Equality in Action: Powering the People Who Power the Movement Inside HRC’s 2026 Volunteer Leadership Weekend & Award Ceremony

This weekend is more than a meeting. It is where strategy meets purpose. As the 2026 midterms come into focus, Equality in Action remains a critical investment in the volunteer infrastructure that sets HRC apart.

This year’s convening marked the official launch of HRC’s 2026 midterm election campaign, “Let’s Get Free.” Throughout the weekend, programming focused on giving volunteer leaders the tools and strategic clarity needed to turn engagement into impact.

A Volunteer Program Like No Other

HRC’s volunteer program is unlike any other in the movement. HRC relies on a national, integrated structure anchored by 31 Steering Committees and more than 600 volunteer leaders working year-round to raise funds, mobilize voters, cultivate relationships and advance HRC’s mission. HRC’s volunteer leadership also includes its 130‑person Board of Governors and National Board of Directors. 

Collectively, this volunteer infrastructure helps fund the fight, builds people power and serves as HRC’s most trusted set of ambassadors nationwide. The work these leaders do directly impacts HRC’s political power, making Equality in Action one of the most important weekends of the year.

Kicking Off with Action on Capitol Hill

The weekend began on Thursday, April 23, with advocacy grounded in urgency. Volunteer leaders joined staff and advocates for the launch of HRC’s 100 Days of HealthCare initiative, rallying in front of HRC’s offices in Washington, D.C. The campaign focuses on lobbying, training and mobilizing around key policy priorities, including advancing the PrEP Access and Coverage Act, fighting for the Transgender Healthcare Access Act, supporting federal HIV funding and defeating anti‑LGBTQ+ riders in appropriations bills.

Thursday morning’s momentum carried directly into one of HRC’s annual Lobby Days, where a record‑breaking 200+ advocates took to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staff. Side by side, volunteer leaders used the skills they’ve honed through HRC to tell their stories, share expertise and advocate for policies that affirm dignity, safety and freedom for LGBTQ+ people nationwide.

Training the Leaders Who Lead Year round

Friday and Saturday featured two full days of board meetings, leadership development and strategic training designed to prepare volunteers for the work ahead. Across tailored training tracks, participants deepened their organizing skills, explored best practices in fundraising and volunteer recruitment and strengthened leadership and team-building skills.

Each steering committee community arrived having committed to annual goals that guide their work throughout the year. These goals focus on what matters most: building people power, raising the resources needed to fund the fight and ensuring HRC is prepared to meet the demands of the 2026 midterm elections and beyond. Training sessions ensured volunteers left with the skills and resources needed to achieve these goals.

The weekend also marked the in‑person convening of HRC’s BIPOC Leadership Institute, following four months of virtual engagement. This cohort of 29 BIPOC volunteer leader gathered to deepen leadership grounded in equity, storytelling and collective power. The Institute centered lived experience and strengthened pathways to leadership within HRC’s Steering Committees. 

In addition, volunteer leaders engaged across HRC’s three affinity groups: AANHPI & Proud, B.L.A.C.K. Council, and HRSí. Each group hosted dine-around gatherings among members and allies, and over lunchtime working sessions focused on HRC’s midterm strategy. Together, these groups committed to key targets in candidate fundraising and voter mobilization.

Volunteer leaders also heard from nationally recognized thought leaders and movement builders. Speakers included Maurice Mitchell, National Director of the Working Families Party; Erika Frantz, Kettering Foundation Fellow; and Sharon Davies, President and CEO of the Kettering Foundation, who spoke on democracy, civic engagement and movement resilience. Leaders also heard from JoAnna Mendoza, HRC‑endorsed congressional candidate for Arizona’s 6th District, grounding conversations in the stakes of the upcoming election. 

These outside voices were joined by HRC senior leadership, including President Kelley Robinson and National Press Secretary Brandon Wolf, who spoke candidly about the work ahead and the essential role volunteers will play in shaping what comes next.

A Clear Call to Action

From start to finish, Equality in Action delivered a clear and compelling charge. Between now and the midterm elections, HRC’s volunteer leaders are focused on three core priorities:

To meet this moment, volunteer leaders will collectively work to recruit 829 donors at the Federal Club level or higher, nearly 20,000 new members at 125+ Pride festivals and 620 new volunteers nationwide. They will also help raise nearly $24.1 million to fuel the election, generate $275,000 for HRC‑endorsed candidates and directly contact 140,000 voters.

This roadmap reflects both the scale of the challenge ahead and the confidence HRC places in its volunteers.

Celebrating Leadership: The Annual Leadership Award Ceremony

The weekend included one of HRC’s most meaningful traditions: the Annual Volunteer Leadership Award Ceremony. The celebration brings volunteer leaders together each year to thank the work powering HRC nationwide. The awards honor the dedication, creativity and volunteer-led impact powering the organization year-round.

This year, HRC recognized volunteer leaders nationwide for their excellence and achievement toward their FY26 goals. The program centered volunteer voices and was emceed by Jodie Patterson, an at-large member of the Board of Directors. Between award presentations, volunteers heard stories of innovation, persistence and success from their peers, reminding everyone in the room that HRC’s impact is driven locally, fueled by leadership on the ground.

The program concluded with the presentation of HRC’s Steering Committee of the Year Award, honoring the Western & Central New York Steering Committee for their outstanding leadership and results over the past year.

Fuel for the Year Ahead

By the time volunteers returned home, Equality in Action had once again done what it does best: sparked momentum for the year ahead. It is a reminder that while elections and policy battles may capture headlines, progress is built by committed people showing up, leading boldly and working together. Volunteer leaders left Washington energized, aligned and ready to bring what they learned back to their communities and put it into action.

This is the power of HRC’s volunteer leadership, and as 2026 unfolds, that power is firmly in motion.