CSMG Advocacy Day
Each year at CSMG, we take our message to Congress sharing issues the affect those who are poor and vulnerable.
Advocacy at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
One of the most important aspects of the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) is meeting with members of Congress and their staff on issues of key concern to Catholics. In partnership with The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, CSMG identifies key, relevant legislative priorities. Keynote presentations and workshops throughout the Gathering equip participants with advocacy skills and knowledge, while education on the identified legislative priorities helps participants speak with a unified voice when meeting with their officials on Capitol Hill on the last day of the Gathering. Briefing materials are made available in mid-January, and State Captains help organize state delegations so participants can learn best practices for advocacy and effectively articulate the Catholic position on the year's legislative priorities.
CSMG participants attend the following advocacy-related events to prepare for meeting with their elected officials on the last day of the Gathering. Dates, times, and additional details will be provided in the agenda.
Advocacy 101 Training: Intended for those new to legislative advocacy
State Captain Caucus: State captains and co-captains meet to finalize details on organizing their state delegations and receive Capitol Hill "leave behind packets." (State captains are identified ahead of time.)
Legislative Issues Briefing: Domestic and International policy briefings on this year's legislative issues – this is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and receive the most up-to-date information on the issues we will be advocating for on Capitol Hill.
State Delegation Meetings: State delegations meet with their state captain.
Advocacy and Policy Q&A: Sharpen skills and answer lingering questions on policy issues before heading to Capitol Hill.
Capitol Hill Visits: The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul leads participants in meeting with their elected officials in person. Don't forget to leave a packet of information with each office you visit. State captains will distribute packets to their delegations. If you need additional packets, see the registration desk for more copies.
Capitol Hill Reception: Participants gather on Capitol Hill for a shared meal after advocacy visits. Please invite Members of Congress and their staff to attend. Copies of the invitation will be in the CSMG "leave-behind packets."
After CSMG we encourage you to continue the effort at home by planning "District Visits" with your Senators, Representatives, or their staff members back in your home state or district. District Visits help us, in the words of Pope Francis, "dialogue, dialogue, dialogue" with our political leaders, as well as deepen the relationships we hope that you established during your CSMG Capitol Hill Visits in Washington D.C. Visits throughout the year help Catholics to connect the efforts of national organizations with the voices of local communities, partner organizations, parishioners, and dedicated volunteers in support of the legislative priorities of the Church advanced at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington D.C.