CLCE in Washington, DC

Six Students…

…majoring in Community Leadership
and Civic Engagement (CLCE)

…interested in learning more about
international nonprofits, the
political process, and advocacy

…willing to LEARN over spring break!

Isabelle Bourgeois
AND
Linda Feltes

Maria Torres
AND
David Anians

Jacob Buckrop
AND Eyes open,
Amanda Insalaco Jacob!

Participants…

…were selected through a
competitive process

…received financial support covering
airfare, lodging, and meals

…agreed to write reflection papers
and promote the CLCE major!

Time Day One Day Two Day Three
8:00 Tour of Monuments on
National Mall
8:30
9:00 Departure International
O’Hare Airport Housing Coalition
9:30
10:00 Air & Space
Smithsonian
10:30
11:00 Representative Peter AfriCare
Roskam’s Staff
11:30
12:00 Arrival
Reagan Airport
12:30 Lunch Tour of Capitol Lunch

Our Itinerary
1:00 Hotel Check-in Pan American
Development
Foundation
1:30 Lunch at Capitol
2:00 Pan American Depart for Airport
Development
Foundation
3:30 InterAction Habitat for Humanity

4:00
4:30 Departure
Reagan Airport
5:00 Debrief Debrief
With Team Mentor With Team Mentor
5:30 Arrival
O’Hare Airport
6:00 NIU Alumni Association
Advocacy/Networking
6:30
7:00

After a busy
morning of
travel…

…We met with the Pan American
Development Foundation

PADF is a strategic partner of the Organization of American States that was established in
1962 to implement socio-economic development programs and disaster assistance in Latin
America and the Caribbean.

Dr. Judith Hermanson, PADF Chief Operating
Officer (and, inaugural Director of NGOLD at
NIU), gave an introduction to the organizations
we were scheduled to meet.

She also talked about how PADF:
• Plays a role in international development
• Advances civil society
• Creates economic opportunities
• Promotes social progress
• Collaborates with the private sector

…Then we were off to InterAction

InterAction is an association of US-based international
nongovernmental organizations (INGOs). They have
over 190 members working in every developing
country.

InterAction attempts to shape public policy
related to relief and international
development issues such as:

• Foreign assistance
• Environment
• Health
• Education

Their members are at the forefront in
responding to disasters and crises worldwide
and InterAction plays an integral part in these
efforts.

Day two started on the National Mall

Vietnam
Veterans
Memorial

Korean War
Veterans Memorial

Isabelle showing her excitement!

Representing
Illinois at the
World War II
Memorial

Time for our first meeting of the day…

Congressman Peter Roskam represents Illinois’ sixth
district in the US House of Representatives. He is the
Chief Deputy Majority Whip, the fourth-ranking
Republican leader in the House.

We met with Representative Roskam’s
staff who shared insight about the:

• Political process
• Role of congressional staff
• Inner-workings of the office
• Importance of constituent services

They also talked about how nonprofits
can effectively advocate to elected
officials.

Next, was a tour of the
US Capital, led by one of
Representative Roskam’s interns…

Inside the capital building we saw:

• Original house chamber floor
• Many statues from every state
• Original Supreme Court
• House of Representatives Gallery
• Rotunda (which is amazing, by the way)

After lunch in the Longworth
House Office Building, we
headed to our next meeting…

…With Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity was started in 1976 and has
grown to become an international organization viewed
as the global leader in poverty housing.

We met with a panel of Habitat employees
and they talked about the advocacy they
perform at local, state, national, and
international levels. Their advocacy efforts
have greatly expanded in the last five years.

We learned they have presence in 80
countries, perform development work
globally, and hold an annual legislative
conference to increase awareness about
housing issues domestically and abroad.

The final event of the day was…

Advocacy AND Networking Night
…organized by the NIU Alumni Association

This was a great opportunity to connect with NIU
alumni, see firsthand the important role alumni play,
and mingle with other NIU students visiting DC.

The final day included three
meetings prior to flying home

…The first was with the
International Housing Coalition

IHC was started in 2005 and they work to effect policy in foreign
assistance through advocacy based on a broad coalition of varied
organizations. The advocacy efforts are integrated with their
engagement in housing and urban development applied research,
information sharing, and policy advice in various countries.

This meeting was really focused on advocacy and lobbying,
so we learned a lot more about the activities that go into
each…as well as the distinction between both.

We also talked about challenges facing nonprofits such as:

• Tight budgets
• Increasing competition
• The complexity of issues
• Communicating a compelling message

…Next, we met with AfriCare

AfriCare was founded in 1970 by Peace Corps members. Its mission is to improve the
quality of life for the people of Africa. To accomplish this mission, AfriCare focuses on
four important areas: Food Security, Water, Health, and Emergency Response.

They talked about how gender empowerment and
environmental issues factor into all of their programs.

We talked about the importance of monitoring and
evaluating programs…and doing needs assessment prior PLUS THEY GAVE US T-
to implementing projects to ensure it is actually needed. SHIRTS, KEYCHAINS,
AND OTHER COOL
The employees we met with also gave us excellent career
advice by talking about each of their respective career
STUFF…WHAT A
paths. GREAT MEETING!

…Our final meeting was back where it all
began…Pan American Development
Foundation

John Sanbrailo, PADF Executive Director,
talked to us about global civil society and
how the organizations we met with
contribute to that “big picture.”

This was a great way to tie together many
of the themes we talked about in our
meetings.

Then, Dr. Judith Hermanson concluded
the meeting by asking us what we gained
from the experience…

…And we said…

Not only was this a learning and
networking experience but an
opportunity to empower myself
and define my career path. Now,
I know that the nonprofit sector
offers countless opportunities to
grow as a professional while I
help my community.

- Maria Torres

…And we said…
This trip put advocacy in a
perspective that I could both
understand and be excited
about. Seeing it firsthand has
helped me learn how NGOs
actually work.

- David Anians

The trip was incredibly
insightful. Seeing recent
graduates involved in
very influential positions
in both national politics
and international non-
governmental work was
eye-opening.

- Jacob Buckrop

…And we said…
I think the most beneficial aspect of
the trip was actually meeting the
professionals who work behind the
scenes for these great NGOs... I was
surprised to learn that their past
experiences were actually really
varied. They all bring a unique skill
set to the organization, but I did
notice that few, if any, had a degree
specifically in nonprofit studies. It
makes me realize how fortunate we
are to have this innovative major
here at NIU.

- Amanda Insalaco

…And we said…
Meeting with the nonprofits enlightened me on
the importance of advocacy for these
organizations. It's one thing to hear about it in
class, but when you actually go out and talk to
people who work for these international
organizations and who do the hands-on work,
it puts advocacy in a new light.

- Isabelle Bourgeois

After visiting these NGOs and seeing firsthand
what they do, I have a better understanding
and a bigger interest in possibly pursuing a
career in advocacy.

- Linda Feltes

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