NRLC 2008: Made to Order for Grassroots Pro-Life America.(National Right to Life Committee)

Marjorie Higgins is one of Jacki Regan's captains in NRLC's State Organ-izational 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 35 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-lifersand visit our capitalis 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." ...