Infectious Diseases Advocacy Amanda Jezek Senior Vice President Public Policy and Government Relations IDSA April 27, 2017

Agenda What is advocacy? Why advocate? What can I do and how do I do it? What is the impact?

What is Advocacy? Advocacy: any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others. Types of Advocacy Organizing individuals and communities to support your cause Educating legislators/regulators/policymakers Educating the public about the legislative/regulatory process Lobbying

Why Advocate?

Why Advocate? Advocacy seeks to ensure that people are able to: Have their voices heard on issues that are important to them. Defend and safeguard their rights. Have their views and wishes considered when decisions are being made about their lives.

From my community/state What Can I Do? From my home? From my community/state In Washington, DC And beyond

What can I do…from my home? PLF Campaigns Call/Email Policymakers Share Your Story Social Media

Calling/Emailing Congress Individual calls/emails even more powerful than form letters Phone Calls Call the Capitol Switchboard, get connected to your Senators’/Representatives’ offices: 202-224-3121 Identify yourself and city/state you are calling from; note that you are a constituent! Ask to speak to health staffer or speak to the person who answered the phone Prepare brief talking points Emails http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/

What can I do…in my community/state? Congressional townhall events Meetings in congressional district offices Especially during district/state work periods: May 29-June 2; July 31-September 4; September 21-22.

Townhall Tips Be prepared Tell a personal story Use numbers Be respectful Bring a group Talk to staff Leave paper Follow up Persistence

What can I do…in Washington DC? Meeting with Congressional Offices Join a coalition’s “Hill Day”

Tips for meeting with a Member of Congress/Congressional Staff Schedule your meeting in 2-4 weeks in advance, arrive on time, thank the Member or staff person for their time Be/include a constituent Be concise, organized and relevant—practice and bring talking points Do your homework Make local connections Consider a “leave behind” with your relevant messages Have a clear “ask”—what do you want your Member of Congress to do Follow up

Mobilize More Advocates

Extending Your Reach Educate your community Mobilize your contacts Traditional Media Social Media

Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor Check out your paper’s submission guidelines Length Original How to submit Connect to current news/recent stories State your reason for writing at the beginning Limit yourself to one or two key points Express a strong opinion

Impact of Advocacy on Undecided Representatives Source: Congressional Management Foundation 2015 Survey of Congressional Staff asked what advocacy strategies impact their bosses’ decisions.

Straight from the Staffers’ Mouths “My boss rarely acts if there isn’t an impact on his district. Show me a connection as to how your issue directly affects our constituents. Frank discussion about political impact is always appreciated, as are district-specific data.” —House Legislative Assistant “Town hall meetings are probably the most directly impactful for individual constituents to communicate with the Senator and I’m not sure people typically understand the impact that their presence and comments can have.” —Senate Communications Director “In person meetings are the easiest way for staff to understand an issue because it gives us the chance to ask questions, and put a face with the issue.”—House Deputy Chief of Staff Source: Congressional Management Foundation Citizen-Centric Advocacy Report, 2017

Constituents Matter Members of Congress report that “staying in touch with constituents” is the job aspect most critical to their effectiveness. Source: Life in Congress: The Member Perspective, A Joint Research Report by the Congressional Management Foundation and the Society for Human Resource Management, 2013.

Thank You! Questions