By Terah Klein
MSNHA Director
Reflecting on my recent advocacy trip to DC
I was asked if I would write a blog about my first experience going to Washington, D.C., for an advocacy trip to meet with legislators. Of
course, I said “yes,” but let me preface this all by saying that I am not a writer! I am an accountant who loves numbers and not so much words. However, I am always willing to step outside of my comfort zone, which ironically is exactly what I did on this trip!
I’ve been to Washington many times in my life. I went as a high school senior on a class trip. I’ve been as a tourist several times. I’ve even been to attend trainings or events there. However, this time was different. Yes, I had meetings and events to attend. But I was also meeting with our legislators to advocate for the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and the national funding of the National Heritage Area 
program. Walking through the halls of the Senate and House buildings, I was very aware on this trip that all of these folks were there to do a job. They are helping our country run. They are standing up for their constituents. They are making a difference! No matter your particular political leaning, this is just an amazing thing to watch. And awesome to be even just a small part of.
But on to the more fun parts of the trip! I had a great time meeting with the Alliance of National Heritage Areas, for a rare in-person monthly meeting. Since these are usually virtual, it was so great to sit in the same room and have actual conversations with people that I normally only see through a box on a monitor. I was already thinking of the next day, when I would meet one-on-one with our House and Senate officials from Alabama. So, of course, I was happy to get some pointers from colleagues who had already done this many times.
On to the big day (or at least in my book it was a big day)! As I’m heading into the Senate building for my first meeting, I’m feeling nervous and just hoping that I don’t say something stupid. I’m standing in line to go through the security check, and a lady several places in line ahead of me is asked to take her shoes off. Now, I can try to paint a picture of this moment – everyone is putting their bags on the conveyer, taking off their coats, being very respectful of the process. Here is someone with a full-length fur coat on who doesn’t take it off before walking through the metal detector and when she sets off the alarm seems appalled at the inconvenience. The funniest part was that when asked to take her shoes off (because they have metal in them), her response was that she doesn’t have to do that when entering the White House. The officer’s response was priceless – “Ma’am, this isn’t the White House.” He says this in the most stone cold of ways, and I suddenly felt all of my anxiety disappearing! I politely took my shoes off and placed them on the conveyer and was thankful that I wore cute socks that day.
For my meetings, I was as prepared as I could be. I had my one-sheeter with the important information and our “ask” included at the
bottom. I had a brochure and business card for follow-up information. I had my list of talking points and tips for what to say (and what not to say). I put my name tag on, and I was ready to go. After my first meeting, I was so excited. I didn’t mess up!! And I realized that everyone I’m meeting with also has a job to do. This is what they do every day! They listen to people who want to talk to them about receiving funding for whatever is important in their life. Not to belittle the meetings at all – they are important – but they are also not the life-altering event that I had built up in my mind.
Possibly my favorite part of the trip was an impromptu reading in the lobby of the hotel by various staff from NHAs across the country. We heard stories from books, blogs and various storytelling outlets that were a powerful testament to each of the NHA programs represented. Stories from Colorado, Baltimore, Washington and beyond made me realize that every region has a story to tell, and I’m so grateful that we get to share stories from northwest Alabama that are meaningful and impactful to our region and our country.
Rounding out the trip, I attended a Congressional reception to honor some of the champions across the
country who have supported the NHA program in various ways. It was a fun morning, particularly to peek behind the curtain of the ever-changing schedule for the event. Working with schedules of various legislators means shuffling the schedule around up to the final second. Though I was not a planning-team member, I saw the flurry of activity from those who were — impressing me with the work that made this event happen. I believe that I received at least five schedule change emails within 24 hours leading up to it!
In short (not really, but I tried), this trip was an amazing experience. One that I hope I get to do again for years to come. Representing the MSNHA is something that I am proud of, but maybe next year I can do it with less snow on the ground.
