Courses > Course Schedule
FAQs

FAQs About Our Courses 
(and our products and services generally)

1.  Do you have a series of FAQs about Congress and Washington?

Yes we do, just click this sentence and then scroll down the page.  We also have a FAQ about our custom, on-site training.

2.  Does TCN take credit cards? Google Checkout? PayPal? Intuit PaymentNetwork?

**  Our preferred methods of payment are checks, Intuit PaymentNetwork (IPN) (a free service), and EFT/ACH.

We accept Mastercard, VISA, American Express, and Discover. We also accept checks, money orders, Google Checkout (a free service), and Intuit PaymentNetwork (IPN) (a free service).  We do not accept checks from non-US banks, and all payments must be made in USD ($).

Government Employees please note: You must submit payment with your training forms.  We accept government credit cards and electronic funds transfer (EFT/ACH).  Please see our registration in CCR for EFT/ACH information.

Your credit card statement will show charges from us as "THECAPITOLNET22305" or "THECAPITOLN" or "TheCapitolNet 2026781600" or "TheCapitolNetAlexVA 7037393790".

See our payment policy for details.

If you need a Form W-9, we have a pre-filled version here (1-page pdf)   

               

3.  Can you bill or invoice me?

We prefer payment by check, Intuit PaymentNetwork (IPN) (a free service), or EFT/ACH.  We also accept credit cards.

Government Employees please note: You must submit payment with your training forms.  We accept government credit cards and electronic funds transfer (EFT/ACH).  See our payment policy for details.  Please see our registration in CCR for EFT/ACH information. If your agency has a specific form that must be completed by us to authorize EFT/ACH payment, please send that form to our registrar at least 4 weeks before the program date.

If you need a Form W-9, we have a pre-filled version here (1-page pdf)

4.  Do you offer discounts to nonprofits or government agencies?

Because we are non-partisan all attendees, regardless of employer, affiliation or status, pay the same price. 

5.  How can I register for a course?

We have general registration information here. You may go to our website at www.thecapitol.net and use our secure online registration process or you may fax us a registration form at 703-739-1195. Click the "Register for this course" button anywhere you see it on our web site for secure online registration.  We have a registration form in Adobe pdf that you can print out, complete (include payment information), and fax (703-739-1195) or mail it to us (TheCapitol.Net, PO Box 25706, Alexandria, VA  22313-5706). 

If you get a "Wait List Only" message when registering, please select the next available course date.

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6.  Who are you?

We have a page that describes our non-partisan firm.

 

7.  Can I buy the materials from your courses?

We do not sell our training manuals, but we do sell our Congressional Deskbook, Congressional Directory and regular editions of published books used in our programs. Please see our website as they are listed under the "Publications" link - you can order securely online at our website or by faxing us an order.

8.  Do you send me the course materials before the course starts?

All course materials are distributed at the course during registration, which is held immediately before the course.  We do not send out course materials in advance.

9.  Are all discussions and statements at your courses and seminars "off the record"?

All statements and discussion at all of our courses, workshops and seminars, public and custom, are off the record and not for attribution, unless specified otherwise. The resulting confidentiality ensures a frank and free exchange of views.

10.  Where are your courses held?

Our courses are held at these Washington, DC, locations. After registration and prior to the course, we will send you a course confirmation that will include the exact location of your course. The location is also listed on each course's web page once the location is available. 

11.  Is there parking available on Capitol Hill?

No. Public parking on Capitol Hill is difficult to locate and we recommend using the Metro as a result of the heightened security on the Hill after September 11, 2001. Alternatives include parking at Union Station (Metro: Union Station) or the Washington Design Center (enter at 343 Virginia Ave SW, Washington, DC) (Metro: Federal Center SW) and taking the Metro to the Capitol South Metro stop, walking or taking a cab. 

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12.  Are there any hotels near the training sites?

For a complete listing of hotels in the area, please see the map, with some hotels listed, that we distribute to our attendees. 

13.  I've never visited Washington, DC.  Can you help me figure out how to get to my hotel from the airport?  And is the subway in Washington, DC, easy to use?

Many registrants for our training courses come from across the country.  We have a page that describes some of the ways of "getting into, around, and out of Washington," including to and from the three area airports, here.

The subway in Washington, also called Metrorail (or by many, "the Metro"), is very easy and convenient to use.  We have a page with links, "How to use Metrorail (subway) in Washington, DC,"  here. 

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14.  What happens if my payment is not received by the start of the course?

We do expect payment prior to the start of the course.  However, if your payment has been delayed, please make prior arrangements with our registrar so that you may still attend. You can call our registrar at 703-739-3790, extension 0.  See our payment policy for details.

15.  Do you accept "walk-ins" at your courses?

If spaces are available, we will accept "walk-ins". We prefer a minimum of 24 hours notice to be sure there are spaces and course manuals available. Payment will be expected upon registration. Please call our registrar at 703-739-3790, extension 0, to ask if space is available.

 

16.  What if I don't show up for the course for which I have registered?

A "no-show" is when you do not call or show up and you forfeit all registration fees. We send course materials out to fully-paid no-shows within two weeks after the course they missed. You should always call - and follow up in writing - to be sure to let us know the circumstances of your cancellation as soon as possible.  Our complete cancellation policy is on our web site at www.AboutCancel.com.

