Summer Sites For Civic Knowledge Power

The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC

by Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP, CITM

This article is written for an American audience; however, I know that many friends and colleagues around the world read my newsletter and visit my website. So feel free to adapt these tips to conform to your province, region, or country.

1.  Visit Washington DC.
Every American should visit our nation’s capital at least once in your life to see where our  President lives and where Congress makes our laws. All of the Smithsonian Museums are FREE of charge in Washington, so put them at the top of your list.  You have to make a reservation to go on the White House Tour, but you can go to the Senate and House of Representative buildings at any time free of charge. The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington remains a top choice for many. Make sure that you get your tickets in advance. https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/passes
For more information about the nation's capital, visit www.washington.org.

2. Visit Your Congressional Offices
All 435 US Congressional Representatives have an office in Washington DC AND offices in their local districts.   I have visited my congressman and senators and met with them in their Washington DC office and their offices in Massachusetts. Go to either www.senate.gov or www.house.gov to find out who your congressional representative is.  It is best to meet with your congressional representative or senator in your home district in your state.  

In Washington, the House of Representatives Buildings include:
--Cannon House Office Building
--Longworth House Office Building
--Rayburn House Office Building

The Senate Buildings include:
--Hart Senate Office Building
--Dirksen Senate Office Building
--Russell Senate Office Building

3.  Visit Your State Capital
Visiting your state capital should be an easy one for you. Especially if you live in your state capital, like Boston, Massachusetts. It’s FREE to visit your state capital and most offer tours at certain times of the day.  I am a member of a public service sorority, Delta Sigma Theta (www.deltasigmatheta.org). As part of our Social Action Agenda, we plan a State House event every year around the United States called “Delta Day at the State House” (DDSH), that is open to the general public. We usually select a state-related topic, like redistricting, tour the capital, and invite our legislators to address our audience at a two-hour program we hold in a reserved room at the State Capital Capital. (Our Annual Nation’s Capital Legislative Conference is only open to members.) 

Whether you are an individual, a family, or a group, visiting your state capital is a strongly encouraged for every informed, empowered citizen. Every state has their own website and pertinent information on state, city, and town issues.  Google your state’s website and explore its resources.  Most state capitals have a bookstore or some resources center where you can purchase items related to your state affairs.  I enjoy browsing the documents, photos, and historical guidebooks on Massachusetts when I visit my state capital bookstore.  I encourage you to visit your state capital in the coming year.

4.  Visit Your Governor, State Representatives, And Senators
When you visit your state capital, don’t forget to stop in the office of your governor and state legislators.  When we hold DDSH (see #3) we always plan visits to our respective legislators’ offices. You don’t have to make an appointment. You can stop in, speak to a staff member, leave your name and number, and schedule a future meeting with either a staff member, representative and/or senator.  You can also sit in on a legislative session, hearing or other meeting, depending on when your state’s legislators are in session. 

It may be a bit more challenging to have a one-to-one meeting with your governor. However, when he/she attends events around your state, plan to attend and ask a pertinent question (about bridges, roads, housing, education, budgets, etc.) during the session.  You can follow up with the designated staff member attending the event with the governor. They never travel alone to events.

Google your state house for more information on contacting your representative or senator.  Some state legislators meet at designated times of the year, per their Constitution. The Texas Legislature meets in regular session on the second Tuesday in January of each odd-numbered year. The Texas Constitution limits the regular session to 140 calendar days. 

Others meet at selected times of the year. (Massachusetts State Legislature is called the General Court.) The Massachusetts Legislature has a two-year cycle. The current cycle runs from January 3, 2018, to July 31. 2018. (The Massachusetts legislators are elected every two years. Currently, informal sessions are being held at the State House throughout the summer months. )  The times your state legislature meets depends on your state Constitution. 

Call your governor’s office to learn more.  You also have a better chance of connecting with your legislator at some event in your state (like a public hearing). Walk up to your legislator, introduce yourself, and ask when you can visit his/her office and talk more about your particular issue.

5.  Visit The United Nations in New York City
At least once in your life, visit the United Nations. It’s located in New York City, and much of the building is FREE and open to the public. There’s tight security, so plan your timing accordingly.  It might take you 15 minutes to go through security.
The WORLD visits the United Nations every day!  The entire world!  Forget all of the naysayers who trash the value of the UN, plan a visit at some point in your life.  There are world exhibits, sessions that you can observe, tours (with a small charge), conferences and events held in the building. I have spoken at the UN as part of conferences, attended luncheons, and find the environment fascinating.

Every world event from hunger, to civil wars, are discussed, evaluated and negotiated in the United Nations building.  Many many school groups visit the building, and it’s fun seeing young people exchange ideas and information at the UN.  There is a cafeteria in the building and an extensive bookstore and gift shop.  You can reach the building using public transportation.  Take your camera and video camera and snap those photos wherever you can.  Stop and meet a visitor dressed in their native outfit and learn more about their country. Plan to stay for a half day or a full day. It’s a big complex and will take some time to get through the public parts.

For more information visit www.un.org.

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