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The CCL Summer Conference & Lobby Day

Making Moves and Moving Congress

CCL's Summer Conference & Lobby Day

June 8-11, 2024

Washington, D.C.

picutre of three ccl volunteers in front of the US capitol building

Conference Overview

This June, lobby for the good of the planet on Capitol Hill. You’ll join with 1,000+ people from across the country to tell Congress that later is too late to stop the pollution that’s overheating the planet. But first, you’ll make connections, hear new ideas and get information that you can use on Capitol Hill and take back home with you to grow support for action in your community.

Conference speakers and sessions will cover a broad range of topics, like:

🏛 Near-term opportunities for climate policy in Congress

🤝 Bridging partisan divides that keep us from acknowledging the scope of the problem

🗳️ Making climate change a top priority in every 2024 election

Join us early on Saturday!

The conference officially kicks off on Sunday, June 9th, but you can join us early on Saturday, June 8th for some new conference offerings. If you are a student you’re invited to our first Student Summit. Or, choose one of two Saturday activities in the afternoon: writing postcards to voters, and having climate conversations with the public in Washington, D.C. Find more details in the FAQs.

Featured Speakers

Venue

omni shoreham hotel

Address

Omni Shoreham Hotel 2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20008 (202) 234-0700

CCL Room rate: $294/night + tax. Book by April 17, 2024 to receive this rate.

Program

Tentative Program - Subject to Change

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Are you a student who wants to level up your climate advocacy skills? Join us for our first Student Summit, a special day of learning, connecting, and strategizing with other young climate leaders. You’ll hear from students about their efforts to address climate change through a special CCL Five Levers workshop designed with you(th) in mind, design strategies for your group to move through times of “stuckness,” and build lasting friendships with a powerful network of change makers. There will also be an opportunity to get out in D.C. and do some grassroots climate outreach!

Join the watch party for CCL’s Monthly National Call.

The conference officially kicks off on Sunday, June 9th, but you can join us early on Saturday, June 8th for some new activities.

Writing Postcards to Voters

Join CCL’s largest postcard writing party! We’ll be writing postcards to voters to encourage them to get out and vote on election day.

Climate Conversations in D.C.

With the help of the Washington, D.C. CCL Chapter, we’re setting out into the city to talk with the public about climate.

Meet up with fellow attendees to catch up, and play board games.

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Leadership Training

Session designed for CCL Group Leaders, Liaisons, and State Coordinators. Led by CCL Staff.

Climate Advocate Workshop

This workshop will help newer volunteers (and seasoned volunteers who want a refresher) understand CCL’s method and vision and inspire you to find your role so you can hit the ground running. You’ll even have a chance to participate in a mock lobby meeting so you are well prepared for Lobby Day on June 11 (if you are participating). In this interactive workshop you will: Learn the basics of becoming an effective climate advocate through review of the CCL’s structure, mission, purpose and methodology of creating political will, Practice how to appeal to the best in others and build common ground, Review the details of CCL's Policy Agenda, Learn how to build constructive relationships with elected representatives and practice our lobbying methods.

Building Political Will Workshops

Table Topics in a "speed dating" workshop style. Rotate between tables led by CCL staff to help build up your skills as a CCL advocate!

Meet up with fellow attendees to catch up, and play board games.

Monday, June 10, 2024

photo of jerome foster II

Jerome Foster II

Founder & Executive Director of Waic Up

Join our DJ for a dance party and cash bar.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Cap off your conference & lobby day experience – celebrate your lobbying efforts, hear from first time lobbyists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

Who is invited to attend the Summer Conference & Lobby Day?

Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of your level of experience in CCL. We provide training for all levels of experience during the conference.

How do I register?

Visit our registration page to register. The registration deadline is May 20, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. NOTE: you should only register one person per transaction/ticket. If you are registering for multiple people, do so in separate transactions. Once you are finished with this registration, go back to the event page and select another ticket for the next person you are registering. Failure to do so will cause issues with our lobby scheduler.

