New Ambassador Orientation - Arthritis Foundation · Program • Arthritis Ambassadors are volunteers committed ... • Would help with student loans for pediatric ... or Firefox

New Ambassador Orientation Laura Keivel Manager, Grassroots Advocacy Steven Schultz Legislative Analyst

Arthritis Foundation Advocacy • Advocacy and Access is part of the Home

Office based in Washington, DC • State, federal, and regulatory initiatives

Ambassador Program Contact

• Laura Keivel, Grassroots Advocacy Manager

• Advocacy Leadership Team Member

Please contact us anytime! 202-887-2913 or [email protected]

Mission of the Ambassador Program

• Arthritis Ambassadors are volunteers committed to taking part in the democratic process and serve as liaisons between the Arthritis Foundation and their Congressional District’s Representative and state representatives. Each Ambassador’s efforts are crucial to the success of the Arthritis Foundation. Each month, Ambassadors are asked to work with the Foundation’s Advocacy and Access staff on special assignments to advance the Foundation's advocacy efforts and to share their story with important decision makers.

What is the Ambassador Program? • Webinars every other month with an

update, speakers, and a monthly activity • Variety of tasks that build towards creating a

relationship with your legislators • Tasks can take less than 15 minutes • Strong community of advocates • Ambassadors are encouraged to attend the

annual Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC

Why Become an Ambassador? “The Ambassador program gives people an opportunity to channel passion into action and make a difference on the state and federal levels for everyone with arthritis.” – Margo Deihl, Fredericksburg, Virginia

“You can actually make a difference! It’s a learning experience and brings you out of your box and expands your horizon. It’s not just about helping the Arthritis Foundation, but your family, too, and finding a cure for everyone with arthritis.” – Keith Moschitta, Atoka, Tennessee

Why is Advocacy Scary?

Why would they listen to me? Why should they care?

What could they possibly do for me? Advocacy is intimidating!

Advocacy is Not Scary!

• They have families too and some are affected by arthritis

• Legislators are people too – often state legislators are part time and have careers • Their job is to listen to you

Your Role in Advocacy is Important

• Your voice is important – only you can tell your story and you know how arthritis impacts your life

• If we don’t talk about arthritis with Congress and in the states, who will?

• Many other organizations are out there – we need to be there

• YOU are the experts

Government 101

Who Remembers High School Government?

• 435 Representatives and 100 Senators • You have 1 Representative and 2 Senators • Bills are introduced in the House and Senate and

referred to committees • Bills must make it through hearings and committee

meetings • Bills passed by the House and Senate are sent to the President for signature or veto

Terminology When communicating with your

Members of Congress, be sure to use the correct titles

• Representatives are in the House of Representatives

• Senators are in the Senate • All are Members of Congress

Find your Representative • Go to

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ • In the “Enter your ZIP code” box add your 5

digit ZIP Code

What if you have more than one possible Representative?

• Enter your FULL address – no P.O. Boxes!

Finding Your Senators You have two Senators per state no matter where you live. Go to: www.senate.gov

Our Work

Research Program at the Department of Defense

H.R. 1859 and S. 2782 Ensuring Children’s Access to Specialty

Care Act • Would help with student loans for pediatric

rheumatologists • Funding comes from Public Health Service Act

Congressional Arthritis Caucus • Arthritis Caucus Hill Briefings:

• Back Pain and Ankylosing Spondylitis • Arthritis 101 • Access to Care • Pediatric rheumatologists

• A quarterly newsletter to inform members of Congress on major issues

• 143 members of the Congressional Arthritis Caucus!

State Issues All states are different but we work on: • Biosimilar substitution • Formulary transparency • Narrow provider networks • Out-of-pocket medication costs • Prior authorization • Step therapy

Not all issues are in all states! All legislatures have different

session lengths

Advocacy Summit March 6-7, 2017

Speakers, workshops, and presentations to empower advocates on state and federal issues to inspire them to advocate all year

long • Kids’ Summit where kids learn how to

advocate for themselves

Tools to Help You

Advocacy Toolkit

http://www.arthritis.org/advocate/join-the-movement/advocate-toolkit/advocacy-toolkit.php

Monthly Advocate Webinar Series

May 18 3:00 PM EST

Ambassador Newsletter

Responsibilities of an Ambassador

Responsibilities of an Ambassador • Commit to being a liaison between the

Arthritis Foundation and your state and federal legislators

• Be actively engaged in the program by completing tasks, attending local Arthritis Foundation events, and recruiting more Arthritis Foundation Advocates

Being an Ambassador requires dedication and commitment!

How to be an Effective Ambassador • Communicate with your elected

officials – letter writing, social media, phone calls, attend town halls and tele-town halls, district office visits

• Continually update staff and tell your story!

• Tell us the work you are doing • Arthritis is misunderstood, so forming

relationships clarifies the issues

Telling Your Story • Use our Advocacy Toolkit as a guide • Be honest – how is your life being

affected by this particular policy? • When x happens, what is the result for

your family? • Be memorable • Be succinct

Ambassador Awards • The Ambassador year is October –

October • Platinum Ambassadors complete all

activities, raise $500 (give or get), and complete 4 bonus activities

• Honored at the annual Advocacy Summit

Any Questions?

Please hit #6 to unmute your line

Reporting Your Activities • The Reporting Center is important so

Arthritis Foundation staff know about interactions and where to follow up or target our advocacy efforts in Washington, DC and in the states

• Reporting is also important for Ambassador awards at the end of the year

www.arthritis.org/advocatereport Advocate ID: Email Address

Passcode: Last Name

Reporting Your Activities

Reporting Your Activities

Reporting Your Activities

• We recommend using Google Chrome or Firefox when reporting in

• Please be sure to hit ‘completed’ or the activity will still be ‘active’

• If you cannot find the activity, be sure to scroll over at the bottom – they may be on the last page

• Please contact Laura Keivel for any assistance

Reporting Your Activities

2016 Ambassador Briefing Schedule

Wednesday, May 11 Wednesday, July 20

Wednesday, September 7 Wednesday, November 2

Always at 3:00 PM Eastern

Questions? We are here to help! • Any questions • Any materials • We are here to be a resource for you!

[email protected] or 202-887-2913

#6 to unmute your line

Thank you for being a part of the Ambassador program!