Protecting Your Profession Through Advocacy

Transcription

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2 Protecting Your Profession Through Advocacy

3 Speaker Information James Morford, Principal Partner, Morford Drulis Associates Michael K. Drulis, Principal Partner, Morford Drulis Associates Gregory A. Mayers, Policy & Communications, Morford Drulis Associates

4 Speaker Information James Morford, Principal Partner, Morford Drulis Associates Monmouth University; AA, Political Science; BS, Secondary Education & History Public school teacher and later Associate Director for Government Relations for NJ Education Association 35 years as a registered lobbyist Served as Vice President & chief lobbyist for the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director of Chemical Industry Council of NJ and of NJ SEED. President and Chief Lobbyist for NJ Food Council. Part time instructor, Rutgers University Founder and Co-Chairman of Health Care Payers Coalition of NJ and founder of Health Care Quality Institute of NJ

5 Speaker Information Michael K. Drulis, Principal Partner, Morford Drulis Associates Graduate of Rutgers University, B.A., political science and history Experiences as a Senior Manager in Government as a Public Information Officer and Communication Executive in the private and non-profit sector for issues management for numerous clients at the state and federal level as well as building grassroots campaigns to raise support for client issues.

6 Speaker Information Gregory A. Mayers, Policy & Communications, Morford Drulis Associates Graduated Cum Luade, Rider University, B.A. political science and global studies Legislative Office experience in policy development and constituency relations specializing in Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and SSI for multiple levels of government Seasoned lobbying in assisting clients in issue management and development

7 Getting to Know You Do you vote: Once every 4 years? Every Year at General Election? Party Primary Elections? School Board Elections?

8 Getting to Know You Have you ever served in elective public office?

9 Getting to Know You Have you ever had experience in lobbying as a registered lobbyist?

10 Getting to Know You or as a citizen lobbyist?

11 Getting to Know You Have you ever met with an elected official to discuss an issue of interest to you?

12 Survey Views on Advocacy (aka Lobbying) A brief survey about your views on advocacy For Questions 1-5 indicated your view as being: Strongly Agree (SA)/ Agree (A)/ Disagree (D)/ Strongly Disagree (SD) No Opinion (NO)

13 SA A D SD NO 1. The decision makers who represent me at all levels of government are knowledgeable enough to make good decisions on their own.

14 SA A D SD NO 1. The decision makers who represent me at all levels of government are knowledgeable enough to make good decisions on their own. 2. Citizens should be allowed to petition their elected officials in various ways to make their positions known.

15 SA A D SD 1. The decision makers who represent me at all levels of government are knowledgeable enough to make good decisions on their own. 2. Citizens should be allowed to petition their elected officials in various ways to make their positions known. 3. Lobbying enriches the policymaking process by organizing information and resources. NO

16 SA A D SD NO 1. The decision makers who represent me at all levels of government are knowledgeable enough to make good decisions on their own. 2. Citizens should be allowed to petition their elected officials in various ways to make their positions known. 3. Lobbying enriches the policymaking process by organizing information and resources. 4. Lobbying distorts policymaking by injecting money and special interest politics into the process.

17 SA A D SD NO 1. The decision makers who represent me at all levels of government are knowledgeable enough to make good decisions on their own. 2. Citizens should be allowed to petition their elected officials in various ways to make their positions known. 3. Lobbying enriches the policymaking process by organizing information and resources. 4. Lobbying distorts policymaking by injecting money and special interest politics into the process. 5. Lobbying is an effective way to promote the interests of citizens.

18 What is lobbying? Simply put, lobbying is advocacy of a point of view, either by groups or individuals. What we call lobbying is protected by the US Constitution

19 WHAT MY FRIENDS THINK I DO

20 WHAT MY PARENTS THINK I DO

21 WHAT THE OTHER SIDE SAYS I DO

22 WHAT SOCIETY THINKS I DO

23 WHAT I THINK I DO

24 WHAT I ACTUALLY DO

25 United States Constitution st 1 Amendment "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech...or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances." (emphasis added)

26 Advocacy/Lobbying vs Bribery A briber wants to circumvent the law. An Advocate/lobbyist wants to change or shape law. Con artists, swindlers and cheaters pay bribes. Wise people advocate because:

27 The Dark Side of Lobbying Is there a difference between lobbying and bribery?

28 Advocacy/Lobbying vs Bribery Advocates/Lobbyists get better, more lasting results while only rarely do they land behind bars.

