Hi everyone - Don't miss this!

~Brad

Brad Perry, MA
Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator
Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence
Action Alliance (VSDVAA)
Phone: (434) 979-9002
Fax: (434) 979-9003
Web: www.vsdvalliance.org


REGISTER NOW for 2009 LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DAY!!!

Please go to our home page at www.vsdvalliance.org and click on the "January 28,
2009 Legislative Advocacy Day" link near the top of the page.

If you are bringing others with you, please remember to also register each of
your guests.

Legislative Advocacy Day

We are hosting a Legislative Reception the evening of January 27th from 6-8pm
(following the Alliance membership meeting).

This is a more social “meet-and-greet” opportunity for us advocates and allies
to have with members of the General Assembly and other elected officials. Join
us for our membership meeting (separate registration) and the reception on
January 27th, then spend the night and come refreshed to meet with your
legislators on January 28th!

On the 28th, we will start the day with a briefing at the YWCA (who have
graciously agreed to host Lobby Day again this year) where we provide you with
talking points on bills of interest and packets of information (if you have not
already received your packet at the membership meeting) to leave with your
legislators. Then you go visit your legislators at the General Assembly. After
lunch (on your own), we will head back to the General Assembly to watch one of
our bills (either that we strongly support or strongly oppose) be heard in
committee.

TENTATIVE AGENDA
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Registration
8:30 – 9:15 a.m. Briefing on 2009 Legislative Issues
o Increase the marriage license fee to support an additional $600,000 in
funding for children and youth services.
o Support legislation that requires local Commonwealth Attorneys to
establish Sexual Assault Response Teams.
o Support legislation to expand the membership of the Criminal Justice
Services Board to include a representative from the State Sexual and Domestic
Violence coalition.
o Support legislation that allows undocumented immigrants to report crimes
as victims or witnesses without fear of being asked about their immigration
status.
o Support legislation to ensure accurate information is in the Virginia
Criminal Information Network to ensure enforcement of Protective Orders.
o Monitor legislation related to the Physical Evidence Recovery Kit
examinations and the release, transport, and preservation of evidence collected
from these examination.
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Visits with your Legislators Schedule your visits now!
11:45 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch on your own.
1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Committee Hearing/s

Please plan to join us! Before January 21st, please do the following:
q Recruit other supporters of sexual and domestic violence services from
your community to come
q Encourage survivors to attend
q Call your legislators and schedule appointments (preferably between 9:00
am and 11:30) If you don’t know who your legislator is, go to:
conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform.
q Call your legislator and invite him/her to join us at the Legislative
Reception January 27th between 6pm and 8pm at the YWCA of Richmond.
q Pull together agency materials to leave with your agency’s legislators

**If you have to schedule your visits prior to 9:00am, you can stop by the
membership meeting on the 27th (Tuesday) at the Richmond Office or get your
packets during registration at the YWCA on Wednesday morning between 8 and
8:30am.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at
434.979.9002.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at 2009 LOBBY DAY!!!!!

Kristine Hall
Sexual Violence Advocacy Manager
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
(w) 434-979-9002
(f) 434-979-9003
www.vsdvalliance.org