Walk-in registration is available for the conference only (June 8-10). Walk-in registrants will not receive a lobby day schedule (for June 11th).

Is there a registration fee?

Yes, registration fees and deadlines are as follows: 

  • Conference Registration Early Bird: $129 (closes April 1, 11:59 p.m. ET) 
  • Conference Registration Regular: $179 (starts April 2 – closes May 20, 11:59 p.m. ET)
  • Student/Low income Conference Registration: $30 (closes May 20, 11:59 p.m. ET)

Are scholarships available?

We have two scholarships available: Conservative (apply here) and Inclusion (apply here). The deadline to apply for a scholarship is April 5, 2024. 

We strive to keep registration fees low to make it possible for as many people who want to attend to be able to do so. To request a registration discount or fee waiver, please email .

For financial support to offset travel and lodging for the conference, we recommend talking with your Group Leader or State or Regional Coordinator about local fundraising efforts. Some volunteers have donated hotel or airline points to help other volunteers reduce their costs. You might also check out these conference fundraising ideas on CCL Community.

Are meals included in the registration fee?

We will be having a post-lobby day reception the evening of Tuesday, June 11th which includes hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. All other meals are on your own. The area is packed with restaurants.

Is my registration fee transferable?

Registration fees are not transferable.

May I pay by check?

Yes. When you register and you get to the payment section of the registration process, select “pay by check” and continue with the rest of the registration form. Please mail your check, made payable to Citizens’ Climate Education, to PO Box 181020, Coronado, CA 92178. Please put “2024 Summer Conference” in the memo. Your payment must be received by May 20th.

Can minors (those under 18 years old) attend the conference?

Yes! CCL believes in empowering young voices. Please note that conference attendees under the age of 18 require additional steps for registration. Here are the considerations to be aware and steps to should take:

  1. All conference attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian or chaperone. Chaperones must be approved by parents/legal guardians via a permission slip. Permission slips must be received by May 15, otherwise may result in canceled registration.
  2. Both the chaperone or parent/legal guardian and the minor must be registered for the conference.
  3. One chaperone may be responsible for one minor on lobby day. The minor and chaperone will receive the same lobby schedule.
  4. A personalized permission slip link will be sent to the minor and their parent/legal guardian after registering. For any questions regarding permission slips or attending the conference as a minor, please email .

 

What should I do if I need to cancel?

If you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible by email or by phone at (619) 437-7142. The deadline for cancellations and refunds is May 20th. Refunds are only available through May 20th (you can still cancel after May 20th but we cannot process your refund).

Are walk-in registrations accepted?

Yes, you can walk-in to the conference and register. We can accept credit/debit cards, and personal checks only. Registration prices are $179 for conference registration or $30 for student/low income conference registration. Walk-in registration includes conference sessions June 8-10 only; walk-in registrants will not receive a lobby day schedule for June 11th.

What is the COVID-19 guidance for this conference?

We are grateful for the layers of protection and public education that now exist to keep us as safe as possible at our upcoming in-person conference. We want to acknowledge that the risks are not the same for everyone and that people must determine for themselves what risks to take. We trust that you will make the best decision for yourself regarding your attendance at the event and what precautions you take, such as vaccinations, boosters, social distancing, and wearing a mask. At this time we will not be requiring testing before or during the conference, or mask wearing at the conference. We ask attendees to support people in their personal choice about wearing masks. If you are not feeling well in the days leading up to or at the conference, we ask that you stay home or isolate yourself. We will refund your conference registration fee upon request. If you must cancel your attendance to the conference due to COVID-19 or illness, please let us know as soon as you can by emailing . We will be streaming portions of the conference for those who cannot attend. Thank you in advance for being thoughtful and courteous to other attendees.

Is there an option to attend the conference virtually?

There will be some conference sessions that we are live streaming on Zoom and YouTube (the program above will be updated to show which sessions will be streaming). Registration for the virtual portion of the conference will open when the in-person registration closes. The virtual conference is free.

