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American Heart Association You’re the Cure Advocate Training Part 1 Diane Pickles, M+R Strategic Services April 7, 2010

AHA grassroots advocacy: Creating a movement of You’re the Cure advocates

Grassroots vision To create a strong and passionate community of advocates around each issue area in which the AHA is working

Trainings (5 sessions) will cover: Understanding advocacy: what it is and how to do it effectively Communicating persuasively with lawmakers and other key decision makers Telling your personal story You’re the Cure leadership opportunities

What is ADVOCACY? Advocacy is the application of pressure and influence on the people and institutions that have the power to give you what you want.

7 The advocacy journey…

Why must we advocate? Fighting obesity, funding for heart and stroke prevention programs and research, and more… “All politics is local” – we have a LOT of influence as constituents and voters Creating a presence Quantity and quality both matter

You’re the Cure – results oriented advocacy The collective advocacy of the You’re the Cure Network members has added up to millions of dollars in local, state and federal funds, FDA regulation of tobacco, and more.

Key considerations What do you want? Why do you want it? What person or institution has the POWER to give it to you? How will you build credibility with and get access to those POWER brokers in order to influence their decision-making?

How does the AHA select its policy goals? Assessment of priority policy needs related to heart disease and stroke issues Assessment of the opportunities, challenges, and political environment related to priority policies Talking to AHA staff, advocates, and champions.

Overview of the AHA’s current policy goals Funding for heart disease and stroke medical research Tobacco control issues: program funding, increased tobacco taxes, and smoke free public policies Obesity prevention – promoting physical activity and nutrition guidelines Funding for heart disease and stroke prevention programs Ensuring access to care Supporting emergency care issues – AEDs, CPR, etc

How does legislation happen? “Laws are like sausages. It’s better not to see them being made.” - Otto von Bismarck

Debunking the myths

Who has the power to pass policy?

How and where advocates can influence the process… Where? –Everywhere! Advocates can weigh in and influence decision makers at any and every point in the decision making process How? – s, letters, phone calls, visits –Real stories –Quantity and quality

A lesson from Aristotle Three cornerstones of successful persuasion: Logic – what a listener thinks; his/her intellect (science and facts) Emotion – what a listener feels – anger, empathy, sadness (the human toll; real people and real lives; tug on the heartstrings) Character – the listener’s perspectives, personality, and experiences; what is unique about the individual; his/her interests, passions, etc. (why he/she might care)

Stakeholder Target What do we know/can we learn about their constituents? Where does he/she get their news? What issues are they most concerned about? Financial supporters? Organizations & institutions with which they are engaged? Personal history/ family & friends? Education, clubs & affiliations?

What special connections do you have? Do you personally know any key decision-makers in your community? Do you personally know anyone who works in the media? Do you personally know any leaders from the business community? Do you personally know any elected officials? Do you have a close personal relationship with someone else who has these connections?

Possible roles for You’re the Cure advocates Share your personal story with AHA, lawmakers, the media Take action online Take action offline – attend a legislative hearing or lobby day, visit your lawmaker in person, or send a letter to the editor of a local newsletter Host a house party for neighbors and friends Participate as an advocacy volunteer at AHA events like Heart Walks

Possible roles for You’re the Cure advocates Over time, become the “go-to person” on AHA policy issues for elected officials that serve your community During election season, ask candidates their positions on priority AHA policy issues and get them to go on record Are you a scientist? Heart survivor? Medical professional? Share your expertise with lawmakers, the media and other volunteers and persuade them to support AHA policy change

Guest speaker Michaela Gagne, Fall River, MA

You’re the Cure. Questions? Thank you for joining us! Next webinar: April 19, 2010, 7:00p.m. EST