ECNV office will be closed Tuesday November 4, 2025

Re-open Wednesday November 5, 2025

The Power of Advocacy is a multi-part webinar series designed to help you build confidence and practical skills to create positive change in your community. Through interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to share your story, connect with decision-makers, and use a range of advocacy tools—from individual action to shaping public policy. The series will conclude with an opportunity to put these skills into action during our advocacy trip to Richmond in January.

Register today! One brief registration signs you up for the entire advocacy series. 

Next Webinar: Webinar 2

Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Title: The Power of Advocacy 102: Tools and Tactics for Amplifying Your Voice

Description:
You’ve learned the basics—now it’s time to turn advocacy into action. This interactive session will dive into practical tools and tactics to help you make real impact: from meeting with legislators and writing compelling messages to leveraging social media and mobilizing your community. You’ll also discover how collaboration and storytelling can multiply your influence, and learn about the Pitchfork Approach— a powerful framework for using multiple strategies together to amplify your advocacy and drive change.

ECNV office will be closed Tuesday November 11, 2025

Re-open Wednesday November 12, 2025

The Power of Advocacy is a multi-part webinar series designed to help you build confidence and practical skills to create positive change in your community. Through interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to share your story, connect with decision-makers, and use a range of advocacy tools—from individual action to shaping public policy. The series will conclude with an opportunity to put these skills into action during our advocacy trip to Richmond in January.

Register today! One brief registration signs you up for the entire advocacy series. 

Next Webinar: Webinar 3

Date: Monday, November 17, 2025 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Title: The Power of Advocacy 103: Turning Experience into Impact

Description:
Advocacy doesn’t happen in isolation. In fact, it is most powerful when it’s personal. This session explores how to turn lived experience into meaningful impact through storytelling. Participants will learn how to identify the key elements of an effective advocacy story, shape personal experiences into compelling messages for different audiences, and build trust and connection through authentic communication. We’ll also discuss how storytelling strengthens relationships with decision-makers, allies, and the broader disability community—demonstrating how, by coming together, we can go further.

In this session, we’ll be joined by two outstanding guest speakers, Jennifer Marshall and Lucy Beadnell, who will share their expertise and insights on how storytelling can create real change.

Guest Speakers:

·       Jennifer Marshall
With over a decade of experience in mental health advocacy and nonprofit leadership, Jennifer is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered. She co-founded and led This Is My Brave and now serves as Executive Director of Wellness Loudoun.

·       Lucy Beadnell
As Director of Advocacy at The Arc of Northern Virginia, Lucy leads efforts to advance disability rights, inclusion, and accessibility. She works with individuals, families, and policymakers to strengthen advocacy networks and ensure people with disabilities have a voice in shaping the systems that impact their lives.

Date: Wednesday, November 26th 

Time: 10:00 am- 4:00 pm 

Meeting Location: Franconia Metro     

We will meet at Franconia Metro to take the 322 for Springfield Mall. There we will meet in food court for lunch and either do shopping or see Zootopia 2 as voted on last meeting. We may move the date to the Friday before Thanksgiving — stay tuned for updates!

This outing will also include: 

• Introduction to all Metro lines and Fairfax connector

• Demonstration on how to use a SmarTrip Card 

• Overview of safety features on the bus 

• Introduction to Fairfax connector

Service dogs are welcome!  Please bring your own SMARTrip Cards, Lunch Funds!

Adult Social Club RSVP  ››

ECNV office will be closed Thursday November 27, 2025

Re-open Monday December 1, 2025

ECNV office will be closed Friday November 28, 2025

Re-open Monday December 1, 2025

The Power of Advocacy is a multi-part webinar series designed to help you build confidence and practical skills to create positive change in your community. Through interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to share your story, connect with decision-makers, and use a range of advocacy tools—from individual action to shaping public policy. The series will conclude with an opportunity to put these skills into action during our advocacy trip to Richmond in January.

Register today! One brief registration signs you up for the entire advocacy series. 

Next Webinar: Webinar 4

Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Title: The Power of Advocacy 104: From Learning to Leading in Legislative Advocacy

Description:
Get ready to bring your advocacy to the next level.  We will be joined by Richard Cerros, Community Relations Coordinator at the district office of Congressman Don Beyer. This session will walk you through what to expect when meeting with lawmakers and their staff, how to share your story in a compelling and memorable way, and practical strategies to stay organized and confident. Legislative advocacy is an important part of systems change.  Your relationships with elected officials and their staff could be the key to passing a new law that could benefit disabled people, or preventing a law that could harm us.   

ECNV office will be closed Thursday December 25, 2025

Re-open Friday December 26, 2025

ECNV office will be closed Thursday January 1, 2026

Re-open Friday January 2, 2026

The Power of Advocacy is a multi-part webinar series designed to help you build confidence and practical skills to create positive change in your community. Through interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to share your story, connect with decision-makers, and use a range of advocacy tools—from individual action to shaping public policy. The series will conclude with an opportunity to put these skills into action during our advocacy trip to Richmond in January.

Register today! One brief registration signs you up for the entire advocacy series. 

Next Webinar: Webinar 5

Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Title: The Power of Advocacy 105: Preparing for IL Day!

Description:

You’ve built your advocacy skills—now it’s time to put them into action at the State Capitol! This session will help you prepare for IL Day by walking through what to expect when meeting with legislators in person and how to make the most of your time at the Capitol. We’ll also cover important logistics, including where to meet, how to plan your day, and practical tips for staying comfortable and organized—like packing medications, assistive devices, and other essentials. Join us to feel fully prepared and confident for a successful day of advocacy at Richmond!