The Importance of Grassroots Advocacy Protecting Your Profession Through Political Involvement

Political Influence Model…The numbers tell the truth Congressional District- 600,000 people Congressional District- 600,000 people 70% of District don ’ t vote! 70% of District don ’ t vote! 26% underage, 25% not registered, 19% registered don ’ t vote 26% underage, 25% not registered, 19% registered don ’ t vote Remaining 30%, 14% vote for loser Remaining 30%, 14% vote for loser Only 16% vote for winning legislator Only 16% vote for winning legislator Who influences the election & the legislator? Leaders who get others to vote, to contribute, Who influences the election & the legislator? Leaders who get others to vote, to contribute, Those who contribute, volunteer, speak up, Advocate! Those who contribute, volunteer, speak up, Advocate!

Michael E. Dunn & Associates, Inc.  2002 Average Congressional District - 600,000 people This model can apply to lawmakers at the federal, state and local level

Who ’ s Politically Influential? Who ’ s Politically Influential? Those at the very top of the pyramid Those at the very top of the pyramid Those who contribute, help, volunteer, speak up, ADVOCATE Those who contribute, help, volunteer, speak up, ADVOCATE Especially,Those with a long term relationship Especially,Those with a long term relationship Dentistry ’ s story must be told by Dentists! Dentistry ’ s story must be told by Dentists! Through DENT-IL-PAC & ADPAC Through DENT-IL-PAC & ADPAC

Grassroots Advocacy within the ADA Grassroots Advocacy within the ADA ADPAC- education of dentists & spouses ADPAC- education of dentists & spouses Grassroots Action Teams for all Federal Legislators Grassroots Action Teams for all Federal Legislators State PACs-education of dentists & spouses, Grassroots Teams for all State Legislators State PACs-education of dentists & spouses, Grassroots Teams for all State Legislators A seamless coordinated State-Federal Dental Advocacy system A seamless coordinated State-Federal Dental Advocacy system

Seamless State-Federal Advocacy system Our Dental Advocacy does not stop at our state border Our Dental Advocacy does not stop at our state border More than half of our legislative and regulatory challenges are Federal More than half of our legislative and regulatory challenges are Federal Membership in DENT-IL-PAC means membership in our federal PAC, ADPAC Membership in DENT-IL-PAC means membership in our federal PAC, ADPAC

Dentistry ’ s Messengers Dentistry ’ s Messengers Outstanding Professional State and Washington Office staff Outstanding Professional State and Washington Office staff Well informed & trained volunteer Dentists who are RESPECTED as healthcare providers in the forefront of preventive care Well informed & trained volunteer Dentists who are RESPECTED as healthcare providers in the forefront of preventive care

Grassroots Advocacy Grassroots Advocacy In politics there are only players & victims In politics there are only players & victims In Washington, D.C. and in Springfield, when legislation becomes law, someone wins and someone loses In Washington, D.C. and in Springfield, when legislation becomes law, someone wins and someone loses

ADVACACY, WHAT IT ISN’T : ADVACACY, WHAT IT ISN’T : BUYING VOTES? BUYING VOTES? DIRTY? DIRTY? HARD? HARD? SOMEONE ELSE DOES IT! SOMEONE ELSE DOES IT!

DEMOCRACY DEMOCRACY REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TWO YEAR TERMS-REPS TWO YEAR TERMS-REPS FUND RAISING - CONTINUOUS FUND RAISING - CONTINUOUS ACCESS ACCESS CAN’T BUY VOTES CAN’T BUY VOTES TELL OUR STORY TELL OUR STORY MAY SEEM MESSY - BEST WE HAVE! MAY SEEM MESSY - BEST WE HAVE!

THIS IS HOW OUR REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WORKS: LOBBYISTS LOBBYISTS FUNDING FUNDING PUBLIC GOOD PUBLIC GOOD SAFETY SAFETY PREVENTION PREVENTION IMAGE IMAGE REELECTION REELECTION MOM & APPLE PIE MOM & APPLE PIE REPUTATION REPUTATION

ILLINOIS LAWS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SENATE SENATE GOVERNOR GOVERNOR JCAR (Joint Commission on Administrative Rules) - how state laws implemented- rules and regulations JCAR (Joint Commission on Administrative Rules) - how state laws implemented- rules and regulations BOARD OF DENTISTRY- Dental Practice Act: LICENSURE,PERMITS, RULES & REGULATIONS BOARD OF DENTISTRY- Dental Practice Act: LICENSURE,PERMITS, RULES & REGULATIONS

