Our Day on the Hill is March 21

MAPE Day on the Hill 2018

When: Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Check-in begins 8:30 a.m. There will be a midday program from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and appointments with legislators will be throughout the day. Lunch will be provided for members.

Where: State Capitol Building, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, St Paul. Registration and general check-in will be in L’ Etoile du Nord Vault Room B15; Program will be in the Rotunda.

Not sure what MAPE Day on Hill is all about? Need some tips? See this short training video here:
MAPE Day on the Hill 2018

Example of MAPE issues: Talking points and issue briefs will be provided in advance to registrants and in packets including:

• 2017-19 MAPE contract.
• Pensions.
• Addressing sexual harassment in state agencies.
• Equal Rights Amendment.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the L’Etoile Du Nord room two floors directly below the rotunda. There will be a program at 11 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda. Light breakfast and lunch vouchers will be provided. Lost time and travel expenses will not be covered by the MAPE Office. Vacation or unpaid leave may be used as approved by your supervisor.

Members will be scheduled to attend 15-minute appointments with both their state representative and state senator. Staff and volunteers will make the appointments for registrants.

You don't have to be there for the entire day just to participate. Appointments will be sent out in advance, so you may come for just that portion.

Questions: Devin Bruce, dbruce@mape.org or 219-798-0923.

FAQ

Where can I park?
Prior to MAPE’s Day on the Hill, registrants will be emailed their appointment times. At that time, we will also email a map of nearby metered parking locations.

How long will my legislative appointments last?
Meetings are generally limited to 15 minutes for all groups, large and small. It’s important to use your time wisely. Keep your introductions very brief to ensure you have enough time to talk about all of the legislative priority talking points provided in advance and in your packet. When you’re done, be sure to thank your legislator, their staff and have one person in the group leave the talking points sheet with the legislator or their legislative assistant.

Do I have to be there for the entire day to participate?
No, you need not be there for the entire day to participate. Appointments will be sent out in advance, so you may come for just that portion.

How do I find my legislative offices?
On the day of your appointments, you will receive a packet including the specific room number and location for your meeting. There are directories and maps located on each floor. There will also be MAPE volunteers located in both the Capitol and State Office Building to direct you. They will be wearing MAPE shirts to help you identify them. If you do not know where to go, ask right away. If you are late for your appointment, the appointment will be canceled and not rescheduled for that day.

Do I get paid for attending a Day on the Hill?
No. Due to the recently adopted policies, MAPE Office will not be providing lost time or travel reimbursement. Check with your local to see if they plan to provide reimbursements for Day on the Hill attendance.

What if I don’t know the names of my legislators prior to my appointment?
The names and office locations will be provided in your packet.

Will I be going to my legislative appointments by myself?
In most cases, attendees will be joining other members in legislative meetings. Your packet will list other members who will be attending the appointments with you. If you are the only registrant meeting with a legislator, you may ask a volunteer or staff to attend with you.

Where do I go when I am not in my meetings?
You are welcome to sit in on any legislative hearings, tour the Capitol, spend time in one of the cafeterias or sit in our room (L'etoile du Nord Vault in B15) while you wait. Jackets and miscellaneous items of minimal value may be left in the conference room during your appointments. A legislative calendar of meetings will be available at registration on March 21.

What if my legislator asks me questions I don’t know the answer to?
There is no harm in saying you don’t know. The purpose of MAPE’s Day on the Hill is for members to let their legislators know about important issues that affect them or their families. Please hand legislators the “Legislative Issue Summary” sheet, which also includes contact information for MAPE’s legislative staff.

When will I be able to leave?
Members are free to leave once your final legislative meeting of the day is over. We ask that you fill out an evaluation sheet and a feedback form in regard to your meeting and leave them in L'etoile du Nord Vault in B15.

How do I report back what happens in my meetings?
Use the Day on the Hill feedback form from your packet to report back information about your meetings. Any follow-up will be done by staff after the Day on the Hill appointments have concluded. Please leave that form in L'etoile du Nord Vault in B15 before departing from the Capitol.

More questions?
Feel free to flag down a MAPE staff member or volunteer. If you have a cell phone, call Devin Bruce at 219-798-0923 with questions.