Advocating for your profession at Physical Therapy Legislative Day: A how-to guide

What is Legislative Day/Lobby Day Gathering of physical therapy professionals and students at the Virginia General Assembly to engage legislators in issues that affect practitioners and consumers of physical therapy. A day to say “thanks” for supporting the profession of physical therapy.

Look at these happy, smiling people! They’ve done it!

You can, too! Anyone who wants to advocate for the profession of physical therapy should participate in this event. Participation involves a few hours in Richmond at the General Assembly Building at 9th and Broad Streets.

What happens during Legislative Day? You will be given an assignment of several legislators to meet along with a team of volunteers. Every effort is made to ensure that you will visit your own Senator and Delegate. If it’s your first time, we will have an experienced volunteer on your team. We will rally and coordinate in one of the General Assembly rooms and get energized by a guest speaker prior to your visits.

What do I say? Talking points relevant to any current issues will be distributed. Past issues and bills have been term protection and direct access, for example. Emphasize physical therapists as the practitioners of choice for movement, function, and health. If you are speaking to a Senator or Delegate from your district, please let them know you are a constituent. They want to hear from you! Please thank legislators for their service and the time they are giving to support physical therapy.

More Resources: To learn more about the Virginia General Assembly: http://legis.state.va.us/ To find your legislator: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/ main?openform To sign up for state legislative alerts: http://www.vpta.org/secure/legislative/a- team.cfm

Questions? We need your help and are here to support you. Contact Amber Walter, State Legislative Chair, for any questions related to this event: awalter@shelteringarms.com

See you there!