CLCE in Washington DC

CLCE IN WASHINGTON, DC

Six Students…

…majoring in Community Leadership and Civic Engagement (CLCE)

…interested in learning more about international nonprofits, the political process, and advocacy

…willing to LEARN over spring break!

Isabelle BourgeoisAND

Linda Feltes

Maria TorresAND

David Anians

Jacob BuckropAND

Amanda InsalacoEyes open,

Jacob!

Participants…

…were selected through a competitive process

…received financial support covering airfare, lodging, and meals

…agreed to write reflection papers and promote the CLCE major!

Our Itinerary

Time Day One Day Two Day Three8:00 Tour of Monuments on

National Mall8:309:00 Departure

O’Hare AirportInternational

Housing Coalition

9:3010:00 Air & Space

Smithsonian10:3011:00 Representative Peter

Roskam’s StaffAfriCare

11:3012:00 Arrival

Reagan Airport12:30 Lunch Tour of Capitol Lunch1:00 Hotel Check-in Pan American

Development Foundation

1:30 Lunch at Capitol2:00 Pan American

Development Foundation

Depart for Airport

3:30 InterAction Habitat for Humanity

4:004:30 Departure

Reagan Airport5:00 Debrief

With Team MentorDebrief

With Team Mentor5:30 Arrival

O’Hare Airport6:00 NIU Alumni Association

Advocacy/Networking 6:307:00

After a busy morning of

travel…

…We met with the Pan American Development Foundation

PADF is a strategic partner of the Organization of American States that was established in 1962 to implement socio-economic development programs and disaster assistance in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dr. Judith Hermanson, PADF Chief Operating Officer (and, inaugural Director of NGOLD at NIU), gave an introduction to the organizations we were scheduled to meet.

She also talked about how PADF:• Plays a role in international development• Advances civil society• Creates economic opportunities• Promotes social progress• Collaborates with the private sector

…Then we were off to InterAction

InterAction is an association of US-based international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs). They have over 190 members working in every developing country.

InterAction attempts to shape public policy related to relief and international development issues such as:

• Foreign assistance• Environment• Health• Education

Their members are at the forefront in responding to disasters and crises worldwide and InterAction plays an integral part in these efforts.

Day two started on the National Mall

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Isabelle showing her excitement!

Representing Illinois at the World War II

Memorial

Maria REALLY represented!

Washington Monument

Time for our first meeting of the day…

Congressman Peter Roskam represents Illinois’ sixth district in the US House of Representatives. He is the Chief Deputy Majority Whip, the fourth-ranking Republican leader in the House.

We met with Representative Roskam’s staff who shared insight about the:

• Political process• Role of congressional staff • Inner-workings of the office• Importance of constituent services They also talked about how nonprofits can effectively advocate to elected officials.

Next, was a tour of the US Capital, led by one of

Representative Roskam’s interns…

Inside the capital building we saw:

• Original house chamber floor• Many statues from every state• Original Supreme Court• House of Representatives Gallery• Rotunda (which is amazing, by the way)

After lunch in the Longworth House Office Building, we

headed to our next meeting…

…With Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity was started in 1976 and has grown to become an international organization viewed as the global leader in poverty housing.

We met with a panel of Habitat employees and they talked about the advocacy they perform at local, state, national, and international levels. Their advocacy efforts have greatly expanded in the last five years.

We learned they have presence in 80 countries, perform development work globally, and hold an annual legislative conference to increase awareness about housing issues domestically and abroad.

The final event of the day was…

Advocacy AND Networking Night

…organized by the NIU Alumni Association

This was a great opportunity to connect with NIU alumni, see firsthand the important role alumni play, and mingle with other NIU students visiting DC.

The final day included three meetings prior to flying home

…The first was with the International Housing Coalition

IHC was started in 2005 and they work to effect policy in foreign assistance through advocacy based on a broad coalition of varied organizations. The advocacy efforts are integrated with their engagement in housing and urban development applied research, information sharing, and policy advice in various countries.

This meeting was really focused on advocacy and lobbying, so we learned a lot more about the activities that go into each…as well as the distinction between both.

We also talked about challenges facing nonprofits such as:

• Tight budgets• Increasing competition• The complexity of issues• Communicating a compelling message

…Next, we met with AfriCare

AfriCare was founded in 1970 by Peace Corps members. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. To accomplish this mission, AfriCare focuses on four important areas: Food Security, Water, Health, and Emergency Response.

They talked about how gender empowerment and environmental issues factor into all of their programs.

We talked about the importance of monitoring and evaluating programs…and doing needs assessment prior to implementing projects to ensure it is actually needed.

The employees we met with also gave us excellent career advice by talking about each of their respective career paths.

PLUS THEY GAVE US T-SHIRTS, KEYCHAINS, AND OTHER COOL

STUFF…WHAT A GREAT MEETING!

…Our final meeting was back where it all began…Pan American Development Foundation

John Sanbrailo, PADF Executive Director, talked to us about global civil society and how the organizations we met with contribute to that “big picture.”

This was a great way to tie together many of the themes we talked about in our meetings.

Then, Dr. Judith Hermanson concluded the meeting by asking us what we gained from the experience…

…And we said…

Not only was this a learning and networking experience but an opportunity to empower myself and define my career path. Now, I know that the nonprofit sector offers countless opportunities to grow as a professional while I help my community.

- Maria Torres

…And we said…

This trip put advocacy in a perspective that I could both understand and be excited about. Seeing it firsthand has helped me learn how NGOs actually work.

- David Anians

The trip was incredibly insightful. Seeing recent graduates involved in very influential positions in both national politics and international non-governmental work was eye-opening.

- Jacob Buckrop

…And we said…

I think the most beneficial aspect of the trip was actually meeting the professionals who work behind the scenes for these great NGOs... I was surprised to learn that their past experiences were actually really varied. They all bring a unique skill set to the organization, but I did notice that few, if any, had a degree specifically in nonprofit studies. It makes me realize how fortunate we are to have this innovative major here at NIU.

- Amanda Insalaco

…And we said…Meeting with the nonprofits enlightened me on the importance of advocacy for these organizations. It's one thing to hear about it in class, but when you actually go out and talk to people who work for these international organizations and who do the hands-on work, it puts advocacy in a new light.

- Isabelle Bourgeois

After visiting these NGOs and seeing firsthand what they do, I have a better understanding and a bigger interest in possibly pursuing a career in advocacy.

- Linda Feltes

CLCE Majors Do Great Things!

The end…

…for now!