The Oklahoma Museums Association is pleased to be a partnering organization with the American Association of Museums (AAM) on Museum Advocacy Day in Washington DC.  In 2009, a new Congress and a new administration will begin working on a wide range of issues, including funding for museum programs and the reauthorization of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) which has a package that includes the Federal Formula Grants (FFG) for Museums. As you may know, OMA has been a FFG coalition member for two years and continues to advocate for it.   Museum voices need to be heard! During the two-day advocacy program on February 23-24, 2009, participants will be briefed on AAM's legislative agenda and will learn how to effectively communicate the value of museums to public policy makers.  The second day will consist of visits to Capitol Hill where we will make our case to Congress.  All museum professionals are invited to participate!  You can find out more information and register online at http://www.speakupformuseums.org/. On behalf of OMA and Oklahoma museums who are unable to make the trip to Washington DC, Marci Donaho and I will be attending Museum Advocacy Day.