ELECTED OFFICIALS ELECTED OFFICIALS VERY SMART, BUT……… VERY SMART, BUT……… DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING! DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING! NEED INFORMATION NEED INFORMATION NEED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT HEALTHCARE NEED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT HEALTHCARE DEPEND ON US TO TELL DENTISTRY’S STORY DEPEND ON US TO TELL DENTISTRY’S STORY NEED SUPPORT NEED SUPPORT

DENTISTRY’S STORY DENTISTRY’S STORY MANY OTHERS WANT TO TELL “OUR STORY” MANY OTHERS WANT TO TELL “OUR STORY” LOBBYISTS LOBBYISTS THIRD PARTY PAYERS THIRD PARTY PAYERS PUBLIC POLICY THINK TANKS-( KELLOG FOUNDATION) PUBLIC POLICY THINK TANKS-( KELLOG FOUNDATION) NEWS MEDIA NEWS MEDIA ATTORNEYS ATTORNEYS STATE DEPT. PROFESSIONAL REGULATION STATE DEPT. PROFESSIONAL REGULATION POLITICIANS POLITICIANS PUBLIC HEALTH PUBLIC HEALTH EPA/ GOV’T AGENCIES EPA/ GOV’T AGENCIES

What Does Dental Advocacy Lack? More Funding to better support our Legislative friends adequately More Funding to better support our Legislative friends adequately Majority of Dentists as State PAC members Majority of Dentists as State PAC members Increased Funding of state and federal Advocacy Increased Funding of state and federal Advocacy Increased membership in DENT-IL-PAC Increased membership in DENT-IL-PAC

ACTION TEAMS ACTION TEAMS One for every legislator One for every legislator Action Team Leader Action Team Leader Carry our message Carry our message Attend fund raisers Attend fund raisers Host Home Fund Raisers Host Home Fund Raisers Foster ongoing relationship Foster ongoing relationship

What Can You Do? What Can You Do? Join Dent-IL- PAC / Governor ’ s Club Join Dent-IL- PAC / Governor ’ s Club Help your district Legislator of choice Help your district Legislator of choice Attend Fund Raisers Attend Fund Raisers Work with that Action Team Leader Work with that Action Team Leader Become an Action Team Member Become an Action Team Member Help increase DENT-IL-PAC membership Help increase DENT-IL-PAC membership in your component / branch in your component / branch

PAC Membership Drives PAC Membership Drives Be informed - form a group of leaders Be informed - form a group of leaders Prepare yourselves for the tough questions and comments - have appropriate answers, Prepare yourselves for the tough questions and comments - have appropriate answers, answer complacency, cynicism answer complacency, cynicism Always be enthusiastic and ready Always be enthusiastic and ready Invite speakers, legislators & staff Invite speakers, legislators & staff Have Fun Have Fun Lead Lead

LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP It starts from the TOP down It starts from the TOP down Convince the component leadership of the value of Dental Advocacy Convince the component leadership of the value of Dental Advocacy 100% membership of the executive committee 100% membership of the executive committee All work together to increase general membership All work together to increase general membership

The next Election? The next legislative issue? No time like the present…

DENTAL ADVOCACY ISSUES PROPOSED CUTS TO DENTAL MEDICAID PROPOSED CUTS TO DENTAL MEDICAID CUTS TO DENTAL EDUCATION CUTS TO DENTAL EDUCATION STUDENT DEBT STUDENT DEBT HYGIENE INDEPENDENT PRACTICE HYGIENE INDEPENDENT PRACTICE etc……. etc…….

DENTISTRY DENTISTRY Highly regarded healthcare profession Highly regarded healthcare profession Independence, private practice Independence, private practice History of professional success History of professional success Highly regulated, state, federal Highly regulated, state, federal Political control Political control Politics Politics Political competition Political competition

ORGANIZED DENTISTRY ORGANIZED DENTISTRY “No man is an island” “No man is an island” Professional Organizations Professional Organizations Benefits Benefits Responsibilities Responsibilities Microcosm of democracy Microcosm of democracy Essential for Success Essential for Success

ADA ADA ISDS ISDS Component / Branch Component / Branch (vertical membership) (vertical membership) Specialty Organizations Specialty Organizations Professional Organizations Professional Organizations

ADA ADA The premier professional health organization- REPRESENTS OVER 70%OF DENTISTS, tripartite, ( by contrast-the AMA-only 22% membership) The premier professional health organization- REPRESENTS OVER 70%OF DENTISTS, tripartite, ( by contrast-the AMA-only 22% membership) Very well organized for your success Very well organized for your success Highly Respected- its positions/opinions matter Highly Respected- its positions/opinions matter Benefits: CDT codes, insurance, associate-ships, practice start up, office design, PPO contract review, buy-outs, discounts, credit cards, product evaluation, research, ADVOCACY for you and your patients! Benefits: CDT codes, insurance, associate-ships, practice start up, office design, PPO contract review, buy-outs, discounts, credit cards, product evaluation, research, ADVOCACY for you and your patients!

