Caring for Our Communities: Lobby Days 2005 April 12 -13, 2005 Renaissance Hotel Springfield, Illinois

Join AIDS advocates from across the state in educating Illinois lawmakers about important HIV/AIDS prevention and care issues!

Advocacy Training
Tuesday, April 12 from 12:00-4:00 p.m
Spend an afternoon at the Renaissance Springfield Hotel fine-tuning your advocacy skills. Learn about current HIV/AIDS policy issues, how to talk about HIV/AIDS with legislators, and discover strategies to raise visibility and garner support for sound HIV/AIDS policy. Lunch will be provided to all participants. The Renaissance Springfield Hotel is located at 701 E. Adams in Springfield, IL 62701. Attendance at the training is strongly encouraged for all those who will lobby the following day; free registration is required.

Reception, hosted by The Phoenix Center
Tuesday, April 12 from 6:30-9:00 p.m
Mix and mingle with elected officials and other advocates.

Red Ribbon Lobby Day
Wednesday, April 13 from 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Spend the day at the Illinois State Capitol—2nd and Capitol streets, Springfield—talking with legislators and political leaders about HIV/AIDS issues. Activities will conclude in the early afternoon.

Logistics
Travel, lodging, and additional food expenses are the responsibility of the participant. To cover these costs, AFC encourages all participants to seek organizational sponsorship and fundraise on their own. The Renaissance Springfield Hotel, official hotel of Lobby Days 2005, is offering a special rate to Lobby Day participants. Space is limited: register today and call Amy LaMantia at 312-922-2322 to reserve your room.

Scholarships
A small number of partial scholarships (one night lodging and breakfast) will be available for people living with HIV/AIDS who demonstrate financial need and meet other criteria. Please complete and return the scholarship form, along with the registration form, if you would like to apply. For those participants applying for scholarships, registration forms and scholarship forms are due by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 1.

For questions or to receive registration and/or scholarship form(s), please contact Amy LaMantia of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago at 312-922-2322.

Fundraising Tips

Ideas from AIDS Marathon (PDF)

Strategy chart from AIDS Marathon (PDF)

Ideas from NAPWA (PDF)

Ideas from AIDS Run & Walk (PDF)

Hotels

Springfield area hotels (PDF)

Travel

Mapquest driving directions

Amtrak train reservations

Greyhound bus reservations

Registration

Registration Form (PDF)

Scholarship Form (PDF)

Event Flyer (PDF)