LS&LD Information
Take some time to familiarize yourself with our resources and activities
Leadership Summit and Lobby Day > Event Materials
We have tried to anticipate those questions you may have that are not answered on our other pages; don’t see the answer you seek? Please use our contact form to pose your specific question – we will reply within 48 business hours.
Q: What is the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)?
A: ACS CAN (pronounced “A-C-S Can”) is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. We support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority by giving ordinary people extraordinary power with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
Q: What is Leadership Summit & Lobby Day (LS&LD)?
A: Leadership Summit refers to the discussions & trainings ACS CAN (pronounced “A-C-S Can”) hosts annually to prepare our volunteers and staff to advocate for cancer patients and their families on Capitol Hill. During Leadership Summit, we connect as a community, dig into the finer points of our asks of Congress and plan for the year ahead.
Lobby Day refers to the day our volunteers meet with their congressional delegation to make specific asks to address the needs of cancer patients, their caregivers and families. In 2020, we’re meeting virtually and will advocate by phone! We shorthand Leadership Summit & Lobby Day as LS&LD.
Q: What are the dates of the 2020 LS&LD?
A: Usually we gather in Washington, DC for a 3.5 day in-person Leadership Summit & Lobby Day. In 2020, we are asking participants to review our posted schedule of pre-event trainings and attend those sessions according to their availability. We’ll all gather online for the Leadership Summit on Sunday, September 13 from 2pm-5pm ET. On Monday, September 14, participants should expect to attend a 60-90 minute session tailored to their state. And we’re asking all participants to keep Tuesday, September 15 unscheduled from 10am-6pm ET for Hill meetings.
Q: Why do you need such a large window of time on Tuesday?
A: All participants are expected to dial-in to meetings with their congressional representatives on Tuesday, September 15 between 10am-6pm ET. All attempts will be made to schedule meetings within acceptable ranges for the time zone in which you live. Volunteers will be grouped by state and attend several meetings over the course of the day. Because of the nature of scheduling meetings with Hill representatives, schedules can change even at the last minute and we’re asking volunteers to have as much flexibility in the day as they can. If your availability changes, please update your staff partner.
Q: How do I know if I should attend LS&LD?
A: Typically, Leadership Summit & Lobby Day includes ACS CAN’s leadership volunteers: State Lead Ambassadors (SLAs), ACT! Lead Ambassadors (ACT Leads), members of ACS CAN’s Board and special guests like our Gen2End, Colleges Against Cancer & Gates Millennium Scholars. Your state staff partner can answer more questions about your attendance. Regardless of whether you attend LS&LD, please help us amplify our asks on social media!
Q: What do I do to attend?
A: Your staff partner manages LS&LD invites for your state and ensures all qualified participants receive a personalized registration invitation.
Q: Why are we doing this event virtually and during such a challenging time?
A: We often say “cancer hasn’t stopped so neither can we.” This year has presented unique challenges to cancer patients and their families, delaying treatment and research, impacting patients’ ability to pay for care, and straining public health and health care systems. Now more than ever, we want to find ways to advance our mission.
Q: How do I know which LS&LD events to join?
A: Our website includes information about the intended audience of our sessions to prepare for Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. If it’s helpful, we’ve included options to download calendar invites for these activities so you can track them. We ask that all participants attend our “Intro to LS&LD” session, “Hook, Sinker, Line, Sinker”, “Hill Meeting Prep Workshop”, “Leadership Summit”, your state specific “Hill Meeting Prep by State”, and reserve all of Tuesday, September 15 to attend Lobby Day. All new volunteer advocates should also attend “New Volunteer Orientation”. Optional events include our “Silent Auction” and “CAN Opener” celebrations.
Q: How will I know when my congressional meeting is scheduled?
A: Registered participants will receive the schedule of your congressional meetings on Friday, September 11. Meetings will be scheduled in Eastern Time, and there’s a chance that your meeting time may change. Changes to your meeting time will be communicated quickly through online resources.
Q: What technology set-up do I need to join these events?
A: Participants are able to participate in all events exclusively by phone but we recommend joining by computer so you have access to all of our session visuals. We’ll host our webinars using the Adobe Connect system. Adobe Connect requires that you have Flash Player enabled in your browser. And while you don’t need to download the App, doing so can help you overcome issues with Flash (see here for details). Other systems we may use are Microsoft Teams and Go To Meetings. We’ll host practice sessions to help participants connect.
A: In the past, ACS CAN has asked us all to wear blue shirts to Capitol Hill. Are they required?
A: Blue shirts are not required this year, although if you have one, we encourage you to wear yours on Tuesday, September 15 during your Lobby Day calls. In a limited number of cases, your congressional meetings may be by video and the blue shirts will add to your visual impact! You might also choose to tweet or post a picture of yourself on Lobby Day using #cancerlobbyday and you’ll be in good company in our traditional blue polo. If you don’t have a ACS CAN blue shirt but would like one, you may order one here: https://business.landsend.com/store/acscan Again, our logo shirt is completely optional in 2020.
Q: What is Lights of Hope?
A: Lights of Hope (often referred to as “LOH”) is a deeply moving event to remember those we have lost to cancer and honor survivors, patients and caregivers. This year, events will happen in towns & cities across America and activities will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Lights of Hope is an important fundraising event for ACS CAN and funds much of our advocacy. We encourage you to visit the Lights of Hope website at fightcancer.org/lightsofhope and participate to the extent you’re able.
Q: Is there a dress code for a this virtual meeting?
A: Since LS&LD is virtual this year, we’re looking forward to seeing many photos and selfies of ACS CAN volunteers advocating right from their own homes across the country! (Remember to use #CancerLobbyDay for your posts.) For participants who will be engaging in social media during the Leadership Summit and especially on Lobby Day, we encourage wearing the ACS CAN logo and/or wearing the colors red & blue. But we ask you to please avoid wearing logos tied to programs like Cancer Votes, Relay For Life, Making Strides, etc. to avoid conflicts with our status as a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization. If you’re unsure if what you plan to wear follows these suggestions, your staff partner will be able to confirm.
Q: Who will do the “drop off meetings” for congressional districts where we don’t have an ACT Lead attending?
A: After Lobby Day, ACS CAN staff from the National office will follow up with those offices who didn’t have a meeting to discuss our asks & materials.
Q: My question was not answered: how do I get help?
A: Your best resource is your staff partner. Additionally, our website includes a contact form to get reach the event team.