have them meet with a constituent with experience related to International Student and Scholar issues.
- And yes! First-timers should apply. Prior experience with NAFSA’s Advocacy Day is not required. Nor are we expecting participants at our Day of Action to act as lobbyists with all the answers. We are asking our advocates to simply be confident in the knowledge that they do have: including personal stories and on-the-ground knowledge about what is happening in their district and state—which is very valuable to members of Congress. We will give all participants the training they need to succeed!
What if I Don't Qualify Based on My State / Congressional District?
If you live outside of our key states and congressional districts, fear not! We are committed to providing other advocacy opportunities that will be available to all on a year round basis. Please consider sharing this opportunity with those who might qualify, and be sure to sign up for our advocacy emails and alerts for other ways to advocate with NAFSA.