Program & Agenda

Where can I find the conference schedule?

We’ll be making updates to the program as we get closer to the conference, so be sure to check back for the most up-to-date agenda. You’ll find the conference schedule on this webpage you are currently viewing, scroll up to the “Program” section to find the conference agenda.

What is the CCL Climate Advocate Workshop?

The Climate Advocate Workshop focuses on CCL, our history, and our methods for generating political will, as well as the basics of how to lobby Congress using CCL’s specific approach. The training occurs at our National and Regional Conferences, and when we are initiating a brand new group in a new area. If you’re new to CCL or you have never attended this training before we strongly encourage you to attend it in person at the conference, or you can sign up for a virtual version of the workshop here. This training is required to lobby with CCL.

 

What are the details for the Saturday Activities?

The conference officially kicks off on Sunday, June 9th, but you can join us early on Saturday, June 8th for some new activities. There is no additional cost for Saturday activities. If interested in participating, be sure to indicate so during your registration. 

There are three choices:

  • Our first Student Summit (tentatively: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Are you a student who wants to level up your climate advocacy skills? Join us for a special day of learning, connecting, and strategizing with other young climate leaders. You’ll hear from students about their efforts to address climate change through a special CCL Five Levers workshop designed with you(th) in mind, design strategies for your group to move through times of “stuckness,” and build lasting friendships with a powerful network of changemakers. There will also be an opportunity to get out in DC and do some grassroots climate outreach!
  • Writing Postcards to Voters (2 – 4 p.m.): Join CCL’s largest postcard writing party! We’ll be writing postcards to voters to encourage them to get out and vote on election day.  
  • Climate Conversations in D.C. (2 – 4 p.m.): With the help of the Washington, D.C. CCL Chapter, we’re setting out into the city to talk with the public about climate. 

Lodging & Travel

What are the details on the host hotel?

The host hotel is the Omni Shoreham, located at 2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20008. For conference attendees, the rate starts at $294 per night plus tax with up to four people per room. You must book by April 17th to receive the CCL rate. Visit our group room block reservation page on the hotel’s website to make your reservation. Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis and fill up quickly, we suggest you make your reservation early.

Is there a dress code for the conference?

Casual or business casual attire is just fine for the conference June 8-10. If participating in lobby day on June 11th, we suggest business attire. That might mean, a suit and tie, dress pants or skirt with a professional top, or sweater, and jacket, or a dress. You can check out this folder of photos from past lobby days for some outfit inspiration. Everyone should wear comfortable shoes (or bring a bag big enough to hide comfy shoes to change into between meetings). There will be a lot of walking in D.C., and many seasoned CCL lobbyists can tell you about their sore feet!

How can I find a roommate?

In order to facilitate the coordination of searching for roommates you will need to sign CCL’s  Liability Waiver for the Room Share Forum. Read the terms on that page and express your consent to the terms.  After you click submit you’ll be redirected to the room share forum.  To find the forum later, on Community go to Connect With Others -> Sitewide Forums -> General -> Room Share.

Are there other lodging accommodations nearby?

We only have a room block secured at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, our conference venue.

You can find nearby hotels on Hotels.com.

Hostels (dorm style accommodations):

You also might consider renting through Airbnb or Vrbo.

Is there a subway/rail system near the Omni Shoreham hotel?

Yes, DC’s rail service is called Metro. The Red Line stops at Woodley Park, which is a couple of blocks away from the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Check out this DC Metro Trip Planner for additional information.

How do you get from Union Station to the Omni Shoreham hotel?

From Union Station, take the Red Line going toward Shady Grove (Northwest) to the Woodley Park station (six stops). Walk two blocks to the Omni Shoreham Hotel by heading out of the Woodley Park station at the 24th Street NW & Connecticut Ave exit and proceed down Calvert Street. The Omni Shoreham Hotel address is 2500 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC, 20008.

Is there parking at the Omni Shoreham Hotel?

