Got any dinner plans on Tuesday, May 4? APTA would like you join physical therapy students across the country for a virtually shared meal. And the best part: You don't even have to sweat making that uncomfortable dinner-party small talk, because the conversation will be all about the power of your individual voice in making a difference in federal and state policy.

The APTA Student Assembly Advocacy Project Committee and APTA staff are hosting the National Advocacy Dinner through the student assembly's Facebook page on May 4 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. It’s the virtual way of upholding a tradition of in-person APTA national advocacy dinners held around this time every year by physical therapy programs and student groups. Like just about every event held for the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has required a change in format.

The concept is pretty simple: Get together, (remotely) share a meal, and learn about the top legislative issues affecting the profession and patients and how you can get involved. It's a fun, casual way for PT and PTA students to get a take on APTA's multiple advocacy efforts, but everyone's welcome.

Getting a virtual seat at the virtual table is equally easy: Just show up (although you'll get more of that I'm-going-to-a-dinner-party feeling if you RSVP via Facebook to let us know you'll be attending).

While the pandemic has reduced the number and in-person nature of these gatherings, some regionally based dinners are still taking place — send an email to aptasa.advocacy@gmail.com to find out about any events in your area if you'd prefer a more local experience.