We came, we saw, we conversed!

It took me a couple of weeks to come down from the excitement and enthusiasm we felt after our Congressional Conversations experience in DC during the International Conference. We had a plan, we had a great group of volunteers to help put the plan together, and we successfully executed the plan. We had our members going to the Hill educated on the issues and on how to engage members of Congress and their staffs the key issues we see regarding training in this Congressional session. They were all motivated and excited to have their "Congressional Conversations"!

Our members had their meetings, and some even got to meet and take pictures with their members of Congress. Some had time to visit parts of Capitol Hill, many of whom had not been to before. Some went up to the steps of the Supreme Court (took pictures); others took pictures in front of the Capital building. Others took their gallery passes they received from their members' offices and went to see either the House or Senate in session (some saw both).

After the visits, we went back to the convention center to debrief the event and talk about next steps in keeping engaged in public policy issues, both at the national and at the local chapter level. We had a very good discussion, and action plans were made to keep connected and keep informed.

One item that we discussed which is probably coming up real soon is the $750 million in competitive grants available thought the Recovery Act (ARRA). Most of these resources will be used for creation and expansion of Green Jobs, but $250 million of these funds will be used to enhance and expand regional economies. Stay tuned to both the Department of Labor (DOL) site and the ASTD site for more information and possible webinars about these grants. ASTD will also be working the next few weeks on talking to the committees working on the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization. Our hope is to talk to both members of both houses of Congress and staff involved with the bill. Again, stay tuned for more details when we get particulars about the new bill.

Thanks again to all of those who help and participated in the Congressional Conversation event!