Valet parking is available at the hotel at the rate of $55/day. Self-parking is not available.

Are there restaurants near the hotel?

Find nearby restaurants on Yelp.com or on the Omni Shoreham’s website.

Lobbying

How many members of Congress (MOCs) will we meet with?

In lobby days past we’ve met with over 400 offices, we hope to meet that goal again this year!

Is there a maximum number of lobbyists for Lobby Day?

We have a limit of 1,200 citizen lobbyists for Lobby Day. If you want to participate in lobbying, we encourage you to register early. However, there is plenty of room at the conference itself June 9-10. Even if you can’t lobby, we hope you will take advantage of the speakers, workshops, and opportunity to network with like-minded volunteers at the conference.

How many lobby meetings will I have? How many volunteers will be on the lobby teams?

Based on our past experience, with so many people wanting to lobby, we expect each person to have 2-3 lobby meetings, with 4-6 volunteer lobbyists in each meeting. This is subject to change, of course, depending on how many offices we schedule appointments with and the timing of those meetings.

What is the process for creating lobby teams?

We will do our best to put constituents in their congressperson’s meeting though sometimes there are more constituents than space in an office. We estimate each citizen lobbyist to have 2-3 meetings. Given we’ll have attendees from around the country, lobby teams will have a mix of 5-6 constituents and non-constituents.

How are lobby schedules created?

Lobby teams and schedules are coordinated in conjunction with CCL State Coordinators and Regional Directors and a software program that prioritizes constituents and existing liaisons to be placed in their district meeting if possible.

We cross reference the availability you provided when you registered, and we place you into appointments based on your availability, your congressional district, and the need for volunteers to fill meetings where we do not have any or enough constituents to fill the meeting. We try to have no more than 4-6 people per meeting, depending on the number of people we have attending Lobby Day. We estimate each volunteer lobbyist to have 2-3 meetings. 

We kindly ask that you love the schedule you receive. The process of coordinating the schedule is complex and changes have domino effects. Often there are more constituents than space available in Capitol Hill offices. Sometimes congressional staffers have requested a limit on the number of people attending the meeting. If for any reason you cannot attend a meeting we ask that you notify the meeting leader, which can be found on your lobby schedule.

What time will lobby meetings be scheduled on June 11th?

Lobby meetings on June 11th can be scheduled starting at 8:30 a.m., most end by 5:30 p.m. If you need to end your lobby day earlier than 5:30 p.m., when you register please indicate the time you are available until (you can potentially be scheduled for a meeting to start 1 hour prior to the time indicated. For example, if you indicate in your registration you are available until 3 p.m., you could be scheduled for a meeting that starts at 2 p.m.). If you have any questions about your availability or schedule please email .

When will I be notified of the lobby team I am on?

Lobby day registration closes May 20th, 11:59 p.m. ET sharp, no exceptions. This gives us enough time to assemble the lobby teams and schedules from available lobbyists. We’ll notify you of your team members the week of June 5th, so you’ll have plenty of time to meet with your team to plan before lobby day on June 11th.

Who makes the appointments for lobby meetings in D.C.?

Designated CCL Congressional Liaisons or Appointment Setters will make appointments with congressional offices. In some cases, CCL interns will make appointments. If you have questions about the appointment setting process or responsibilities, email .

How are lobby schedules created for minors?

To attend the conference and to lobby, attendees under the age of 18 must submit a signed parents’ permission form by May 15th. Send an email to for assistance. The name of the parent or guardian that is accompanying the minor must be provided. Minors will be scheduled to lobby with their parent/guardian/chaperone. There is a limit of one minor per chaperone.

Can I request to be in a specific lobby meeting?

Yes, special requests can be submitted once you register. After you register, you will receive two confirmation emails. In one of the two confirmation emails there will be a link to submit special relationships and/or requests. Please keep in mind that we prioritize constituents to meet with their members of Congress, and there are no scheduling guarantees.

