Advocacy Days
The 404th Virginia General Assembly session will meet between January 11 and February 25, 2023. Advocates, community leaders, and passionate citizens are making their case virtually with legislators this year. You can help support a cause or policy by joining one of these organizations on their advocacy days. This below list includes all known advocacy opportunities during the upcoming Virginia General Assembly as of January 12 2023. If you know of other advocacy opportunities to add to our list, please contact Sasha Hollister at shollist@richmond.edu.
Virginia Interfiath Power & Light "Virginians for Environmental Justice Lobbying": January 5, 2023
"Join us for a workshop on what to expect during the 2023 VA General Assembly session and how to advocate for clean energy and environmental justice policies in the 2023 session." This is a Zoom and in-person (Richmond) training on January 5 at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Voices for Virginia's Children "Social Justice through Storytelling - Advocacy Workshop": Janiuary 12, 2023
"Join Voices as we discuss the value and necessity of storytelling in legislative advocacy. This workship will include time to learn and practice storytelling to advance social justice. There will also be a discussion on strategy for how to share your story for Virignia state-level legislative advocacy, however, these tactics may be used anywhere where advocacy is needed." The training is over Zoom, January 12 from 4-5:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Virginia Education Association "Strong Schools, Strong Communities" Rally & Lobby Day: Monday, January 16, 2023
"Dr. King believed that a great education lays the foundation for a strong community. We honor his memory by coming together on MLK Day to celebrate everything that is great in Virginia public schools and, more important, push for the changes we need to make them better. Join us 9am at the Bell Tower in downtown Richmond to be together, to be inspired, and make the change we need for our students." Learn more here.
Virginia Center for Public Safety "Virginia Vigil & Advocacy Day to Prevent Gun Violence": Monday, January 16, 2023
"Join the Virginia Center for Public Safety, its partners, and our Virginia community as we honor the memory and teachings of a great civil rights leader who was killed by gun fire. We will also honor the lives of all Virginians killed by gun violence and invite you to commit to reducing gun violence by raising your voice for responsible gun laws." Learn more here.
Virginia Citizens Defense League Lobby Day: January 16, 2023
"VCDL is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental human right of all Virginians to keep and bear arms...Our goal...will be to have as many gun owners as possible lobbying in the building all day long." VCDL Lobby Day will begin with a rally at 11am at the Bell Tower. Learn more here.
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy "Day for All People": January 18, 2023
“VICPP is the largest statewide advocacy voice for the faith community in Virginia. The organization focuses primarily on issues of economic, racial and social justice. With more than 23,000 activists connected with the organization, VICPP’s grassroots work is organized through local chapters and affiliates, partner congregations and individuals across the Commonwealth.” Learn more here.
Virginia NORML "Virginia Cannabis Conference & Lobby Day": January 20-23, 2023
“Whether you’re interested in the industry, curious about medical cannabis, looking to become a more effective advocate, or you've been fighting to end prohibition ever since Nixon launched the War on Drugs, this conference is for you. It’s convenient, casual, and crucial for those wanting to be a part of the cannabis conversation in the Commonwealth.“ Learn more here.
Equality Virginia's Lobby Days: January 23, January 30, February 6 & February 20. 2023
"Our Lobby Days will give participants a chance to get an in-depth look at the legislative process, learn about the anti-LGBTQ+ bills being proposed during this year's session, and get trained on key talking points to help guide your conversation with your legislator. Your story can tryly make an impact, and we want to show lawmakers that they have individuals living in their districts that are engaged in advocacy and supportive of LGBTQ+ rights." Learn more here.
New Virginia Majority "January Volunteer Meeting: Legislative Session": January 26, 2023
"Join us on Zoom for our first volunteer meeting of 2023! We will deliver a rough overview of how the legislative session works, including ways to contact your representatives and how to monitor important developments taking place in the General Assembly. We will conclude the meeting by touching on NVM's own legislative priorities and what we hope to accomplish. NVM organizes around and centers the needs of working class communities of color." Learn more here.
Virginia Conservation Network "Conservation Lobby Day": January 31, 2023
"We need advocates like you, now more than ever, to help maintain the environmental gains we made over the last two years - including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Clean Economy Act, and Clean Car Standards. Leading up to Lobby Day, VCN will teach you hot to lobby, share resources for environmental policy solutions, and schedule meetings with your legislators. Learn more here.
Virginia Housing Alliance "Virginia Housing Advocacy Day": February 1, 2023
"We'll meet at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 9:30 a.m. to learn about state policy-making and legislative work - and how you can talk to legislative representatives to share your views about housing in the Commonwealth. VHA will provide box lunches at noon, and then our group will proceed to the Capitol to meet with legislators." Learn more here.
Vigrinia Pro-Life Day: February 1, 2023
"Boldly stand for life in post-Roe America! Sign up for a full day of pro-life advocacy. Meet lawmakers in the morning. March for Life in the afternoon." Learn more here.
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Legislative Advocacy Day: Feburary 2, 2023
"Policy leaders want to hear from you about the need to fund the phones to sustain Virignia's Statewide Hotline, ensuring the sae and lawful transfer of firearms for those subject to protective orders and convicted of domestic violence, repealing Virginia's constitutional ban on LGBTQ marriage, expanding economic supports for women and families, defending Trans and LGBTQ youth in Virginia, protecting reproductive freedom and abortion access for all survivors, and many other issues important to advocates and survivors that help create a Virginia where all families and individuals are safe and cared for." There will be in-person and virtual advocacy options. Learn more here.
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy "Student Day of Action": February 3, 2023
"Care about solitary confinement, prison profiteering, maternal mortality, environmental justice, health disparities, higher education in prison, worker justice, wage theft, paid sick leave, affordable housing...? More...Join us!" Preparations will start on Thursday, February 2 with dinner and an Advocacy 101 training. On Friday we will meet with legislators. Learn more here.
Tools for Organizing
Legislative Advocacy Guide
Developed by: Voices for Virginia's Children
Justice Advocacy Training Recording
Developed by: Voices for Virginia's Children
Tools for Advocates
Developed by: Voices for Virginia's Children
Tools for Effective Grassroots Advocacy
Developed by: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Visiting Elected Officials
Developed by: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Hosting a Legislative "Meet & Greet"
Developed by: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Resources About Virginia Government
Virginia's Legislative Information System
Includes status of individual bills and resolutions, member sponsored legislation, legislation referred to committee, state budget, daily floor calendars and more.
Virginia General Assembly
Website for the Virginia General Assembly. Includes meeting schedules, list of newly elected House Members, House and Senate Member listing, House and Senate committees, Session Calendar, information on the Virginia Legislature, and more.
Virginia Public Access Project
VPAP connect Virginias to nonpartisan information about Virginia politics in easily understood ways.
Richmond Sunlight
Richmond Sunlight has been tracking Virginia's General Assembly since 2007.
Who's My Legislator
Tool to find your Virginia legislators.