Getting Cancer Control Message to Policy Makers ~ Kent Hartwig Advocacy Strategies, LLC October 11,...

Getting Cancer Control Message to Policy Makers

~Kent Hartwig

Advocacy Strategies, LLCOctober 11, 2013

Agenda

• What is Advocacy– Lobbying – Grassroots

• Communication Methods• Focusing the Message• Personal Challenge

Advocacy Strategies, LLC 2

Objectives

• Have a greater understanding of advocacy vs. lobbying• Understand your role as cancer advocates and how to

communicate with policy makers• Have the tools and knowledge to build relationships with

your legislators• Know who your legislators are


Introduction

Advocacy Strategies– Direct lobbying

Partnership for Better Health – Grassroots/Grasstops/media campaign– Prevention, Access, Innovation through

Collaboration!


Cancer is Personal

• In 2012, about 577,190 Americans are expected to die of cancer (6,410 Iowa residents)

• 1,500 people a day (18 Iowans)• Nearly 1 of every 4 deaths• From 2004 to 2008, 16,101 Iowans, on

average, were diagnosed annually (40% died)• In 2007 cancer cost $226.8 billion


Cancer is Personal and Costly!


Hartwig Family 1994


Flash-forward


What’s Missing?


Why?WHY????

A Day 30 Years

My dad died when I was 15 because of cigarettes.

That’s my cancer story…

Have you told yours?

• The ability to make your voice heard• An attempt to persuade or influence members

of a legislative body• Actively working for public policy change• Its legal!


What is Advocacy?

Why is advocacy important for the cancer control message

It advances your cause-• Establishes awareness through education• Increases visibility• Supports the democratic process

The bottom line-• Policies and lives change

• Increased funding for issues• Passage of laws that impact you or your organization

and the people you serve

12Advocacy Strategies, LLC

Getting the Attention of Legislators…


Advocacy

• Direct Advocacy or Direct Advocacy or ““LobbyingLobbying””

• Grassroots AdvocacyGrassroots Advocacy

• Media Media


Remember: What you can NOT do

• Use your position as a volunteer or a member of a 501(c)3 or a government employee to endorse or oppose any candidate for elective office at any level of governance

• Use your position to engage in any form of electioneering

• Engage in advocacy or lobbying with taxpayer dollars or while being paid with taxpayer dollars


What you CAN you do?

501(c)3’s can lobby and advocate for funding and policy issues within certain expenditure limits. 501(c)4’s have no limits.•Fundraise to pay for legislative lobbying and Grassroots Activities

If concerned about non-profit status•Engage your elected official on your own time outside of your position•Educate and engage policymakers on general principles not specific pieces of legislation.•Work with legislators and administrators on policy approaches and implementation•Provide research and consequences of inaction


Lobbying


What is it: Lobbying is a form of advocacy with the intention of influencing decisions made by legislators and officials in the government by individuals, other legislators, constituents, or advocacy groups.

Who is it: A person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest or a member of a lobby. Governments often define and regulate organized lobbying groups that have become influential.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislators

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constituent_(politics)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy_groups

Grassroots Advocates

• Building Relationships with policy makers the public through your advocates

• How do you engage these targets?– Share a personal story– Be passionate about your issue– Speak with compassion – Communicate with them again & again & again…– Let them know you are the expert


What you want from your advocates…

• Be a PART of IT• Sign up to be actively involved– Send letters, emails, faxes or call your elected

officials (build relationships)– Attend the Advocacy Summit/Lobby Days (meet

with your elected officials)


Educating the Public

• Get community leaders (KOLs) to support your issue

• Recruit the general public to support the cause

• Speak at any community setting/event to get the word out

• Keep them informed through newsletters and an active social media campaign


SUCCESS


The KEY to being a successful advocate for any organization is to

Communicate and Build Relationships

When you do…

YOU become the TRUSTED Expert

Engage and Educate the Media

• Educate and inform on your issue ALL the time

• Invite them to meetings, events, and support groups

• You become the EXPERT and the go to person


Ways to Engage the Media

• Submit letters to the editor• Talk to reporters about the issues, ask for a news story• Submit news releases about your issues and activities• Ask to visit with the Editorial Board about your issues or

submit memos to the ED Board• Remember: People and Personal Stories SELL the media• Don’t forget to let your staff know what you are up to,

they can always help


Remember…


• Legislation comes from real or perceived problems

• Do your Homework• Learn all you can about your legislators

• Stay current on their position on issues• Know your legislators interests and committee

assignments

Most Effective Methods of Getting Policy Maker’s Attention

1. Face to Face Individual Visit2. Poll of the District3. Face to Face Group Visit4. Telephone Call5. Personal Letter6. Resolution Passed by an Organization7. Petition8. News Report9. Form Letter


How to Communicate with policy makers

DO• Introduce yourself• Know your issue• Specify the particular bill or

legislation of concern• Bring supporting materials• Express your opinion• Be brief and concise• Ask for their support• Thank you and follow up

DON’T• Confront or threaten• Behave arrogantly• Overwhelm people• Misinform anyone• Confuse issues• Ignore opportunities


My Challenge to YOU!!!!

• Identify your legislators and local officials• Contact them– Build a trusted relationship… – Talk with them about issues you cared about…

Then ask to them to support your issue!


QUESTIONS??????????????????

THANK YOU!

Getting Cancer Control Message to Policy Makers ~ Kent Hartwig Advocacy Strategies, LLC October 11,...

Documents

Transcript of Getting Cancer Control Message to Policy Makers ~ Kent Hartwig Advocacy Strategies, LLC October 11,...