The Civic Council's various advocacy programs are charged with individual missions on a variety of issues. To achieve their objectives, they perform independent research, conduct surveys, monitor legislation, meet with policymakers, publish reports, distribute information, sponsor conferences and seminars, issue news releases, organize national petition and voter drives, host events, and organize fact-finding trips.

We also lend support to other worthwhile benevolent projects with financial help and consultation, such as Zambia Hope International, a project to help children in Africa orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

Highlights of the Advocacy Program

-- Collected and delivered to Congress, the President and other policymakers a combined total of more than 1.5 million individual petitions signed by citizens from across the country. Most of the petitions relate to seniors' issues, seeking to secure and protect the benefits promised them by law.

- Held meetings with members of Congress and their staff members to discuss our positions on issues, especially the rights of senior citizens, including fair cost of living allowances and opposition to 'totalization'.

- Mailed 114,768 Council of Seniors election year surveys nationwide and provided the results to both Republican and Democrat presidential candidates. (See surveys on the Council of Seniors website.)

- Established a Seniors Resource Center, in Frederick, Maryland, that offers a wide range of information and services to seniors, including information on relevant legislation, lists of pro bono services, a library of books and periodicals for seniors, free Internet access and use of computers, printer and scanner, with tutorials.