ISDS ISDS Premier state dental society represents over 70% of Illinois dentists-one voice! Premier state dental society represents over 70% of Illinois dentists-one voice! “ Bridge to Healthy Smiles” 2009-INCREASE DENTAL MEDICAID FUNDING, CLINICS, STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT ALTERNATIVES “ Bridge to Healthy Smiles” 2009-INCREASE DENTAL MEDICAID FUNDING, CLINICS, STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT ALTERNATIVES MOM- 1 st 2010 ADDRESS UNDERSERVED MOM- 1 st 2010 ADDRESS UNDERSERVED Dent-IL-PAC challenges always! Dent-IL-PAC challenges always! State level advocacy >legislation State level advocacy >legislation

CONTINUED SUCCESS? CONTINUED SUCCESS? DENTISTRY - HIGHLY RESPECTED PROFESSION DENTISTRY - HIGHLY RESPECTED PROFESSION ITS INFLUENCE FAR BEYOND MERE CONTRIBUTIONS ITS INFLUENCE FAR BEYOND MERE CONTRIBUTIONS DENTISTRY’S POSITIONS IMPORTANT DENTISTRY’S POSITIONS IMPORTANT ADVOCATE FOR OUR PATIENTS & CITIZEN’S COMMON GOOD ONLY ADVOCATE FOR OUR PATIENTS & CITIZEN’S COMMON GOOD ONLY EVIDENCE BASED POSITIONS EVIDENCE BASED POSITIONS HISTORY OF SUCCESS HISTORY OF SUCCESS SUPPORT OF BOARD OF DENTISTRY, ADA, ISDS SUPPORT OF BOARD OF DENTISTRY, ADA, ISDS

TO HAVE INFLUENCE, WE MUST ADVOCATE: TO HAVE INFLUENCE, WE MUST ADVOCATE: FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD FOR HEALTHCARE PUBLIC POLICY FOR HEALTHCARE PUBLIC POLICY FOR SMALL BUSINESS PUBLIC POLICY FOR SMALL BUSINESS PUBLIC POLICY FOR TAX POLICY FOR TAX POLICY FOR A MORE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR A MORE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD TO TELL OUR STORY TO TELL OUR STORY TO HAVE A CHANCE FOR SUCCESS TO HAVE A CHANCE FOR SUCCESS

INFLUENCE INFLUENCE The political influence model applies to all areas in life. The political influence model applies to all areas in life. Dental component / Branch Dental component / Branch State Society State Society Specialty Specialty Community Community Faith Faith To have influence, volunteer To have influence, volunteer

ADVOCACY ADVOCACY IN YOUR DISTRICT/ YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN YOUR DISTRICT/ YOUR REPRESENTATIVE ADA / STATE SOCIETY ACTION TEAMS ADA / STATE SOCIETY ACTION TEAMS COVER ALL REPS / SENATORS COVER ALL REPS / SENATORS RELATIONSHIP RESOURCE/ PARTNER RELATIONSHIP RESOURCE/ PARTNER MORE THAN FUNDING MORE THAN FUNDING OUR ISSUES OUR ISSUES TALKING POINTS TALKING POINTS OUR “ASK” OUR “ASK”

ADVOCACY BEYOND PARTY ADVOCACY BEYOND PARTY INCOMBENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE THERE LIKELY TO BE REELCTED INCOMBENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE THERE LIKELY TO BE REELCTED NEITHER PARTY HAS A LOCK ON OFFICE NEITHER PARTY HAS A LOCK ON OFFICE NEITHER PARTY HAS A LOCK ON EFFECTIVENESS NEITHER PARTY HAS A LOCK ON EFFECTIVENESS NO REP IS A PERFECT FIT NO REP IS A PERFECT FIT WE CAN PARTNER AND INFLUENCE ANYWAY WE CAN PARTNER AND INFLUENCE ANYWAY

CONTACT DENTIST ADVOCACY PLAN YOUR DISTRICT REP/ SENATOR YOUR DISTRICT REP/ SENATOR LONG TERM COMMITMENT LONG TERM COMMITMENT ATTEND FUND RAISERS ATTEND FUND RAISERS VOLUNTEERING AND FUNDING TOO VOLUNTEERING AND FUNDING TOO ENHANCED INFLUENCE ENHANCED INFLUENCE “ASK” IS NOT ALWAYS A VOTE “ASK” IS NOT ALWAYS A VOTE CAP-WHIZ : ADA-ISDS online contact media CAP-WHIZ : ADA-ISDS online contact media

ADVOCACY STATE & FEDERAL State and federal laws both effect : State and federal laws both effect : Dentistry Dentistry Healthcare Healthcare Small businesses Small businesses Taxes Taxes Insurance Insurance OSHA OSHA Workman’s compensation Workman’s compensation On and on………. On and on……….

