Legislative Advocacy Conference 2015 

The Arc Massachusetts “Legislative Advocacy Conference Training” will be held on January 12th and 13th, 2015. This is a day and a half long event that will begin at 10am on Monday, January 12th and continue Tuesday, January 13th with legislative visits from 9:30am to 11 am.  You can attend Monday and visit your legislator in the district on another date if attending on both days is a hardship. This is a chance to learn and connect with representatives and senators early in the legisltative session.

Monday, January 12-  The Conference begins at 10 am and ends at 4:30 pm.  The Church on the Hill is located across the street from the State House at 140 Bowdoin St., Boston.  Senator Barbara L'Italien (sworn in the week before) is scheduled to be one of the speakers.  Refreshments will be provided in the morning as well as lunch for attendees.  

Tuesday, January 13-  Staff and volunteers at The Arc will meet you again between 9:30 am and 10 am, again at the Church on the Hill.  Refreshments will be provided while you prepare to cross the street and visit your state legislators (representative and senator).  As needed we will support attendees to approach their legislators (attendees will be asked to make appointments between 10 and 11 am with both their legislators in advance).  After your visit, we'll meet you at the 4th Floor lounge area by the State House coffee shop where we can talk with you about how your appointment went.

This is a great opportuntiy to get away and focus on advocacy for positive policies on behalf of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

A block of rooms has been reserved at Club Quarters.  The cost is $149 (with tax-$179.53) for Monday night and parking costs $25 per day (may require 2 days parking.)   Individuals must make their own reservations and will be responsible for room, tax and any incidental charges. To make a reservation, guests must call Club Quarters Member Services during business hours at 203-905-2100 with code Arc012 by Monday, December 22.

Club Quarters is located at 161 Devonshire Street, Boston (between Milk Street and Franklin Street), a short walk to the Church on the Hill (the conference location, on Beacon Hill).   Parking is available to Club Quarters guests at a discounted rate at the Icon Parking Garage, located at 1 Devonshire Street.   The self-park rate for any vehicle per 24-hour period or any part thereof Monday-Friday is $25.00; Saturday and Sunday is $16.00.

NOTE for Wheelchair Access

The Church on the Hill is wheelchair accessible, but here is the procedure.  The church is located at 140 Bowdoin Street and can be accessed from the apartment building next door (at 130 Bowdoin).  There is a concierge there who will take individuals up the elevator to the second floor, where there is a ramp leading to the church.