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FAQs

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

The FAQs on this page are for our Open Enrollment courses, our public Congressional Operations Briefing - Capitol Hill Workshop, and our products and services generally.

For Sponsored Course FAQs, see
 - FAQs About Our Sponsored Courses

Do you have a series of FAQs about Congress and Washington? What is an "Open Enrollment" course? How can I register for an Open Enrollment course? Does TCN take credit cards? PayPal? Can you bill or invoice me? Do you offer discounts to nonprofits or government agencies? Who are you? Can I buy the materials from your programs? Do you send me the course materials before the course starts? Are all statements at your courses and seminars "off the record"? Where are your courses held? Is there parking available at the American Trucking Assn., National Democratic Club, Cannon House Office Building, or the Capitol Hill Club? Are there any hotels near the training site? 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? What happens if my payment is not received by the start of the course?

Do you accept "walk-ins" at your programs? What if I don't show up for the course? What is your substitution and cancellation policy? What is your weather/snow policy? Are meals included in your courses? Do I need to bring a computer or any materials with me? Is business dress required for your courses? What courses use your publications as part of the course materials? What is your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)? Do your courses qualify for CLE or CEU? Do you issue Certificates of Training? If there are courses, or topics in your existing programs, that I would like to see TheCapitol.Net offer, how do I suggest those? What should I do the day of the course? What is your DUNS number?  Tax ID?  CAGE code?

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 FAQs about our Sponsored Courses and about our custom, on-site training.

 

2.  What is an "Open Enrollment" course? How can I register for a course?

An "Open Enrollment" course is a course that is open to the public and available for individual registration at the price per person stated on the course's web page. Space is limited for all of our courses. If we receive insufficient registrations for an Open Enrollment course then we will cancel the course. See our complete cancellation policy for details.

We have general registration information here. You may go to our website at www.thecapitol.net and use our secure online registration process. 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) 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.

We do not complete any agency or government forms for Open Enrollment courses. If you want TCN to complete agency or government forms to register for a course, you must contact us to arrange for a custom training program.

We do not take course registrations or orders over the phone. Use our online process, or mail us a form.

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3.  Does TCN take credit cards? Google Checkout? PayPal?

**  Our preferred methods of payment for Open Enrollment Courses are credit cards.

We accept Mastercard, VISA, American Express, and Discover. We no longer accept PayPal. Although we also accept checks and money orders for our Open Enrollment courses (however, see our payment policy page for details about check and money order payments), please note that we do not hold your space unitl we have received your payment. We do not accept checks from non-US banks, and all payments must be made in USD ($). Please see our payment policy page for details.

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/SAM 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)   

               

4.  Can you bill or invoice me?

We accept most major credit cards and payment by check or EFT/ACH. See our payment policy page for details.

Government Employees please note: You must submit payment with your training forms - purchase orders and training forms (including SF 182) are NOT payment. We accept government credit cards and electronic funds transfer (EFT/ACH). See our payment policy for details. Please see our registration in CCR/SAM 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.
We do not complete any agency or government forms (other than authorizing electronic funds transfer) for Open Enrollment courses. If you want TCN to complete agency or government forms to register for a course, you must contact us to arrange for a custom training program.

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

5.  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. 

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6.  Who are you?

We have a page that describes our non-partisan small business.

 

7.  Can I buy the materials from your courses?

We do not sell our training manuals, but we do sell our Congressional Deskbook, Congressional Procedure and regular editions of published books used in our programs. Please see our web site under the "Publications" link - you can order securely online at our web site.

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

For in-person live courses, all course materials are distributed to each registrant in person at the course during registration, which is held immediately before the course. We do not send out course materials in advance for live in-person courses.

For online live courses, we mail the printed course materials to you at the shipping address you provided at registration approximately two  weeks before the course starts. If there are no printed materials for your course, you will be emailed digital materials.

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. All of our courses and their contents are copyright (C)(p)  by TheCapitol.Net.

10.  Where are your courses held?

Our Open Enrollment live in-person 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, usually at least 3 weeks before the course date.

We use Adobe Connect or Zoom for our live online courses. You need a computer or laptop with a camera and microphone and Internet access. You will need to download either the Adobe Connect app (the app is recommended) or Adobe Flash to access Adobe Connect. You will be sent a course URL, password, and quick start guide before the course date. We encourage you to test the connectivity of your computer/laptop prior to the course. For online live courses, we mail printed course materials to you at the shipping address you provided at registration approximately two weeks before the course starts. If there are no print materials for your course, you will be emailed digital materials.

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. A good guide "How to use Metrorail (subway) in Washington, DC," is 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. See our payment policy for details.

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

If spaces are available at our live in-person courses, we will accept "walk-ins" at our Open Enrollment courses. We prefer a minimum of 24 hours notice to be sure there are spaces and course manuals available. Payment in full will be expected upon registration. Please call our registrar at 202-678-1600, 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. 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 TCNCancel.com.

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17.  What is your substitution and cancellation policy?

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

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

** Cancellation Fees for Open Enrollment Courses
Time Before Course	Substitutions Allowed	Cancellation Fee
More than 4 weeks	No charge	No charge
15 days to 4 weeks	No charge	33% of tuition
4 days to 2 weeks	No charge	66% of tuition
Less than 4 days before program (no refunds to no-shows)	No charge	No refund

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18.  What is your weather/snow policy?

Open Enrollment 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 in-person Open Enrollment courses?

Morning refreshments and coffee breaks are included in all of our in-person Open Enrollment courses. Networking lunches are included in all one-day and longer in-person Open Enrollment courses that have a registration fee of more than $494, including our Congressional Operations Briefing - 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, not for in-person courses. You are welcome to bring a pen and a pad of notepaper, but all materials are provided. You are welcome to bring your laptop. (Please note that no recording of our courses is allowed.)

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21.  Is business dress required for your courses?

For in-person courses, business attire is required (office casual is OK), 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)

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

The Training Edition of the Congressional Procedure is used in three of our courses: Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process, Advanced Legislative Procedure, and the Congressional Operations Briefing - 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 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 Operations Briefing - 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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23.  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)

24.  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.

25.  Do you issue Certificates of Training?

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

26.  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.

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

• For in-person courses:

• Business attire is required, military uniforms are optional. Business casual is fine. However, be aware that during the Congressional Operations Briefing - Capitol Hill Workshop, part of the briefing includes attending a congressional hearing and you may wish to dress more formally for that.

• Meeting rooms can be chilly - 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 phones and other personal electronic devices during the course. 

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  Want to know

• Who teaches and writes for us?

• Who some of our clients are?  (longer list here)

• What our clients say about our training?

• What our cancellation policy says?

• What we do when there is bad weather in Washington?

• How to get added to or removed from our email list?

• How to get added to or removed from our fax or regular mailing lists?

TheCapitol.Net is a non-partisan firm, and the opinions of its faculty, authors, clients and of the owners and operators of its vendors are their own and do not represent those of TheCapitol.Net.

 

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TheCapitol.Net, Inc.
PO Box 25706
Alexandria, VA  22313-5706
202-678-1600

FEIN: 54-1917701   
DUNS number: 04-273-5071
CAGE: 1K5S4
SIC: 8299, 2741, 8742   
NAIC: 611430, 56192, 5111, 541611

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