HI-USA National Council Meeting

The 2008 HI-USA National Council Meeting was held November 20-22 in Washington, DC.In addition to participating in National Council meetings and activities, on November 20th, 63 HI-USA advocates conducted 104 meetings at the Capitol Hill offices of Members of Congress.Representatives for the Los Angeles Council were Jayme Leslie, Vice President of the Board of Directors, John Lukes, retired Board Member, John Estrada, Council Executive Director, and Stephanie Rizzi, Director of Educational Programs.

HI-USA’s annual National Council Meeting celebrated the approval by the United States Postal Service of a special Anniversary postmark honoring HI-USA's 75 Years. This is in addition to HI-USA’s own creations of distinctive commemorative seals celebrating our anniversary. In 2008, HI-USA requested our congressional and senate representatives to co-sponsor resolutions recognizing HI-USA’s 75 years of promoting intercultural exchange and youth travel. Thirty-eight representatives co-sponsored the bill granting the resolutions, unfortunately though, the bill died in committee. To thank those members of congress that helped in sponsoring the resolution, framed representations of the commemorative seals and postmark were presented to each representative. In the picture above HI-Los Angeles’ Stephanie Rizzi, and Executive Director John Estrada are seen presenting the framed representation of the seal and postmark to Stephanie Williamson, the Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Howard Berman (34th District). Other Los Angeles representatives receiving the framed representations were Congressman Henry Waxman (30th District) and Congresswoman Maxine Waters (35th District). HI-USA Los Angeles appreciates our Congressional Representatives recognition and looks forward to their continued support.

HI-USA and our many friends and supporters have worked hard since 2006. Volunteers and staff began advocating for a postage stamp in honor of hostelling’s Centennial at the National Council Meeting in 2006. In 2007, we advocated for House and Senate resolutions recognizing HI-USA’s 75th anniversary. A resolution was adopted in the Senate, and another resolution will be reintroduced in 2009 in the House. Our request was twofold for 2008: HI-USA wants House and Senate floor speeches – made early 2009 – to recognize the local and national contributions of hostelling, and we want attendance by Members of Congress at local 2009 Anniversary Year events.

Lastly, the Los Angeles Council was awarded the Dick Leary Newsletter Award. Each year this award recognizes a council “for overall excellence in newsletter design and production.” The Wanderer is the name for our Council’s printed and e-Newsletter formats. Thrilled to receive the news is staff members John Estrada and Erin Hamant.

Needless to say we are all proud of the many successes for hostels in the U.S. and the impacts they make in each community. HI-USA hopes everyone is ready to celebrate! Next year’s milestone 2009 National Council Meeting will be held in the cradle of the U.S. hostelling movement – Boston, Massachusetts.

HI-Travel Grant

(Photo by Sam Byker. Sam was the 2008 Travel Grant recipient.)

The Los Angeles Council of HI-USA promotes and supports the pursuit of world exploration and experiential education by bestowing an annual travel grant of $1,000.  The grant is awarded to a HI-USA member between the ages of 17 and 26 who lives in the greater Los Angeles area.  The purpose of the grant is to assist the recipient in realizing their goals through travel.

Tell your fearless daughter, son, niece, nephew, friend or even yourself to apply between January 1 and March 15th for the 2009 HI-Travel Grant. Download applications, official guidelines and read about past recipients on our website. Bon Voyage!