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NRL News
NRLC
2008: Made to Order for Grassroots Pro-Life America Marjorie Higgins is one of Jacki Regan’s captains in NRLC’s State Organizational Development Department, and it takes all of about 90 seconds to figure out why Marji and Jacki work together seamlessly. Both are energetic, passionate, detail-oriented women, who believe without hesitation that the Movement’s “people power” can match, indeed surpass, the enormous financial advantage enjoyed by the anti-life lobby. And no single gathering better educates and empowers grassroots pro-lifers than NRLC’s annual national convention. This year’s 36th annual convention takes places July 3–5 in Crystal City, Virginia, a stone’s throw away from the nation’s capital. (See pages 10 and 11 for information how to register or go to http://www.nrlc.org/convention/.) Marji readily agreed that many of the 1,000+ attendees will be veterans of previous conventions, but reminded me that there are always lots of newcomers, especially when the convention takes place in Washington, D.C., over the 4th of July holiday. “Right now people are starting to think about their summer vacations,” she told me. “The chance to learn from the experts and break bread with fellow pro-lifers—and visit our capital—is an irresistible combination to many families.” So what would a newcomer find particularly interesting among four general sessions, a Prayer Breakfast, a closing Banquet, and 70 or so workshops? “You’re almost enveloped in this sea of energy and information,” Marji said. “There is so much expertise that you are constantly exposed to answers to questions you didn’t even know you had.” Moreover, she added, “before and after all the workshops and general sessions, you have this wonderful experience that is yours for the taking: fellowshipping with people from all over this great nation who know exactly what you may be facing back in your own home town.” And it’s not just about what you learn, Marji reminded me, it’s what you do with it. “You’re like a sponge at NRLC’s annual convention,” she said, “there to soak up information, ideas, proven techniques, and resources to share with your friends and compatriots back in your local chapters.” For example, “You’ll know how to tackle local and state issues, how to speak to elected officials, how to speak about the life issues to your friends and neighbors in a non-threatening way that illuminates what’s at stake.” Virtually every topic you could come up will be addressed at NRLC 2008. But two things will really stand out: “the extraordinarily talented high school and college-age students who will be everywhere,” Marji said, “and the ever-greater emphasis on post-abortion issues, both for women and, increasingly, men.” At NRLC 2008, she said, “you will get a strong dose of the truth, exposure to the kind of in-depth explanation of everything you need to know in order to become a more stronger, more effective champion for unborn babies and the medically dependent.” What better way to spend the 4th of July than walking around our nation’s capital and seeing the truths enshrined in marble statues lived out in the lives of flesh-and-blood servants of life? |