Run of show

Run of Show

July 2nd Docs After Dark-Boulder Public Library 6:30-8:15 pm (panel to meet at 6:10 pm prior to event)

• Quick intro-- 2 mins
• Show Films- Rovina’s Choice (21 mins) and Heist (41 mins)
• Panel – 26 min

• Proposed Questions

1)    Panelist introductions

2) What drew you to public service and, specifically, to USAID?

3)  What do you think has been lost with the dismantling of USAID and how does it impact US interests?

Soft Power-

Security

Partnerships

Trust

Moral Authority

4)    How do changes in foreign assistance affect Americans/ Coloradans at home? What are the connections between foreign aid, national security, economic interests, and global stability?

Ebola

Food Security

Global Health

Reaching marginalized and vulnerable populations affected by the worlds most pressing problems.

5) What is your response when people argue that we should be spending our taxpayer money supporting people at home rather than overseas?

• Q&A- 15 minutes
• Close by 8:15 pm

Sample email to venue

[ONE SENTENCE INTRO - YOUR CONNECTION TO THE VENUE AND TO USAID] I was wondering if the [VENUE] might be interested in showing the Oscar-shortlisted film “Rovina’s Choice,” a short documentary from The New Yorker, which traces the effects of President Trump’s executive order suspending U.S. foreign aid.

I'd suggest that we could pair a viewing of the film with a panel of community members who worked in international development. They could describe their experience and work, its impact, and share stories to provide attendees with context on what has been lost as a result of the destruction of USAID.

Please let me know if this viewing and event might be of interest!

Best,

[Name]

About the Film:

“Rovina’s Choice,” a harrowing account of a mother’s efforts to save her daughter from sickness and starvation in the wake of the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Rovina Naboi’s devastating story represents the global impact of that decision on the world’s most vulnerable populations, and how it stopped decades of progress combating severe malnutrition and infectious disease.

Invitation to panelists

I wanted to follow up on our conversation this week to formally invite you to participate as a panelist at a special documentary film event at the [Venue Name]. "Docs after Dark: The Human Stories Behind Cuts to USAID and the Federal Workforce" will feature screenings of Rovina's Choice and Heist, followed by a panel discussion with you and others impacted by the dismantling of USAID.

We believe this event is an opportunity to reflect together on what has been lost, why it matters, and what comes next. We would be honored to have you with us.

[Name] and [Name] will join you on the panel. We are currently thinking through how the event will be moderated and will share additional details by the end of next week. The panel will last no longer than 25 minutes and will take place after the film screenings.

Event Details: [DATE, TIME, LOCATION]

Thank you for your consideration.

Warm regards,

Social media and slide examples

Example for of graphic for social media

Slides for use before the film and during the panel

Docs After Dark Slides

Find your state impact map here: https://www.aidonthehill.org/resources

Talking points

Overall framing:

This event isn't about politics—it's about people. It's about the Coloradans whose careers were dedicated to serving the public, the communities around the world whose lives were changed through American partnership, and the lasting value of maintaining a skilled, nonpartisan federal workforce that keeps Americans safe, healthy, and economically strong.

That said, it’s okay to be blunt and forceful about what has been lost. Emotion is powerful - as are personal stories.

1. Foreign assistance makes America safer, healthier, and more prosperous.

Key message: USAID was not charity—it was a strategic investment that advanced U.S. national security, public health, economic interests, and global stability.

Supporting evidence:

• Foreign assistance has historically represented about 1% of the federal budget, despite many Americans believing it is much larger.
• USAID programs helped:

• Prevent and respond to global disease outbreaks before they reached U.S. borders (Ebola, COVID-19 preparedness, avian influenza).
• Reduce instability that can fuel conflict, terrorism, and forced migration.
• Support food security during famines and humanitarian crises.
• Build markets for American businesses and agricultural exports.

• Every year, U.S. development programs supported millions through:

• Childhood vaccinations
• Maternal and child health
• HIV/AIDS treatment
• Malaria prevention
• Clean water and sanitation
• Disaster response

• American leadership in development has long been viewed as an important source of U.S. diplomatic influence ("soft power"), helping strengthen alliances and compete with strategic rivals such as China and Russia.

2. Colorado lost jobs, expertise, and economic activity.

Key message: The impacts were not limited to Washington, D.C. Colorado is home to a significant international development ecosystem and thousands of people whose work supports global health, agriculture, humanitarian assistance, and democracy.

Supporting evidence:

• Colorado has one of the nation's largest international development communities.

• More than 18 Colorado-based organizations lost contracts and awards.
• The losses for Colorado totalled more than $255 million, according to a 2025 estimate.
• A handout is available at the table outside the theater so you can learn more.

• Recent reductions resulted in:

• Layoffs and furloughs.
• Closure or downsizing of Colorado-based firms.
• Loss of highly skilled workers with decades of international experience.
• Reduced spending at local businesses throughout the Front Range.

