The Joint Council of Extension Professionals’ Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) Conference brings together Extension professionals, elected officials, and volunteers to learn how to communicate Extension’s value, increase understanding of our federal partnerships, and build experience and confidence in engaging with elected leaders. PILD is open to all Extension professionals in 1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions and we invite proposals from a wide array of disciplines that reflect the themes of the conference.
Mission: Enhance education and advocacy skills to positively affect federal, state, and local resources available for Cooperative Extension.
Objectives:
- Broaden the understanding of how public policy issues impact Extension and Extension clientele.
- Empower Extension volunteers and professionals to be engaged leaders on public issues.
- Broaden participants' understanding of the national Extension system and directly engage them in the political process.
- Learn how changing political environments at the state and national levels affect the local Extension system.
- Build the skills and confidence of participants to be effective representatives of Extension at all levels of government and community leadership.
- Grow support for Extension through a targeted day of congressional engagement with decision-makers.
Theme: Year-Round Advocacy - The 2024 PILD theme recognizes Extension’s ongoing ability to leverage funding, partnerships, and technology to build national, regional, and local advocates to meet the challenges of economic development; youth and adult programming; diversity, equity, inclusion; and emerging issues to strengthen and empower local communities and constituents.
The PILD conference sessions are offered on April 15 and 16. April 17 is the designated day for visits to Capitol Hill.
To arrange appointments for Capitol Hill visits on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, please contact your state Extension Program Director to gain approval. Participants should request and arrange these appointments before traveling to the conference. These appointments are not made nor coordinated by JCEP or the PILD team.
PILD full conference registration includes the Virtual Pre-Conference Event.
P ILD ACTIVITIES
TWILIGHT MONUMENT TOUR
This is an evening, guided bus tour with stops at several key monuments in Washington, DC. Tickets can be purchased when registering.
The After Dark Monument Tour will include the memorials on the mall and around the tidal basin. If time permits the Iwo Jima may be visited.
