On June 7, numerous RHIG members traveled to Sacramento to participate in the Advocacy Day organized by the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (CCRF).  Participants attended a training session held at the Sacramento Convention Center  in the morning, where they discussed the three major issues that they would later discuss with state legislators: parental notification for minors seeking abortion, pharmacist referral policies, and protection of pregnant prisoners' rights to safe and appropriate medical care during labor and delivery.  Participants received a packet of information on the issues, which they were asked to review prior to their meetings. In addition, during the morning training sessions a panel of experts explained in detail each of the three issues, and participants were invited to ask questions. Following the policy review, two members of the expert panel conducted a role-play of a legislator meeting, addressing some of the basic challenges of meeting with a non-supportive legislator.

To gear up for their meetings, Lobby Day participants convened on the steps of the State Capitol Building and listened to speeches from a number of different California state representatives, including Jackie Spear and Deborah Ortiz. After the rally, participants went to scheduled meetings with either their own district legislators or legislators of a nearby district (assignments were pre-determined and organized by CCRF). Each meeting consisted of members of various organizations. Several RHIG members joined Planned Parenthood Los Angeles staff in a meeting with a staffer for Senator Sheila Kuehl, while other RHIG members met with a different legislator. After the legislative meetings, Lobby Day participants returned to the Conference Center for lunch and an afternoon of break-out training sessions covering parent-child communication tactics and the use of media in health advocacy, among other issues.

Overall, Lobby Day was a valuable experience for both seasoned and novice policy advocates. RHIG members with advocacy experience made valuable contacts during the training and breakout sessions, and newcomers to the policy arena gained hands-on experience in the political process. Local, state and national advocacy events should continue to be a part of RHIG’s activities.