Embedded Files
Q: Is Lobby Days a required part of the SOCW 512: SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY AND POLICY PRACTICE class?
A: Learning about advocacy and the legislative process is a critical learning outcome of the class. There is a required California Policy Paper as part of the class to meet this learning outcome. However, because Lobby Days provides an experiential learning opportunity that meets these requirements, students who attend the event do not have to write the California Policy Paper.
Q: What should I expect from Lobby Days?
A: Lobby Days is an exciting opportunity to meet with social workers and students from every accredited social work school in the state of California. The event is attended by over social work 1,500 students: your future colleagues! There will be some student-run events like a Sunday evening BBQ. More information to follow
Q: Do I have to make a legislative appointment?
A: Students enrolled in SOCW 512 must reserve a legislative appointment. BSW students are also required to reserve a legislative appointment. Please try to reserve a district that is associated with where you live. Legislative appointments run out quickly and so please reserve ASAP. If your district does not have any more appointments left, you make select another district. The whole point of the Lobby Days event is for you to Lobby with your legislators on Monday.
Q: What are the legislative bills we will lobby for?
A: The California Chapter of NASW will announce the bills about one month prior to Lobby Days. For last year's bills please see NASW website for information: http://www.naswca.org/?page=164
Q: How do I prepare for Lobby Days?
A: The legislative bills will be discussed in policy classes. In addition, you may engage in your own research to expand your understanding.
Q: What should I wear?
A: On Sunday, please plan on wearing a coordinated APU T-shirt. Students who register by the 1/31 deadline will receive a free tshirt from the department. The convention facility gets a bit chilly, so please plan on bringing a light jacket.
On Monday, please wear professional attire for your legislative appointment.
Q: Can I stay with friends/relatives in Sacramento?
A: Yes. Be mindful that parking arrangements are very difficult in downtown Sacramento.
Q: How will transportation be arranged?
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation. If you plan on carpooling with other students, then please be mindful of sharing fuel and mileage costs.
Q: How much should I budget for Lobby Days?
A: Your Lobby Days budget will depend on a variety of factors, but most importantly your transportation (driving vs. flying) and accommodations (hotel, Airbnb, number of people you split it with, etc) will determine your budget. The sooner you book your accommodation, the cheaper the costs will be, so please book accordingly. Here are a few costs to keep in mind:
Lobby Days Registration: $70 (early bird NASW member fee) to $135
Transportation: $50 (for carpooling costs) to $250 (flying)
Lodging: Free (if staying with family/friends) to $500 (staying at your own hotel)
Meals
Sightseeing/Activities
Based on the above, your trip could be as inexpensive as $150 dollars if you have free lodging and you plan on a budget. Alternatively, if you wait until the last minute for planning and have no alternative but to fly and stay at a hotel by yourself, the costs could go upwards of $800. Pre-planning and budgeting is key!
Q: What hotel should I book?
A: We recommend that you stay in a hotel adjacent to the capitol and convention center so that you do not have to worry about parking and you can walk to your activities. There are a number of hotels within walking distance to these two buildings. Alternatively, some students are able to book an Airbnb or a farther hotel, and Uber into downtown together. Some websites you can use for hotel booking are kayak.com or hotwire.com.
Q: I heard other schools offset costs by helping to pay for things like registration or transportation. Can APU do that?
Other schools are able to do this by folding in the costs of Lobby Days into tuition or via a required lab fee with a class. We have decided not to do this because we are not making Lobby Days a required event. Students are welcome to initiate their own fundraising events, creating a GoFundMe page to send to friends and family, or to plan on some extra part-time work over the Christmas break to help pay for the event. Our department will provide a coordinated APU t-shirt to every student who registers by the early deadline.
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