Advocacy day: Air miles, carpooling and hosting members in DC

[chanduv23]

Originally Posted by actaccord

one of the reason I would like Core Team to consider sending email about the Advocacy Day.... that email will get more inactive member like Chandu who got greened and has no good reason (nothing wrong abt it...most of us do the same) to continue visiting IV. Please consider sending one email on Feb and March.

If someone gets out because of this email I am sure he/she is not going to work on any IV activities even if IV never sent any email. Those members join IV just for some free advice and nothing else.

Pappu & StarRun consider this request and let us know where we stand on this. I had collected some content from this forum for flyers ( decided not to pursue further after discussion and advice from StarRun).

On side note, I agree with Chandu regarding convincing our spouse on these kind of expense and participation is really tough a job. We have bought up by teaching/preaching any activities other than studying (for grownups working) is not worth it.

A well drafted newsletter - on a continual basis will keep members well informed. A lot of people visit this website only for information, timepass and to rant. Some do serious stuff but most just pass time here.

Newsletters - will help reach out to wider public. The desi groceries, movie distributors, restaurants send emails and coupons, toysrus, best buy , etc... send emails, coupons, so many organizations do it and I think IV must do it to.

[StarSun]

Who is IV?

You and I = WE.

[StarSun]

IV sent newsletters last year on advocacy efforts to its members. We are doing it this year as well. We are trying to reach out to our members to attend the event.

[tonyHK12]

Originally Posted by chanduv23

Newsletters - will help reach out to wider public. The desi groceries, movie distributors, restaurants send emails and coupons, toysrus, best buy , etc... send emails, coupons, so many organizations do it and I think IV must do it to.

This is a nice idea, maybe bi-weekly or monthly. No one has an advocacy oriented one and we can take the lead in this. As usual I agree to volunteer for this one. We can get inputs from core/Senior members and the ones meeting law makers.

[actaccord]

for the update, StarRun.

We should have done it early (by 2 weeks before and continue the same for every 2weeks) so that people who need to get air ticket & Accommodation can get it @ better pricing. Also we will start getting contribution from silent member which can help to understand the level of participation bit early so that we plan for the event perfectly (or close to perfection).

Originally Posted by StarSun

IV sent newsletters last year on advocacy efforts to its members. We are doing it this year as well. We are trying to reach out to our members to attend the event.

[chanduv23]

Originally Posted by actaccord

for the update, StarRun.

We should have done it early (by 2 weeks before and continue the same for every 2weeks) so that people who need to get air ticket & Accommodation can get it @ better pricing. Also we will start getting contribution from silent member which can help to understand the level of participation bit early so that we plan for the event perfectly (or close to perfection).

I agree. Flight tickets are discounted till the last 3 weeks, but if someone wnts to book at a later stage, they become expensive.

On another note, I think we must urge locals, and those in driving distance to really make it. People must take this very seriously.

Most EB3 have no clue whatsoever when the backlog clears. Everyone wants to just wait and discuss visa bulletins, but will not do anything. This includes EB3 ROW also.

People must step up and do some PR work.

[vin13]

I am volunteering to coordinate the collection and redemption of airline miles.

Those who would like to donate or in need please PM me with your Name and Phone number along with a good time to reach.

if you are donating miles, please also provide the airlines and the number of miles you wish to donate and contact info (name and phone number)

Please do not forget to put your phone number when you send me the PM.

Thanks

[chanduv23]

Originally Posted by vin13

I am volunteering to coordinate the collection and redemption of airline miles.

Those who would like to donate or in need please PM me with your Name and Phone number along with a good time to reach.

if you are donating miles, please also provide the airlines and the number of miles you wish to donate and contact info (name and phone number)

Please do not forget to put your phone number when you send me the PM.

Thanks

Great Vin. I would be glad to see you there. I am also reaching out to some old members who did this earlier and see if they can do any help in any possible way.

[actaccord]

have the process/steps on how to redeem those air miles ?

[PHANI_TAVVALA]

Originally Posted by vin13

I am volunteering to coordinate the collection and redemption of airline miles.

Those who would like to donate or in need please PM me with your Name and Phone number along with a good time to reach.

if you are donating miles, please also provide the airlines and the number of miles you wish to donate and contact info (name and phone number)

Please do not forget to put your phone number when you send me the PM.

Thanks

sent Delta miles information to you.

[reachinus]

I have 16000 us airways miles in 2 accounts.

[sukhwinderd]

here is a report which says there are more than 300,000 GC visa numbers were unused.
go to page 35 or search pdf for recapture to see chart.
from the report
This dialogue is critical considering that when USCIS
and DOS fail to accurately estimate cut-off dates, visas go
unused or are shifted to other family or employment-based
categories. Congress passed legislation permitting the
recapture of some unused visa numbers from previous
years.119 Figure 19 presents data on visa numbers “lost”
between 1992 and 2009 for both employment and family
preference categories.



http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/cisomb_2010_annual_report_to_congress.pdf

recapturing visas is the easiest way to clear backlog. it has happened before and can happen again, if all of us try.

[sathishav]

Guys,

1. I live in Cary and planning to drive to DC on Apr 04/05. Open to car pool.

2. I just came across this forum and made a small $50 donation. ( More later on how things work out) . I still don't have access to Donor forums. I did mail StarSun my unique#.

inputs appreciated.

[chanduv23]

Originally Posted by sathishav

Guys,

1. I live in Cary and planning to drive to DC on Apr 04/05. Open to car pool.

2. I just came across this forum and made a small $50 donation. ( More later on how things work out) . I still don't have access to Donor forums. I did mail StarSun my unique#.

inputs appreciated.

Awesome, way to go. Invite your friends, bring your colleagues.

[StarSun]

Sukhwinder is coordinating the efforts on carpool and hosting options.

Members who wish to carpool please post on the thread as well as send an email to Sukhwinder - 2011carpool@gmail.com

Vinay is coordinating the efforts on airmiles, people wishing to donate air miles or request help for using the air miles, please PM vin13.

Thank you.