May I change the lobby schedule I receive?

We kindly ask that you love the schedule you receive. The process of coordinating the lobby day schedules is complex and changes have domino effects. Often there are more constituents than space available in Capitol Hill offices. Sometimes congressional staffers have requested a limit on the number of people attending the meeting. If for any reason you cannot attend a meeting, we ask that you notify the meeting leader, which can be found on your lobby schedule.

Can I drop in to a Lobby Meeting?

No, please do not just drop in to a lobby meeting or join a team you aren’t assigned to. Consult your Regional Director or for advice if you think it is imperative that you be in a certain meeting. We put a lot of effort and advance planning into creating lobby teams, including making sure they aren’t too large and making sure everyone who is registered to lobby is part of a lobby team. Lobby day is not a drop-in event. Advance registration and our Climate Advocate Workshop & Lobby Training are expected of everyone who wishes to participate in the lobby day.

How do I prepare for Lobby Day?

Whether it’s your first time lobbying or your tenth, visit our Prepare for Lobby Day page (will be updated for the June 11th Lobby Day soon) to read through our recommended resources as a guide to walk you through the process of planning a powerful Lobby Day experience and the upcoming calendar of deadlines, helpful links and training. Plan to attend live, or watch the recordings for the virtual Citizens’ Climate University Lobby Day Trainings (dates TBD). We’ll also have Lobby Day training during the conference on June 9-10.

We ask the leader for each lobby team to contact the team members as soon as possible to arrange a time to prepare for the meeting. If you don’t hear from your team lead, you can also contact them. All contact information for your team will be on your schedule which will be emailed to you on June 5th. Teams are encouraged to meet virtually prior to arriving in D.C. as you will have several days to prepare prior to lobby day.

Will lobby teams have time to prepare for their lobby meeting during the conference?

Lobby meeting preparation matters! Given our busy conference agenda, it is not possible to designate specific times at the conference for each team to meet. We will have one hour set aside in the conference agenda specifically for meeting planning. We suggest you meet with your 3 p.m. lobby meeting team (based on past lobby days, this is the most popular lobby meeting time, so you will likely have a meeting at this time). Teams can also find time to meet during meal breaks and during the evenings when there is free time in the conference schedule.

Lobby Team Leaders: Individuals selected as Lobby Team Leaders will be alerted of such by June 3rd. We ask Team Leaders to contact their team members as soon as you receive your schedule on June 5th (via email and/or text) to arrange a time to prepare for the meeting virtually, or schedule something in-person at the conference. All contact information for your team will be on your schedule.

Team Members (non Team Leaders): Expect to hear from your Team Leader to arrange time virtually or in-person at the conference to plan your meeting. If you don’t hear from your Team Leader, you can also contact them. All contact information for your team will be on your schedule which will be emailed to you on June 5th.

What should a citizen lobbyist wear?

We suggest business attire for those participating in Lobby Day on Capitol Hill. That might mean, a suit and tie, dress pants or skirt with a professional top, or sweater, and jacket, or a dress. You can check out this folder of photos from past lobby days for some outfit inspiration. Everyone should wear comfortable shoes (or bring a bag big enough to hide comfy shoes to change into between meetings). There will be a lot of walking in D.C., and many seasoned CCL lobbyists can tell you about their sore feet! Casual or business casual attire is just fine for the conference itself June 8-10.

What should I do with my luggage/bags while I am lobbying on Capitol Hill?

We recommend checking your bags at the front desk of your hotel if you plan to leave D.C. on Wednesday. Make sure you leave plenty of time for your last lobbying appointment (it could start as late as 5:30 p.m.) to get back to the hotel, pick up your bags, and then get to the airport or train station.

Another option is to consider luggage storage services such as Vertoe or Bounce.

We strongly recommend you NOT to take your luggage with you to Capitol Hill. You may experience problems with security at the federal buildings, you will be doing a lot of walking throughout the day, and the House and Senate offices are all very small and cannot accommodate luggage.