Legislative Calendar Day(s)

Legislative Calendar Day is traditionally on the second day of session.  This year, we are expanding the tradition to four days of Advocacy training and meetings with legislators, January 12th to 15th.  The chapters of The Arc across Maryland unite to advocate that the rights and wellbeing of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are top priorities for session 2021. Find out ways to put your advocacy to work below. 

Prepare for Calendar Day(s) with one of our Adapting Your Advocacy  training events, where you will have the opportunity to brush up on your advocacy skills and learn about the new virtual operating procedures of the House and the Senate. Join us to get tips from State Legislators on “making your case,” learn about legislative priorities of The Arc, and step through the procedural changes that have been made to hearings, submissions of testimony, floor session protocols, communications, visits with legislators, and more.

There are two opportunities for you to participate: Tuesday, January 12^th from 8 to 8:45 AM, and Wednesday, January 13^th from 7 to 7:45 PM.  Register for one of the options through the buttons below!  

In a typical year, advocates from chapters of The Arc across Maryland spend the second day of session in Annapolis, meeting with legislators and giving them copies of The Arc Maryland’s Legislative Birthday Calendar.  For more than three decades, the incredible leaders that comprise our government in Maryland have received complimentary copies of The Arc Maryland Legislative Birthday Calendar. Despite our inability to deliver our 2021 calendars to legislators in person this year, we look forward to connecting with them nevertheless, as we continue our partnership to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families are prioritized and protected in our laws, budget, and policies.

Local chapter members of The Arc will be scheduling and holding meetings with their legislators online, on Calendar Day (the 14^th) or the days following.  We hope you will join in on this important effort to ensure our elected leaders are familiar with The Arc’s priorities and the needs of people with I/DD and their families we support as one of the largest networks of providers in Maryland.  Email Luc Chausse, Director of Advocacy and Outreach, at lchausse@thearcmd.org to find out how to join your local chapter of The Arc as they meet with legislators. Help us ensure that Marylanders with I/DD are kept in mind this session!

Communicating with your representatives in the Maryland State Senate and House of Delegates is a vital way to advocate for people with I/DD. Download our tips below to be more effective in your advocacy through emails and calls with legislators.

During Calendar Day events, we invite you to show your affiliation with The Arc by Rocking the Orange! Wearing a common color conveys the unity of a community of people! During events, meeting with legislators, and at home, consider wearing orange shirts, hats, scarves, socks, or whatever fits your style. The Arc’s branded orange color is bright and powerful, just like our advocacy! 

Share images and stories of our impact on Facebook and Twitter using #RockTheOrange, #TheArcCalendarDay, and #WeAreEssential throughout the week.  Tag your elected representatives in posts and encourage your membership to like, comment, and share!  We encourage each chapter to develop and share at least 3 stories to communicate your valuable impact on the lives of people with I/DD, their families, and Direct Support Professionals from January 12-15! We will be sure to share your communications our social media and in our newsletters as well.