ADPAC & DENT-IL-PAC’S ADVOCACY FUNDING PLAN APOLITICAL: BOTH PARTYS APOLITICAL: BOTH PARTYS INCOMBENTS INCOMBENTS INFLUENCE INFLUENCE COMMITTEES COMMITTEES LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP

VOLUNTEERS: VOLUNTEERS: CONTRIBUTE TIME CONTRIBUTE TIME DENTAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE, NEW PAC MEMBERS DENTAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE, NEW PAC MEMBERS LEGISLATIVE / CGA COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE / CGA COMMITTEES CONTACT DENTISTS CONTACT DENTISTS DENTAL SOCIETY PAC DIRECTORS DENTAL SOCIETY PAC DIRECTORS LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP MORE BALANCED LIFE MORE BALANCED LIFE

VOLUNTEERING REWARDS Do IMPORTANT WORK Do IMPORTANT WORK PRACTICE REWARDS PRACTICE REWARDS SUCCESS > ADDED SUCCESS SUCCESS > ADDED SUCCESS PERSONAL REWARDS PERSONAL REWARDS WIDER HORIZONS WIDER HORIZONS MORE BALANCED LIFE MORE BALANCED LIFE MORE INFLUENTIAL LIFE MORE INFLUENTIAL LIFE MORE INTERESTING LIFE MORE INTERESTING LIFE

VOLUNTEERING REWARDS VOLUNTEERING REWARDS Establish your practice Establish your practice Establish yourself in your community Establish yourself in your community Be a leader Be a leader Meet people Meet people Satisfaction Satisfaction Example Example

WE ALL CAN’T BE VOLUNTEERS BUT BUT WE ALL CAN CONTRIBUTE WE ALL CAN CONTRIBUTE

CONTRIBUTE CONTRIBUTE PAC MEMBERSHIP PAC MEMBERSHIP MONEY MONEY TIME TIME EXAMPLE EXAMPLE ENERGY ENERGY

WHAT DO WE GET? WHAT DO WE GET? LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION-ONGOING LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION-ONGOING INFLUENCE INFLUENCE VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERS PROFESSIONAL STAFF PROFESSIONAL STAFF PROFESSIONAL LOBBYISTS PROFESSIONAL LOBBYISTS SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES PUBLIC GOOD PROTECTED PUBLIC GOOD PROTECTED PERSONAL REWARDS PERSONAL REWARDS A BETTER FUTURE A BETTER FUTURE MORE BALANCED LIFE MORE BALANCED LIFE

DENT-IL-PAC ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS DENT-IL-PAC-$125. DENT-IL-PAC-$125. Governor's Club-$250. Governor's Club-$250. PRESIDENT’S CLUB-$500. PRESIDENT’S CLUB-$500. individual contribution to DENT-IL-PAC, $49 of individual contribution will be forwarded to ADPAC individual contribution to DENT-IL-PAC, $49 of individual contribution will be forwarded to ADPAC

ADPAC STUDENT MEMBERSHIP $5 - ADPAC Member $ ADPAC Member and Spouse $50 - Capital Club Member $75 - Capital Club Member and Spouse $5 - ADPAC Member $ ADPAC Member and Spouse $50 - Capital Club Member $75 - Capital Club Member and Spouse

ADPAC NEW DENTIST MEMBERSHIP $49 - ADPAC Member $100 - Capital Club Member $150 - Capital Club Member and Spouse $49 - ADPAC Member $100 - Capital Club Member $150 - Capital Club Member and Spouse

ADPAC MEMBERSHIP ADPAC MEMBERSHIP $49 - ADPAC Member $200 - Capital Club Member $300 - Capital Club Member and Spouse $500 - Capital Elite Member $750 - Capital Elite Member and Spouse $49 - ADPAC Member $200 - Capital Club Member $300 - Capital Club Member and Spouse $500 - Capital Elite Member $750 - Capital Elite Member and Spouse

THANK YOU UIC ASDA MUCH SUCCESS THANK YOU UIC ASDA MUCH SUCCESS QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? COMMENTS? PLANS? PLANS?