Here are some commonly asked questions about the Mountaintop Removal Week in Washington. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us at (828) 262-1500 or email outreach@appvoices.org.

When and what type of information will I receive after I sign up?

Several weeks in advance of the MTR Week in Washington, you will receive a package containing information about travel, lodging, and scheduling lobby appointments. It will also include background information on mountaintop removal and its effects on Appalachia’s landscape and communities.

What is the schedule while we are in DC?

This is the general schedule. We will send you a more specific schedule a few weeks in advance of the Week in Washington.

• April 5th (Saturday) - TRAVEL DAY - travel to DC, evening social reception.
• April 6th (Sunday) - LOBBY TRAINING DAY - Workshops: history, lobby messaging, lobby techniques, day in the life of a congressional staff, affected citizens panel, lobby team planning.
• April 7th (Monday) - LOBBY DAY - Dinner as a group.
• April 8th (Tuesday) - LOBBY DAY - Lunch with supportive congressional staff.
• April 9th (Wednesday) - LOBBY DAY - travel home.

How do the lobby visits work?

In early March, we will contact you about setting up appointments with members of Congress from your state. You will be placed with other participants from your state and with others directly affected by mountaintop removal.

Where will be when we are not doing lobby visits?

We will have a “HQ” set up Monday through Wednesday where breakfast and lunch will be served, and where participants can debrief and relax in between lobby visits. The HQ will be in walking distance of the congressional offices and some DC attractions.

How will I know how to get around in DC?

Directions for all travel up and during the event will be included in your information packets. In the beginning of March, we will contact participants regarding travel arrangements. There may be opportunities for carpooling with other MTR Week in Washington participants.

What are the costs involved and are there scholarships available?

Training and lobby materials, all breakfasts, 1 group dinner, and 3 group lunches are included. Participants are responsible for travel expenses, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, and hotel expenses. Hotel costs are estimated at $400 for 4 nights, if you share the room. Your travel costs will be dependent on mode of transportation, distance. Carpooling is encouraged (for your wallet and the environment)!

Limited scholarships may be available for travel and lodging.
Please indicate if you need a scholarship on your registration form.

We encourage you to do some fund raising to help you get to Washington DC. It also doubles as a chance to educate others in your community about mountaintop removal. Please send us your ideas and fund raising stories, too!

Some Suggestions:

• Host a presentation of Appalachian Treasures in your community and ask for donations. Email outreach@appvoices.org for your free kit today.
• Have a garage sale! Gather the things gathering dust in your and your friends’ garages, attics, and basements.
• Contact your local civic organization. Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Kiwanis and others support the causes of individuals in their communities.
• Ask your traveling buddies to donate their frequent flier miles to your trip to DC. If you need help with how that works, email us.
• Collect loose change. Label old yogurt cups or jars and pass them out to your friends and family, asking them to return a full cup for a good cause.
• Create an office fundraising challenge. Ask your colleagues to challenge each other to raise the highest amount. Give the winner a prize.
• Ask your local bartender to donate a portion of one day’s tips. Create a sign for the bartender stating “All tips collected tonight will go directly to ending mountaintop removal coal mining.”
• Host a used book sale. Gather your old books, ask your friends, family and neighbors to donate whatever they’ve got and set up a weekend book sale. Put up some signs so people will know where the money is going. Once they know that they may even give you more money.
• Contact local clubs and organizations. Send a solicitation letter to your local Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, etc. They support the causes of individuals in their communities.
• Host a Game Night. Invite your friends over for a night of competition. Charge them at the door and include some door prizes for the winners.

Where are we going to be during the week? - We’ve arranged all necessary meeting rooms, hotel accommodations, and a daily headquarters on Capitol Hill. If you have registered with us, PLEASE NOTIFY US ASAP IF YOU PLAN TO STAY ANYWHERE OTHER THAN THE HOTEL ROOM WE’VE RESERVED FOR YOU!

SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS: The members of the Alliance for Appalachia include:

Appalachian Citizens Law Center, Appalachian Voices, Appalshop, Coal River Mountain Watch, Heartwood, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Save Our Cumberland Mountains, Sierra Club Environmental Justice Program, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, Southwings, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy