HUMANITIES ON THE HILL UPDATES – February 6, 2020
With less than a month before Humanities on the Hill (HoH), here’s what you need to know for your Hill visits before and during the event, what materials and prep the Federation provides, and where to find additional information to assist with any advocacy needs.
While our members and the Federation advocate throughout the year, Humanities on the Hill is the ONLY time where the humanities council community comes together in Washington, DC to advocate together for federal funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which supports the nationwide network of individual and organizational humanists, as well as the Federal/State Partnership, an office within NEH that directly supports the humanities councils. We strongly encourage all councils to attend and are looking forward to welcoming you March 3-5 in Washington, DC.
OUR FY 2021 REQUEST: In collaboration with the National Humanities Alliance, Americans for the Arts, and other NEH/NEA supported organizations the Federation is requesting $170 million for NEH for FY 2021 and $54 million for the NEH Federal/State Partnership Office. Our FY 2021 Position Paper and Talking Points will be released next week.
PRIOR TO HUMANITIES ON THE HILL
- Contact your state representatives to schedule your Capitol Hill visits.
Councils are responsible for contacting and scheduling their own Hill visits with their state representatives and senators prior to Humanities on the Hill. If you have any questions or concerns about how to do this, please reach out to us at connect@statehumanities.org and we’ll be happy to assist.
- Book the Federation’s photographer to capture your Hill visits occurring on Wednesday, March 4.
The Federation provides a photographer on a first-come, first-served basis to capture Hill visits that are occurring on Wednesday, March 4. They will also be at the Congressional Reception that evening. Once your Hill visits are scheduled, please click here to indicate the time, congressional office, and location preferred. The deadline for requests is Friday, February 28. BOOK THE PHOTOGRAPHER
- Invite your congressional member and staff to the Wednesday, March 4 Congressional Reception!
This is a great time for members to interact with and learn more about the humanities council community! They are welcome to address the group, share remarks, or just enjoy conversation. In previous years, we’ve had the NEH Chairman, Smithsonian Provost, Chairs of the House Humanities Caucus, and several other Representatives address the group. A digital invitation is available on the Humanities on the Hill event website and printed ones will be available for members to pick up at the Members Briefing on Tuesday, March 3 to leave behind during their Hill visits.
- Read the FY 2021 Advocacy Handbook, Position Paper and Talking Points and attend the Advocacy Webinar on Friday, February 14.
Tomorrow, we will be distributing the FY 2021 Advocacy Handbook, which contains valuable information for your office visits. Additionally, next week, the Federation’s FY 2021 Position Paper and Talking Points will be released. Be sure to keep an eye on your inboxes for these materials.
On Friday, February 14 at 2:00 pm EST, we are hosting a webinar featuring Christopher Sommerich (NE) and Julie Ziegler (WA) who will provide details on what to bring to your Hill visits. Additionally, the webinar will provide an update on the appropriations process and what to expect leading up to Humanities on the Hill. There will also be plenty of time for questions. To join the HoH Advocacy Webinar, dial 1-800-250-2600 and enter in the pin number: 99897377.
Finally, as part of our 2017-18 Humanities in American Life initiative, we created a series of briefing papers and videos to generate greater public awareness of the humanities, its importance in everyday American life, and the awesome work of the humanities councils. Feel free to use these resources, as needed to talk about your programs and the nationwide network of humanities councils.
- Stay connected to HoH information and updates.
The Federation provides a number of resources to stay informed about Humanities on the Hill, advocacy, and the appropriations process. Detailed below are several of the resources:
- Website: Humanities on the Hill Event Website featuring hotel and travel logistics, event agenda and materials, advocacy materials (as available), registration information and login, and event frequently asked questions.
- Newsletter: “This Week on the Hill” Advocacy and Humanities on the Hill (distributed weekly)
- Members Group: Advocacy Listserv (email connect@statehumanities.org to subscribe)
- HoH App: A link to download the HoH app, or update it from last year, will be sent to all individuals who provided their email addresses when registering for this year’s Humanities on the Hill by mid to late February. An announcement will go out on the advocacy newsletter and listserv when the invitations are sent.
- #HumHill20: This is the hashtag we’ll be using on social media with any Humanities on the Hill updates. Be sure to join in the conversation, post your best advocacy tips, share updates and photos, and connect to all those attending by using #HumHill20 in your related posts!
AT HUMANITIES ON THE HILL
- New to HoH or need a refresher? Join us at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 3 for the Members Orientation.
Spend 15 minutes with our Legislative Committee and veteran advocates Shannon Smith (WA) and Bill Goodman (KY) to learn what to expect during Humanities on the Hill and receive pointers on how to conduct a Hill visit.
- Attend the Members Briefing to hear from Hill staffers, the Federation’s legislative counsel, and veteran advocates about what to expect this year.
Held immediately after the Members Orientation, join us on Tuesday, March 3 at 4:15 pm to learn the latest about the FY 2021 appropriations process, share advocacy best practices, and hear perspectives and tips from Hill staffers. During the briefing, there will be a chance to ask questions of the Federation’s Legislative Committee, Legislative Counsel, and others presenting.
- Use the HoH mobile app!
So helpful, it’s worth mentioning it twice! The Humanities on the Hill app will contain all advocacy materials distributed prior to Humanities on the Hill, maps for Capitol Hill and the metro, and links to other important information. Additionally, you can message other attendees who have set up a profile in the app, post directly to social media, ask questions of the FSHC staff, and receive notifications of important events and updates related to HoH. The invitation to download the app will be sent in mid-late February to all email addresses registered for Humanities on the Hill. Questions? Please email connect@statehumanities.org.
- Invite members and attend the Congressional Reception on Wednesday, March 4.
Be sure to pick up the printed hardcopy invitations to the Congressional Reception at the Registration Desk just outside the Members Briefing on Tuesday, March 3. These are a great leave-behind to encourage your representatives and their staff to attend the Wednesday evening Congressional Reception at the Rayburn Building, room 2043/44. Members can share remarks and learn more about the incredible work of the humanities council community by attending!
- Use #HumHill20 to join the conversation on social media.
Share updates, post pictures, and join in the advocacy conversation on social media using #HumHill20!
- Learn from each other’s Hill experiences at the Members Debrief and Breakfast on Thursday, March 5.
Attend the Members Debrief on Thursday, March 5 to report out on your Hill experiences and hear how our advocacy was received across the various offices on the Hill. Each Humanities on the Hill registration includes two complimentary tickets to the debrief event.
- Complete the Congressional Contact Form for each HoH Hill Visit conducted.
Please fill out the Congressional Contact form for each Hill visit conducted. These forms provide invaluable information to the Federation office. They allow us to schedule appropriate follow up and enable us to accurately position our messages to Congress. This form will be posted in the mobile app and on the HoH event website. Printed copies will also be available at each event for you to fill out onsite.
If you have any further questions about what you’ve read or Humanities on the Hill in general, please email us at events@statehumanities.org.
See you in March!
