FAQ

If you have a question that has not been answered below, or want additional information on any of the topics covered, please contact advocacy@pancan.org or 202-742-6699.


Registration
First Time at Advocacy Day
Advocacy Day Capitol Hill Meetings
General Information

Registration

I am interested in attending Advocacy Day but don't know yet if I can make it. Should I still register?
Space is limited for this very popular event, so we strongly encourage you to do everything you can to make a decision quickly. We ask that you consider waiting to register until you are sure you can commit to attending. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network incurs a significant cost for those who cancel after May 24, 2019, or who register but do not attend the event.

I have multiple addresses. Which one should I use?
Meetings are scheduled based on your voting address, so it's important that you register using the address where you are registered to vote. If you have questions about this, please contact our Government Affairs & Advocacy office at advocacy@pancan.org or 202-742-6699.

How much does the event cost?
The registration fee is $15 per person for registering in advance; any walk-ins that can be accommodated will be charged $20. Pancreatic cancer survivors will not be charged the registration fee. There are no other fees for participating in the event.

What does PanCAN provide for the event?
PanCAN provides breakfast and lunch on Monday, breakfast on Tuesday, Metro transportation to and from Capitol Hill on Tuesday, as well as all participant materials. We will schedule all congressional meetings for you and will provide you with a schedule of your meetings at the conclusion of the training session. Participants are responsible for making their own airfare, hotel and ground transportation arrangements. For more information on travel and accommodations, please visit our Hotel & Travel page.

My spouse and/or children are planning on accompanying me to Advocacy Day. Do they need to register?
Yes. Everyone who is planning to attend Advocacy Day must register separately. Accurate attendee information is critical for scheduling meetings as well as catering arrangements and seating plans.

Is someone who is not registered for the event allowed to accompany me?
Due to space constraints, we are unable to accommodate anyone who is not registered.

Will I receive any pre-event materials?
Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email that outlines information on traveling to and from Washington, D.C., as well as information on the event hotel. We will also send you emails prior to the event with tips to make your trip a success. When checking in at Advocacy Day on Sunday, June 23, from 3 to 6 p.m. or on Monday, June 24, from 7 to 8:30 a.m., you will receive a participant packet that includes all the materials you will need for the event.

When is the registration deadline?
Registration for Advocacy Day 2019 officially closes on Friday, May 10, 2019.

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First Time at Advocacy Day

This is my first time at Advocacy Day. What should I expect?
Welcome! We're excited to have you at this empowering event. Once you register, and in the weeks leading up to the event, we will send you emails with useful tips and information to make your experience a success.

Our training and breakout sessions on Monday, June 24, will help prepare you for the meetings with your members of Congress and/or their staff, and you also will get the chance to meet other participants from your state.

Don't worry, staff will be standing by at the event ready to help new participants (and returning ones) with any needed assistance.

We are here to help you at any time. Contact our Government Affairs & Advocacy office at advocacy@pancan.org or 202-742-6699 for questions or concerns.

Do I need to participate in the whole training session on Monday, June 24?
Yes. In fact, this training is mandatory for anyone who plans to visit members of Congress on Tuesday, June 25. We will cover critical topics and information that you can use in your meetings, and what we will be asking Congress to do. Please note that the messages we deliver to Congress are different every year.

Training will also include time for you to meet others with whom you will be attending Capitol Hill meetings, so you can strategize about who will say what. All meeting schedules will be distributed at the end of the day.

May I set up my own appointments with members of Congress?
No. We ask that you do not contact any congressional offices directly to schedule appointments. If you set up an appointment for yourself, you could prevent other constituents from getting an appointment, or create complications with meetings that we are scheduling for you.

If you have special connections with individual members of Congress or their staff, please let us know as soon as possible. We can take that into consideration as we are scheduling meetings. Please contact our Government Affairs & Advocacy office at advocacy@pancan.org or 202-742-6699 with any concerns or questions.

How will I get to Capitol Hill?
Advocacy Day participants will meet at the JW Marriott Washington, D.C., the morning of Tuesday, June 25, for a send-off breakfast. It is important for participants to attend the breakfast as this is when last-minute meeting schedule changes and other valuable information will be provided.

We will also provide prepaid Metro fare cards at registration that will be valid for one round-trip journey to Capitol Hill and back to the hotel. Once your meetings are completed in the afternoon, you can use the same Metro fare card to get back to the hotel.

*Due to security restrictions on Capitol Hill, you should plan to leave your luggage at the hotel. Please visit the Metro website to learn more about public transportation options in Washington D.C., including Metro maps, fare information and schedules.

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Capitol Hill Meetings

Will I meet with my members of Congress by myself?
No. Advocacy Day participants will be coming from all across the country, and we will group you with other people from your city, state or region. Please note that it is very important that you do not set up your own appointments! If you have special contacts with members of Congress or their staff, please let us know when you register, or contact our Government Affairs & Advocacy staff at advocacy@pancan.org or 202-742-6699.

Who will I meet?
We will make every effort to secure appointments for you to meet with your two U.S. senators and your U.S. representative. If a senator or representative is not available, the meeting will be scheduled with a member of his or her staff. Please note that staff meetings are just as important as meetings with the actual legislator, as staff play a critical role in the legislative process.

May I set up my own appointments with members of Congress?
No. We ask that you do not contact any congressional offices directly to schedule appointments. If you set up an appointment for yourself, you could prevent other constituents from getting an appointment, or create complications with meetings that we are scheduling for you.

If you have special connections with individual members of Congress or their staff, please let us know as soon as possible. We can take that into consideration as we are scheduling meetings. Please contact our Government Affairs & Advocacy office at advocacy@pancan.org or 202-742-6699 with any concerns or questions.

Will I be able to go on congressional visits with my friends or family from other parts of the country?
It is wonderful when our advocates bring their family members and friends with them to Advocacy Day. Inviting people from different parts of the country helps us achieve our goal of bringing our message to as many members of Congress as possible.

You, your family members and your friends will have opportunities to spend time together. However, it may not be possible to pair you together for the training or actual Capitol Hill meetings, as we need all participants to attend the meetings with their own congressional delegation. Please feel free to contact our Government Affairs & Advocacy staff at advocacy@pancan.org or 202-742-6699 if you have questions or concerns.

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General Information

What is the attire for Advocacy Day?
Attire for the training sessions on Monday, June 24, is business casual (purple encouraged). We encourage you to bring layers as the temperature in the hotel can vary. Attire for Capitol Hill meetings on Tuesday, June 25, is business or business casual. Please also plan to wear comfortable shoes, as there is a fair amount of walking involved.

Weather in Washington, D.C., in June can be hot and humid, please check the weather to plan accordingly. Please note that you will have to go through security screenings to get into the congressional office buildings. Also, please keep in mind that you may need a photo ID for some meetings.

Are meals included?
We will provide breakfast and lunch on Monday, June 24. Dinner on Monday is not included, and we hope participants will use the time to get to know the other advocates in their meeting group and enjoy one of the great local restaurants. Breakfast will be provided on the morning of Tuesday, June 25.

Do I need to participate in the whole training session on Monday, June 24?
Yes. In fact, this training is mandatory for anyone who plans to visit members of Congress on Tuesday, June 25. We will cover critical topics and information that you can use in your meetings, and what we will be asking Congress to do. Please note that the messages we deliver to Congress are different every year.

Training will also include time for you to meet others with whom you will be attending Capitol Hill meetings, so you can strategize about who will say what. All meeting schedules will be distributed at the end of the day.

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