I have had several volunteers say that Advocacy ideas are hard to come by... What ideas do you have?  Here are a few that other volunteers have shared:

 

 

·          Have Celebration on the Hill Ambassadors(s) & Survivors impacted by advocacy/gov’t relations attend Relay For Life events and speak – Have COTH ambassadors speak about their firsthand experience with Advocacy and its impact on them  Have survivor speak or talk about Advocacy/Government relations and the critical role everyone plays in securing the passage of cancer related legislation

·          Have a designated Advocacy/Government Relations Relay For Life Team – This team can focus on leading the advocacy activities at your event, reducing the stress on your committee!  Have them hand out flyers, publicize the next Celebration on The Hill, work with Celebration on the Hill Ambassadors who are at the event, etc.

·          Have Advocacy Volunteers equipped!! – Give them scripts, buttons, pens, clipboards, copies of Advocacy brochures, Action Alerts, T-shirt and Uncle Sam’s hat “canvas” people at Relay to sign up for various advocacy activities during and after the Relay.

·          Set up an Advocacy/Government Relations Booth – Do this in conjunction with the Cancer Control Shop/Booth and/or Registration Table.

·          Utilize “Picture A Cure” with Relayers – Have them create and send their message to elected officials at the local, state and federal level about the need for support and passage of specific cancer related needs and legislation by setting it up next to the registration table.

·          Advocacy/Government Relations Public Service Announcements – Do this before during and after the Relay For Life Event.  Utilize an Advocacy Theme throughout the Relay For Life Event by having games and public service announcements throughout Relay

·          Set up a call booth to call State and Federal legislators – This will allow your Relayers to voice their stories and concerns on cancer and cancer related issues

·          ACS Legislative Alerts - Provide and distribute ACS Legislative Alerts to participants

·          State and Federal Lobby Day Sign-Up - Encourage and sign participants up to participate in State and Federal Lobby Days

·          Advocacy Computer Stations - Set up Advocacy computer station for Relayers to send emails to elected officials at the local, state and federal levels

·          Encourage participation of elected officials – Include those at the local, state and federal level by inviting and recognizing those in attendance to the Relay For Life event

·          Team Captain’s Meeting Advocacy/Gov’t Relations Presentation - Have at a minimum ONE Advocacy/Government Relations Presentation at Team Captain’s Meetings

·          Recruit Grass Roots Volunteers – utilize the ACS Action Network through each team captain assisting in the sign up of each team member

·          Hang Advocacy/Government Relations Banners and Legislative Messages around the walking area of the Relay

 

Ramesh Moorthy

webmaster, http://www.acsrelay.org

Volunteer, Baltimore, MD