invite your organization to co-sponsor the seventh annual

> Humanities Advocacy Day (HAD), to be held Wednesday, March 1 through
> Thursday, March 2, 2006 in Washington, DC.
>
> Humanities Advocacy Day is organized by the National Humanities
> Alliance to promote federal support for scholarly research, education,
> public programs and preservation in the humanities.
>
> The event provides an important opportunity for advocates to
> communicate the public value of the humanities to policymakers in
> Washington, DC.   Participants take part in activities over two-days,
> including:
>
> o     Policy briefing and advocacy workshop
> o     Hill reception and exhibit of federally-supported humanities projects
> o     Meetings with Members of Congress and Congressional staff
>
> Humanities Advocacy Day helps NHA and individual advocates lay the
> groundwork for policy efforts throughout the year.  It is an integral
> part of demonstrating strong bipartisan support for the National
> Endowment for the Humanities in both the House and Senate.  Due to the
> tremendous effort of advocates across the country, NEH received a $5
> million increase through votes on the House and Senate Floors for FY
> 2006-- a significant achievement given national budget constraints. 
> Other advances in 2005 include:
>
> o     Visits to more than 140 Congressional offices representing 27 states
> during HAD 2005
> o     'Dear Colleague' letters urging increased funding for the National
> Endowment for the Humanities, ultimately generating 127 endorsements
> in the House and 35 in the Senate
> o     'Dear Colleague' letter garnering support for the National
> Historical Publications and Records Commission
> o     A growing House Humanities Caucus with 60+ Members
> o     A new Senate Cultural Caucus with 26 Members
>
> Your sponsorship will allow us to continue to present a meaningful and
> effective Humanities Advocacy Day.
>
> Please return the Sponsorship Form by December 19, 2005 to Erin Smith.
>  Thank you for your support.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Jessica Jones Irons
> Executive Director
>
>
>
> Humanities Advocacy Day 2006 Sponsorship Information
>
> Event Schedule
> The Humanities Advocacy Day 2006 schedule follows that of recent years:
>
> o     Day One (Wednesday, March 1): Briefing on Legislation and Advocacy;
> Capitol Hill Reception and Exhibit of NEH-Supported Programs and
> Research
> o     Day Two (Thursday, March 2):  Congressional Office Visits; Debriefing
>
> The briefing and registration will be held at the City Center Hotel
> (Foggy Bottom/Dupont Circle), where a block of sleeping rooms has been
> reserved at the subsidized nightly rate of $169 for participants.
>
> Capitol Hill Meetings
> Registered participants will be assigned to a group for congressional
> visits, usually by state affiliation.  A volunteer coordinator is
> identified for each group.  This state coordinator schedules
> appointments for the group and serves as primary contact for NHA
> staff.  NHA staff will maintain a master schedule of all congressional
> appointments.
>
> Sponsorship Details
> 1.  Financial Support:  As a co-sponsor, your organization is asked to
> make a contribution of $600 to help defray the direct costs associated
> with the event, including catering, space rental, hotel, printing,
> mailing, and other supplies.  In order to promote participation and
> accessibility, participants are not asked to pay a registration fee. 
> Many participants cover transportation costs personally and NHA wants
> to ensure that those who wish to participate are able.  NHA members
> please note:  This contribution is distinct from the annual NHA
> membership fee, and will not count towards dues payment.
>
> 2. Promotion & Recruitment:  NHA relies on sponsors to promote HAD and
> encourage participation.  As a trusted source of information, your
> organization can be immensely helpful in getting the word out, as well
> as identifying individuals who would serve as effective advocates. 
> Our goal is for each sponsoring organization to recruit at least 5
> participants.  NHA will provide invitational materials for your
> organization to distribute.  Special recognition will be awarded to
> the organization that recruits the most participants in 2006. 
> Sponsoring organizations are not expected to cover the costs of their
> individual members’ participation in the event. Online registration
> will be available at <http:www.nhalliance.org/had/>.
>
> 3.  Planning:  NHA works with a steering committee to help plan and
> coordinate advocacy day.  All sponsors are invited to designate a
> representative to participate on the committee.  This is entirely
> optional, and usually involves 3-4 meetings (with conference call
> options).  The first conference call meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
> December 20th at 3:00pm.
>
> 4.  Volunteers:  Volunteers are needed to help staff registration
> tables at the briefing and reception.  In the past, sponsoring
> organizations have been extremely generous in lending local staff for
> a few hours to assist with the event.
>
> Co-Sponsors are featured in all registration and advocacy materials.
>
> Sponsorship Confirmation
> Please take a moment to complete the attached “Sponsorship Form” and
> return it by fax (202.872.0884), post, or email
> <esmith@nhalliance.org> by December 19, 2005, ATTN: Erin Smith,
> Communications & Membership Officer.  We are immensely grateful to our
> sponsors of past years, and thank those organizations that have
> already agreed to return as sponsors for 2006.  A list of 2005
> Humanities Advocacy Day sponsors is also attached.