• Colorado universities—including the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University—have historically partnered on international research supported by federal funding.
• Colorado also benefits from international visitors, students, and business relationships fostered through decades of development partnerships.

3. The cuts are part of a broader loss of public service capacity.

Key message: The issue extends beyond USAID. Across government, including right here in Boulder, experienced public servants are leaving agencies that Americans rely on every day.

The administration’s continual outrageous actions like the UFC fight and the ballroom distract from the deeply harmful and ongoing cuts to the federal workforce and federal grants, cuts that will impact the functioning of government for a generation.

Supporting evidence:

• Scientific/climate expertise:

• Colorado, especially Boulder, is home to some of America's premier scientific institutions. When agencies like NOAA and NREL lose funding or staff, it's not just scientists who are affected. We lose better weather forecasts, stronger wildfire preparedness, energy innovation, high-skilled jobs, and the research partnerships that help keep Colorado—and the country—safe, competitive, and prosperous.
• Agencies facing workforce reductions or major restructuring have included:

• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder:

• In late 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to dissolve or break up NCAR, arguing that its functions should be redistributed or eliminated. Since then, the National Science Foundation has explored proposals to restructure NCAR's operations. In June 2026, a federal judge temporarily blocked the administration from moving forward while litigation continues, meaning the threat remains unresolved rather than eliminated.

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (weather forecasting, climate science)

• Hundreds of NOAA employees were laid off or accepted buyouts in 2025. Some National Weather Service offices temporarily reduced weather balloon launches because of staffing shortages. The administration proposed reducing NOAA's FY2026 budget by roughly 27–32% (about $1.6–1.7 billion), one of the largest proposed cuts in the agency's history. The budget proposal would eliminate nearly all funding for NOAA's climate research laboratories and cooperative institutes, while substantially reducing grants that support university research.

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (clean energy innovation)

• NREL has experienced layoffs and hiring freezes tied to reductions in federal funding and broader administration efforts to shrink the federal workforce.

• Public lands:

• The National Park Service has experienced significant staffing reductions and proposed budget cuts despite record visitation. Since early 2025, the Park Service has lost thousands of employees through layoffs, buyouts, and attrition. The administration's FY2026 budget proposed reducing Park Service operations by more than 25% (about $736 million) and eliminating nearly 3,000 additional positions, though Congress has pushed back on some of the deepest reductions.
• Approximately 3,400 U.S. Forest Service employees were dismissed in early 2025, many of whom worked on trail maintenance, watershed protection, timber management, and hazardous fuels reduction.

• Other federal agencies experiencing hiring freezes, layoffs, or reorganizations.

• Corporation for Public Broadcasting (public media)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (disease surveillance)
• And many others…

• Career civil servants provide continuity across presidential administrations.
• These employees implement laws passed by Congress, respond to disasters, conduct scientific research, administer benefits, inspect food and medicines, forecast severe weather, and protect public health.
• Workforce reductions can lead to:

• Loss of institutional knowledge.
• Slower public services.
• Reduced emergency preparedness.
• Greater difficulty recruiting future experts into government careers.

• Colorado is particularly affected because of its large concentration of federal laboratories, research institutions, and federal employees.

4. What you can do

1. Attend the upcoming event with Nicholas Enrich on July 28 in Denver to hear more about USAID’s story. Use the QR code for a free ticket.

2. If you know any fired feds, feel free to connect them with us for job search support. Use the small QR code at the bottom of the slide or talk with one of us.

3. Tell Congress to:

1. Support robust funding for the International Affairs Budget, including humanitarian assistance, global health, and development programs.
2. Protect the merit-based federal workforce so that we ensure agencies have the expertise needed to serve the public effectively.

4. If you own/operate a company or organization that is hiring, give federal workers a chance. Their resumes may look different than those in the private sector, but they have remarkable skills and flexibility.

Invitations to reps

Subject: Invitation for You or Your Staff to Attend Community Forum in Boulder

Dear Representative [NAME],

As the Representative for [DISTRICT], we would be honored to invite you or a member of your staff to attend an upcoming community event at the [LOCATION]. This event is hosted by the Tuesday Group, a network of Coloradans who have been directly affected by federal workforce cuts – many of whom live in Boulder and the surrounding area. [UPDATE]

Docs After Dark: The Human Stories Behind Cuts to USAID and the Federal Workforce
[DATE, TIME, LOCATION]

The evening will include screenings of Rovina's Choice and Heist, followed by a panel discussion featuring former USAID staff and former federal employees. Participants will share personal experiences related to recent agency closures, workforce reductions, and program cuts.

The Tuesday Group includes more than 300 Coloradans affected by these changes. Many are your constituents and have deep ties to Boulder County's research, nonprofit, public service, and international affairs communities. [UPDATE]

We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to share these stories with you or your staff and discuss the local impacts being felt across the district.

Please RSVP to [Name & Email].

Thank you for your continued service to [DISTRICT].

Sincerely,

[Name or organization]

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