HIV Legislative Week in Washington D.C.

HIV Legislative Week in Washington D.C.
Goals
* These slides were adopted from Dose of Change’s “Telling Your Story” presentation
What's in this presentation?
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What's In This Presentation?
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Find Your Members of Congress
Find Your Members of Congress
1
Action Step:
Step 1:
http://capwiz.com/aac/dbq/officials/
Find Your Members of Congress
Find Your Members of Congress
Enter your 9-digit ZIP+4 below and search again
OR
If you don't know your ZIP+4 , enter your address below
and click "Go"
Find Your Members of Congress
Find Your Members of Congress
2012
Organize a Meeting
2
Action Steps:
Organize a Meeting
Action Step:
Organize a Meeting
Sample Meeting Request Email
Organize a Meeting
Action Step:
Organize a Meeting
Action Step:
How to Find Other Advocates in your States
Organize a Meeting
Need a Hand?
Action Steps:
Meet Your Members of Congress
You got this!
Keys to a Successful Legislative Visit
Key Points:
Date
Recipient’s Address
Recipient’s Fax Number
Message with Request
Talking Points:
Meet Your Members of Congress
Keys to a Successful Legislative Visit
Introduction
Give your name,
organizational affiliation,
and be sure to mention that you are a constituent from the Member’s state or district

Don't forget to smile!
Start by saying...
Meet Your Members of Congress
Keys to a Successful Legislative Visit
Your Personal Story
The issues and programs that matter to you and why

How those programs helped you

What would happen to you and others people living with HIV without these programs or if new programs were developed

Tell how your life has been affected by the issue or will be affected by reduced or inadequate services
Start by saying...
Meet Your Members of Congress
Keys to a Successful Legislative Visit
The Issue
Start by saying...
Do not assume that the person with whom you are meeting knows or understands HIV/AIDS issues

Describe the issue clearly and concisely
Don’t get caught speculating or exaggerating; use two or three compelling facts to help make your case

Use our fact sheets for help
The consequences of supporting/not supporting
___________ are...
Start by saying...
Talk about what is working

Talk about where policies and programs can be improved

This is not the place to complain, but to offer viable solutions to problems and challenges
Start by saying...
Meet Your Members of Congress
Ask #1
Recognize and Support Importance of Ryan White CARE Act with ACA Implementation
Click here to access our Ryan White and ACA Fact Sheet
Resources and Support
AIDS UNITED

Regional Organizers

Jessica Terlikowski
Director of Regional Organizing
jterlikowski@aidsunited.org

Charles Stephens
Regional Organizer – South
cstephens@aidsunited.org

Caressa Cameron
Regional Organizer – DC Metro Region
ccameron@aidsunited.org
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF PEOPLE WITH AIDS
(NAPWA)

Matthew Lesieur
Vice President for Public Policy
mlesieur@napwa.org
TREATMENT ACCESS
EXPANSION PROJECT
(TAEP)

Malinda Ellwood, J.D.
Health Law and Policy Fellow
mellwood@law.harvard.edu
Directly ask if you can count on the
Member’s support for:
Find Your Members
of Congress
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*Note: Residents of Washington D.C. and U.S. territories are represented by non-voting delegates
Meet Your Members of Congress
Neat!
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Action Step:
The Broad Consequences
Keys to a Successful Legislative Visit
Meet Your Members of Congress
Meet Your Members of Congress
Keys to a Successful Legislative Visit
The Solution
Meet Your Members of Congress
Keys to a Successful Legislative Visit
The Ask
Directly ask if you can count on the Member’s support for:







Wait and listen for a response
Start by saying...
Picture and link to “Telling your story” worksheet
Follow-Up
4
Action Steps:
Don't Forget to Follow-Up!
At the end of your meeting, tell the Congressperson or staffer that you will follow up with them soon

Send a thank you card to reiterate your asks and show your appreciation

Send them the additional
information they requested and/or
answers to their
questions
Follow-Up
Action Step:
Quick Tips
Remember:
Action Step:
Do your homework

Keep it short, make it personal

If conducting meetings with other
advocates, determine who will cover
which issues an practice delivering them together

Take note of any questions or
requests for additional
information
Meeting Day Checklist
Follow-Up
Action Step:
Dress professionally

Bring copies of fact sheets

Arrive 15 minutes early

Be polite and courteous

Take note of any questions or requests for additional information

Remember to thank the Congressperson or staffer for their time

Tell them you will follow-up
Hi! My name is...
Funding for HIV
programs is...
This policy is important
to me because...
To address these needs, Congress should...
Can I count on you...
Step 2:
Enter your
zip code
You may have to...
Meet Your
Members!
One U.S. Representative
Two U.S. Senators
Find Contact
Information
1) Click on a Member's photo

2) Click on
"Contact" tab
You may have to call
several times

You may meet with the staffers and not the Members themselves
(and that's okay!)
Regional Organizers (ROs) may be able to help you find advocates in your area

We can help you work through the steps, make a plan, and carry it out

However, ROs will not be able to schedule meetings with your members for you due to limited resources

Contact ROs at
organizing@aidsunited.org
Meet Your Members of Congress
Ask #2
Increase funding for HIV/AIDS programs, especially research, prevention, and treatment.
Click here to access our Appropriations for HIV Funding Fact Sheet
Directly ask if you can count on the
Member’s support for:
Meet Your Members of Congress
Ask #3
Support Immigration Policies That Prioritize Healthcare Access
Click here to access the HIV and Immigration Fact Sheet
Directly ask if you can count on the
Member’s support for:
Click here to access the Follow-Up & Thank You sample email!
Organize a
Meeting
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Meet Your Members of Congress
3
Follow-Up
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Empower HIV advocates from the United States to visit their Members of Congress in July or August and tell them how to reach an AIDS-free generation

Maximize the capacity and number of HIV advocates who are able to execute successful legislative visits on their own or with a group of people
A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Influencing Policy on
Capitol Hill
Special Acknowledgments:
James Schneidewind
,
Bill McColl
, &
Tran Doan
for material development
Click here to access the Discussion Forum!
If you need to submit a written request via email or fax, then you can use this sample email
Click here to access it!
Click here to access
the Fact Sheets!
Additional
Resources and Support can be found on the last slide!
Depending on your web browser, you may have to exit the full screen mode in order to access the link
Print at least two copies of the fact sheets and
leave one behind at the Member's office!
NEW LINK!!!!!!
Are you an overachiever? Then include our bonus ask in your meeting!
Click here:
ASKS
ASK 1: Continue support for Ryan White CARE Act with ACA Implementation

ASK 2: Appropriate increased funding for HIV-related programs

ASK 3: Support an immigration bill with a path to citizenship and full healthcare access