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17.  What is your transfer or cancellation policy?

Our complete cancellation policy is on our web site at www.AboutCancel.com. 

For all of our courses, substitutions, cancellations, and transfers must be submitted in writing to us. Substitutions must be submitted in writing - include substitute's name, phone and email. Our transfer and cancellation fees are outlined below.

** Transfer and Cancellation Fee
Time Before Course	Substitutions Allowed	Transfer Fee	Cancellation Fee
More than 4 weeks	No charge	No charge	No charge
15 days to 4 weeks	No charge	10% of tuition	25% of tuition
4 days to 2 weeks	No charge	20% of tuition	50% of tuition
1 to 3 days	No charge	30% of tuition	75% of tuition
day of program (no refunds to no-shows)	No charge	No refund	No refund

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18.  What is your weather/snow policy?

Courses sponsored by TheCapitol.Net (TCN) and scheduled in Washington, DC, are cancelled when the federal government operating status in the Washington, DC metropolitan area is "Federal agencies in Washington, DC are CLOSED" according to OPM.  Our complete weather policy is on our web site at www.SnowPolicy.com.

19.  Are meals included in your courses?

Morning refreshments and coffee breaks are included in all of our courses.  Networking lunches are included in all one-day and longer courses that have a registration fee of more than $494, including our Congressional Briefing Conference - Capitol Hill Workshop, which is three days of training. Be sure to check your program materials for your specific course details.

20.  Do I need to bring a computer or any materials with me for your courses?

No. You are welcome to bring a pen and a pad of notepaper, but all materials are provided. You are welcome to bring your laptop, especially to any of our research courses using our WiFi Classroom. (Please note that no recording of our courses is allowed.)

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21. What is your Portable WiFi Classroom^TM?

We provide wireless Internet access (WiFi) and laptops in our Portable WiFi Classroom^TM for our research courses. See course descriptions for details.  You are also welcome to bring your own Wi-Fi equipped laptop and take advantage of our Wi-Fi Classroom courses to enhance your learning.

We use Asus eee PC 1000HE's in our Portable WiFi Classroom.

We can also provide our Portable WiFi Classroom for custom, on-site training.

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22.  Is business dress required for your courses?

Business attire is required, military uniforms are optional.  Please bear in mind that meeting rooms can be chilly, so you may wish to bring a sweater or jacket. 

Also see:  What should I do the day of the course? (below)

23.  What courses use your publications as part of the course materials?

The Training Edition of the Congressional Deskbook is used in three of our courses: Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, Advanced Legislative Strategies, and the Congressional Briefing Conference - Capitol Hill Workshop.

Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers is used in one of our courses: Effective Executive Briefings: The Art of Persuasion.

The Training Edition of Legislative Drafter's Deskbook is used in Drafting Federal Legislation and Amendments.

The Training Edition of Lobbying and Advocacy is used in the Congressional Briefing Conference - Capitol Hill Workshop.

The Training Edition of Media Relations Handbook is used in two of our courses: Media Relations for Public Affairs Professionals and Advanced Media Relations Workshop.

The Training Edition of Persuading Congress is used in Strategies for Working with Congress: Effective Communication and Advocacy on Capitol Hill and the Congressional Briefing Conference - Capitol Hill Workshop.

The Training Edition of Real World Research Skills is used in Research Tools and Techniques for Analysts: Refining Your Online and Offline Resarch.

The Training Edition of Testifying Before Congress is used in Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony.

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24.  What is your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)?

TheCapitol.Net, Inc.'s TIN (also called the Federal Employer Identification Number, or FEIN, or just EIN), is 54-1917701.  If you need a Form W-9, we have a pre-filled version here (1-page pdf)

25.  Do your courses qualify for CLE or CEU?

Many attorneys in mandatory CLE states have received credit for attending our courses.  However, because we do not seek CLE accreditation, if you desire CLE credits, see our CLE credit page for information about how to apply to your state. 

Our courses are approved for CEUs from George Mason University.

   Where you see this symbol, it indicates how many CEUs are approved for that course by George Mason University.

26.  Do you issue Certificates of Training?

We issue Certificates of Training for all of our courses.   For more information, see our Certificate of Training page.  Our courses are approved for CEUs from George Mason University. 

Also see our two Certificate Programs.

27.  Do you have a mailing list so I can receive mailings about your upcoming courses?

We have several mailing lists: regular mail and fax, and email.

28.  If there are courses or topics that I would like to see TheCapitol.Net offer, how do I suggest those?

If you have suggestions for new courses or new topics you would like to see us offer, please contact us or complete our online suggestion form.

29.  What should I do the day of the course?

• Business attire is required, military uniforms are optional.

• Please bear in mind that meeting rooms can be chilly, so you may wish to bring a sweater or jacket.

• Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the course is scheduled to start so you can sign in and get your materials.

• Morning refreshments and coffee breaks are provided. 

• Wear your name tag to all events, including meals - on your right lapel is recommended.

• Introduce yourself and hand out your business card to other attendees - this is a great time to network.

• Turn off cellular phones and pagers during the course. 

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  Want to know

URL: www.TheCapitol.Net/PublicPrograms/FAQ.html
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