OT: Congressional Breakfast in DC [NO POLITICS!]

Submitted by Michael on

I know there are quite a few folks on this forum living in the DC area and I'm hoping those who have attended the Congressional Breakfast in the past could share some details on what the event is like and their thoughts and impressions as well.

Just want to make sure I know what I'm signing up for should I decide to attend. Many thanks in advance!

 

Sopwith

February 14th, 2013 at 6:21 PM ^

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BOOM!  TUIASOSOPO'D!!

michiganinmd

February 14th, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^

A pretty standard breakfast, but a good number of the Michigan delagation shows up, as well as Michigan grads who are in Congress. A different member gives the keynote each year, Sandy Levin was last year and Mary Sue speaks as well.

There is also a silent auction, with a decent amount of UM related stuff.

It is a good way to get involved in the Michigan alumni association and helps fund scholarships for deserving high schoolers. So far, not a single funded scholarship has gone to a long snapper.

MGoShoe

February 14th, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^

...Congressional Breakfast because typically a Senator or Representative from the Michigan caucus is the guest speaker and because it's held in the vicinity of the Capitol.

The event is the DC Club's primary fundraiser for its scholarship funds. Expect a direct appeal for each table to pony up loose bills and checks. The event also features a truly tremendous silent auction. There are typically dozens of items worth bidding for including a large selection of signed Michigan and Detroit sports memorabilia.

Typically MSC and Steve Grafton lead the U-M contingent. This year's featured speaker is Gov Snyder. Regardless of your politics, it's an outstanding way to get engaged with the local club and purchase some sweet swag.

imgoingblue

February 14th, 2013 at 3:49 PM ^

The Congressional Breakfast is a really unique event.  Here is who attends:

 

About 30 different representatives from UM, including Mary Sue Coleman.  Mary Sue Coleman always speaks, and gives an update of what's happening in Ann Arbor.  Info you might not otherwise hear.  In addition to Mary Sue, folks from various schools also attend.  It's a way for the University to reach out to local alumni as well as members of Congress.

Around a dozen members of Congress or more, most of them representatives from southeastern Michigan, or senators.  There are other members of Congress who attend as well.

Congressional staffers

Local alumni.

This year, MI Governor Rick Snyder.

Steve Grafton & Mary Sue Coleman will speak, Gov Snyder will speak as the keynote, and the DC club President Charmaine Chan will speak as well.  The Glee Club alumni perform.

 

All in all, about 400-500 people attend annually.  The local club contributes $35,000 annually broken into two scholarships for high school seniors to attend UM.  The event is far, far and away the big fundraiser for this scholarship fund.  I encourage you to bid early and often.

Anyone, even if you are not attending, can bid here beginning 2/25: http://umdc2013auction.schoolauction.net/auction2013/

 

Any more questions I am happy to answer!

Alex Jaffe

DC Club Vice President