Health Center Board Member Training May 17, 2013 ADVOCACY Are You in the Driver’s Seat? Doug Paterson | Director of State Policy Dana Lawrence | Director of Communications & Grassroots Advocacy www.mpca.net
T wo Types of Organizations Those that allow others to determine the environment in which they operate Those that shape and influence the environment in which they operate LEAD
Advocacy vs. Lobbying ACTING in support of a belief, policy or cause | GIVING your voice on behalf of another | SUPPORTING/RECOMMENDING a policy • Educating policymakers to increase their ADVOCACY awareness of what you do and how policy influences your organization • Asking legislators to take a position LOBBYING on specific legislation
Advocacy is about one thing… Power is NOT measured by: Number of advocates on a list Number of small (or even large) victories we win every now and then
Advocacy is about one thing… Power IS measured by our ability to successfully advance our own agenda and make it unthinkable that any other political or special interest would ever want to take us on.
Goals of Advocacy 1. Build relationships with your elected officials and their staff 2. Build power to influence your elected officials
Keys to Successful Advocacy Elevate advocacy to an organizational/ strategic priority
Keys to Successful Advocacy healthcenterweek.org LINK TO POLICY LOOK UP
Keys to Successful Advocacy
Keys to Successful Advocacy www.mpca.net www.saveourchcs.org
Keys to Successful Advocacy Advocacy is a competitive sport
Keys to Successful Advocacy
Keys to Successful Advocacy Advocacy requires civic engagement
Things That Work Keep advocates up-to-date Make advocacy a standing item on agenda at every board and staff meeting Recognize advocates for their action Establish an ongoing schedule of hosting and meeting with local, state, federal elected officials at your Health Center Involve patients in advocacy
T wo Types of Lobbying DIRECT GRASSROOTS Attempt to Attempt to influence specific influence legislation legislation by by trying to affect communicating the opinions of the your views about general public the legislation with related to specific a legislator, legislation employee of the legislator, or a government official
Prepare What are the facts and What to T ell background about the Elected Officials issue? Who else has interest in Who I am the legislation? What my issue is Why should your elected Why I care official support or oppose Why the legislator the legislation? should care Why is it important to What the legislator your Health Center? should do What facts and merit can you produce to make your case?
Visits Most effective Call elected official’s office and ask for the scheduler T ell the scheduler you are a constituent and would like an appointment to discuss issue xyz Invite the elected official to visit your Health Center
Phone Calls Before you call, prepare – write a brief script of what you plan to say Identify yourself and say you are a constituent Ask if the elected official is available to discuss issue xyz (you will likely be directed to a staff person)
Phone Calls Give brief education about your Health Center Keep your message simple – less than four minutes Politely ask how the message will be delivered to the elected official Ask for a commitment Ask for a response in writing
Emails Be concise and keep it short If using a template, personalize it Address the elected official by name Include a self-explanatory subject line (e.g. SB 349) Mention that you are a constituent State your opinion and request Request a response Include your first and last name, mailing address, phone number, and organization
The Fringe Benefits of Lobbying Helps develop true constituencies Helps develop new leadership Helps educate the public Upholds democracy Those without a voice get heard
Friends of Michigan’s Community Health Centers An independent political action committee representing Michigan Health Centers Collective advocacy and lobbying for high quality, culturally competent, comprehensive health care for all residents Non-partisan Dependent on individual donations from people who believe in the cause Goal - $500 per member Health Center
Prohibited Donations Cash over $20 Anonymous donations Contributions from corporations, joint stock companies, labor organizations, or Indian tribes Donations over certain amounts ◦ $5,000 for Representative ◦ $10,000 for Senator ◦ $10,00 for local or Judicial seat
Three Things You Can Do NOW! 1. Make an organizational commitment to advocacy 2. Support the PAC Friends of Michigan’s CHCs c/o Doug Paterson 2701 Heather Dr. East Lansing, MI 48823 3. Take Action!
Take Action Sign up to be a Health Care Defender at www.mpca.net Contact your state legislators to urge them to support Medicaid expansion/reform to ensure more Michigan residents have health insurance coverage – it will save lives and save money!
Questions or assistance Connect with MPCA on… Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Mic Doug Paterson higanPrimaryCareAssociation Director of State Policy T witter Michigan Primary Care Association https://twitter.com/michpca Office – (517) 827-0463 LinkedIn Cell – (517)614-0705 http://www.linkedin.com/comp dpaterson@mpca.net any/michigan-primary-care- association Dana Lawrence Pinterest http://pinterest.com/michpc a Director of Communications & Grassroots Advocacy YouTube Michigan Primary Care Association http://www.youtube.com/us Office – (517) 381-9440 er/michiganpca Cell – (517) 719-7677 dlawrence@mpca.net @dslaw https://twitter.com/danaslaw
Recommend
More recommend
