10 things I learned when visiting Washington D.C.
Dida Clifton
Bookkeeping is not Accounting. It's Operations. It's part of the day to day mundane yet very important systems and processes of every business. I help owners make their operations work so they don't have too.
I had the opportunity earlier this month to travel to our nation’s capital and do some lobbying. Me? Lobbying? I’m not even sure I know what the word means exactly. So…I looked it up.
Lobbying, any attempt by individuals or private interest groups to influence the decisions of government; in its original meaning it referred to efforts to influence the votes of legislators, generally in the lobby outside the legislative chamber. Lobbying in some form is inevitable in any political system.
Yep. That’s what we did. The Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals – Las Vegas Chapter, traveled to Washington to speak about military veterans housing benefits.
While we were doing this very serious stuff I also had the opportunity to explore a bit of the city, meet some new friends and truly learn how serious this group is about their mission. I’d like to share a few of those lessons with you.
- It’s humid in Washington and I’m a desert person.
- Wear comfortable shoes for lobbying because you will be walking. A lot.
- There are metal detectors everywhere. Dress appropriately because you’ll be taking off anything that causes beeps.
- I’m not too old to stay up late with my roommate discussing politics and small business; and still rock it early the next morning.
- There’s not enough time to see as many of the National Monuments as you’d like but it’s definitely worth the effort. Just wow.
6. You don’t have to be a veteran to participate and be passionate about it. We call those dedicated souls Patriots.
7. Our representatives really do listen and their team takes great notes but it’s up to us to follow up, be consistent in our message and hold them accountable for change.
8. You can fall asleep in the gallery waiting for the House of Representatives to convene.
9. Uber works great! Make sure you order an XXL if you’re traveling with a group and suitcases.
10. The history all around humbles you. Those that created this great country live in the walls and seem to be watching our progress.
So, if you get the opportunity to step outside of your comfy “stay at home and do what’s easy zone”. Do it. It’s a powerful thing.
Association Director at Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals
8 年That was really awesome and I had a blast traveling with you. Thanks for the memories.