Bird-Dogging Training on Thursday, August 30th

DC Fights Back will be hosting a bird-dogging training by Paul Davis of Health GAP as part of the O8 Stop AIDS project (www.08stopaids.org). The training will happen on Thursday August 30th, from 1:30 to 5:30 PM at the Center for Non-profit Advancement. AIDS Vote has this to say about bird-dogging:

"Bird-dogging is the name given to the activist tactic of attending public appearances in order to win new policies from politicians. With this direct interaction between activists and decision makers, it’s easy to have a big impact through the simple act of bringing a few people to an event, working together to raise your hands and asking questions that provoke an answer from the target politician."

Often, we work very hard to reach decision makers through intermediaries like their staff or the media. We make phone calls or write letters that are (hopefully) answered by policy maker's secretary or legislative assistant or special advisor. Calls, letters and lobby visits to staff are very important and necessary work. However, we should take every opportunity we have to directly reach policy makers, especially at public appearances like campaign events or town meetings when the people we need to say "yes" are outside of the protective bubbles they surround themselves with. Public events are especially valuable since activists can often gain direct access and get an answer in front of members of the public and media, so we can hold politicians accountable for their promises.

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is located at 1666 K Street, NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20006. They are in the same building as McCormick and Schmidt, conveniently located near two Metro Stations; Farragut West – 17th Street exit and Farragut North K Street exit.