LEAD Agenda

This year, we will be rallying for Racial Equity Assessment in Legislation (REAL). We will have speakers from various social work organizations and members of the community. Our rally will begin 9:30AM at West Capitol Park.

Signs are encouraged, but please remember that we cannot have sticks or dowels at the rally (poster board is permitted!).

Resource: Download the Racial Equity Assessment in Legislation talking points

Check-in and registration will be outside at the West Capitol Park, which is also the location of our rally for REALNYS. After the rally, individuals with early legislative appointments should proceed through security at the Capitol and/or Legislative Office Building (LOB). Folks with later appointments can rest in The Empire State Plaza Concourse Meeting Rooms 3 & 4 (located below The Egg Performing Arts Center).

Maps and additional resources for LEAD can be found at http://bit.ly/2019NYLEAD

See the following links for information regarding parking and getting to the Empire State Plaza. https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/

• Visitor Parking Information
• Getting to the Empire State Plaza

Event/Rally Information | Legislative Appointments/Blanket Canvassing

Event/Rally Information

• Where is check-in?

Check-in will be outside at the West Capitol Park, where you will receive your individual legislative packet, which will contain important day-of information, and your LEAD swag! From there, you will be steps away from where the rally will take place. After the rally, anyone with early legislative appointments should proceed through security at the Capitol and/or Legislative Office Building (LOB). Anyone with later appointments can rest in The Empire State Plaza Concourse Meeting Rooms 3 & 4 (located below The Egg Performing Arts Center).

• Where can I park?

We recommend parking in the V-lot, located beneath the Empire State Plaza and accessed through I-787 Empire State Plaza exit. Visitors are required to show photo identification upon entry and all vehicles are subject to search by the State Police. This lot has designated accessible parking spaces.

Hours & Fees Monday - Friday

6:00 a.m. - 10:59 a.m. - $10.00

11:00 a.m. - Until Close - $5.00
60 minutes or less, full refund

Hours & Fees Weekends and State Holidays

$5.00 flat charge, pay on entry

Additional lots are also available in the area. Please see the following links below for information on additional parking and directions on how to get to the Empire State Plaza.

Visitor Parking Information (https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/parking/)

Getting to the Empire State Plaza (https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/directions/)

• Will there be food provided at LEAD?

We will have coffee, orange juice and water, along with snacks available to LEAD participants. There are a variety of restaurants in the Empire State Plaza/Concourse and nearby that you can visit for more substantive fare.

To view a list of dining options at The Empire State Plaza, please click here or visit https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/dining-plaza

• How will I be able to identify staff members/volunteers at the event?

NASW-NYS staff members and 2019 LEAD volunteers will be available to assist you with directions and answer your questions. Staff and volunteers can be identified by a red beanie adorned with a red pom pom – for we are a stylish bunch!

• Where is the rally located? Can I bring signs?

This year, we will be rallying for Racial Equity Assessment in Legislation (REAL). We will have speakers from various social work organizations and members of the community. Our rally will begin 9:30AM at West Capitol Park.

Signs are encouraged, but please remember that we cannot have sticks or dowels at the rally (poster board is permitted!).

Resource: Download the Racial Equity Assessment in Legislation talking points

Legislative Appointments/Blanket Canvassing

• How will I know the times and locations of my legislative visits?

If you selected legislative appointments as your LEAD activity, information about your appointments will be in the legislative packet that you receive at check-in. Time and location of your appointment(s) will be included.

If you selected blanket canvassing as your LEAD activity, please proceed to the Empire State Plaza Concourse Meeting Rooms 3 & 4. Your packet will contain information on what group you have been assigned to (group number will be listed under your name).

It is imperative that you attend each of your legislative appointments. While the Capitol can be a bustling and confusing place, it is your responsibility to ensure that you get to the legislator's office, preferably a few minutes ahead of schedule. If you get turned around or cannot find the office you are looking for, pop into another office and ask someone for assistance.

• What is the difference between legislative appointments and blanket canvassing?

Legislative appointments are scheduled meetings between you and your legislator. Your legislator’s office will be expecting you, and appointments typically run for 15-20 minutes.

Blanket canvassing is an activity that involves working together in teams assigned to specific areas of the Legislative Office Building and the Capitol, leaving behind materials at every legislative office to inform them of our advocacy issues. This is not a scheduled meeting and visits are typically very brief. However, depending on your legislator and/or their staff’s availability, you may end up speaking to them for an extended period of time.

Resource: Please read Advocacy and Meeting Tips document tips to help you prepare for legislative visit

• How will I know if I was selected as Group Leader? What are my responsibilities during the event?

Group leaders will be selected based on preference (you identified your willingness to be a group leader when you registered) and need (we will typically only assign one group leader per meeting). Group leaders for both legislative appointments and blanket canvassing will be notified prior to the event.

Group leaders are responsible for taking the lead on assigned meetings with legislators (no more than two meetings will be scheduled per person). Knowledge of the issues, comfort in speaking with staff and elected officials, and leading the group in conversation are required. Group leaders will also be responsible for the leave behind materials for each meeting they are assigned.

• Should I continue with my meeting if my legislator is not present?

Oftentimes, the legislator may not be able to meet with you, but a staff member is almost always available. Meet with the staff member; they will bring your concerns back to the legislator. Do not cancel the meeting under any circumstances. Make sure a packet is left behind for the legislator and/or staff member.

• My appointment time was changed and now I have two conflicting appointment times. Which one should I go to?

The key to a successful LEAD is preparing for the unexpected. Oftentimes, meetings will unexpectedly change. If you have two appointments scheduled at the same time, visit the legislator you think would most benefit from the meeting. It is helpful to do prior research to know your legislators and their position on the issue/similar issues to best inform your decision. If you are not sure, find your faculty liaison or a volunteer (red beanie with red pom pom); we will help you prioritize the visits.

Resource: Please watch 2019 NASW-NYS LEAD Registrant Information video for information on how to find your legislators.

• I have downtime between appointments/I completed my legislative visits early. Where can I wait?

You may wait between appointments or regroup for departure at the Empire State Plaza Concourse Meeting Rooms 3 & 4. (Note: We recommend you stay close to your next location when in-between appointments)

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