29 Although Some Lobbyists Have, From Time to Time, Been Seen In Front of Bars

30 Advocacy/lobbying: It s as American as Apple Pie A fundamental part of American political system Provides essential research and analysis Provides information to produced informed decisions Informed decisions lead to better public policy Advocacy provides two-way communications between legislators and impacted constituents

31 What Do Politicians Want? 1. To be assured of reelection ( safe districts) 2. Campaign contributions (constant cash flow) 3. Blocks of voters they can count on (dependents)

32 What Do Legislators Need? 1. Information from trusted and reliable sources to help them make informed decisions 2. Friends and supporters in their home districts

33 What Can AAMD Offer? AAMD does NOT have size AAMD does NOT have a Political Action Committee from which to make campaign contributions AAMD HAS EXPERTISE!

34 Putting That EXPERTISE To Work What have the members told us?

35 AAMD Government Relations Survey 97% of members polled believe Medical Dosimetrists act as the hub in the radiation oncology department among professionals providing radiological treatment

36 AAMD Government Relations Survey 84% of members agree that tasks associated with Medical Dosimetry be provided only by a Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD)

37 AAMD Government Relations Survey 96% of members surveyed agree dosimetry would benefit from legislators and rule-makers knowing that Medical Dosimetrists, as unique professionals, serve a vital role in the planning and delivery of radiation treatment

38 AAMD Government Relations Survey The top public policy issues of importance to Medical Dosimetrists, ranked in order of priority are: Professional certification and licensure requirements Healthcare regulations affecting Medical Dosimetry Continuing education requirements Medical reimbursement State regulation of Medical Dosimetry

39 Civics 101

40 HOW DOES A BILL BECOME A LAW IDEA DRAFTED INTO LEGISLATION BILL IS INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OR SUBCOMMITTEE MARK UP/CHANGES VOTED ON BY THE FULL COMMITTEE HOUSE READING, DEBATE AND AMENDED HOUSE FULL VOTE SAME PROCESS HAPPENS IN THE SENATE

41 HOW DOES A BILL BECOME A LAW BILLS ARE VOTED OUT OF BOTH HOUSES JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FROM BOTH HOUSES MERGE INTO ONE BILL GOES TO THE PRESIDENT FOR VETO OR SIGNATURE

42 Opportunities to Influence Before a bill is introduced When it is introduced When it is assigned to a committee Prior to and at committee hearings Prior to floor vote As the process is repeated in 2nd House With President's/Governor s Staff

43 More Opportunities to Influence One-on-one meetings in district offices Staff Counts! Organization meetings Party mtgs., Trade Assoc. Fund raising events Town Hall meetings Social events sports events Special events, i.e. Washington DC Briefings and visits to Congressional Offices

44 Visiting Members of Congress on The Hill

45 Other Opportunities to Meet Your Representatives At Home during District Work Periods (aka recess)

46 Other Opportunities to Meet Your Representatives At Town Hall Meetings

47 Other Opportunities to Meet Your Representatives At Government events, Party Functions, Trade Organizations, Political and Charity Fund Raising Events and

48 Other Opportunities to Meet Your Representatives Working in a Campaign

49 Professional Associations Are Advocates

50 Building A Grassroots Network What Is Grassroots Advocacy?

51 Building A Grassroots Network Why Does AAMD Need It? Policy will be made with our with out you that affects you Your voice needs to be heard No one knows your profession and skill set better than YOU You wouldn t want another profession speaking for You

52 Building A Grassroots Network How Do We Do It? Legislators want to know their work benefits their voting constituents Link Practitioners in the field to policy leaders of influence Does your Legislator sit on a committee of influence over your profession?

53 Contact YOUR Legislator When You Write About A Bill:

54 When You Write About A Bill Fundamental "Do's" When Writing to Legislators Address your legislator properly. Specifically ask for support of your position. Write legibly (handwritten letters are fine if they are readable). Be brief, to the point and discuss only one issue in each letter. Try to identify a bill by number and title. Know the facts. Do not try to influence anyone before you have a thorough understanding of the issue. If possible, give an example of how legislation will affect you personally.

55 When You Write About A Bill Fundamental "Do's" of Writing Your Legislator Include your address and sign your name legibly. If you have any family, business, or political connection in regard to an issue, explain it. Ask the legislator to state his or her position in a reply. Write to your legislators when they do something of which you approve. Often, legislators hear only from individuals and organizations who are against something. It is refreshing for a legislator to receive something positive instead of the more usual negatives. For Members of Congress, send letters to district or state offices; fax or to DC offices.

56 When You Write About A Bill Fundamental "DON TS" Do not send a postcard. Do not sign and send a form letter make it personal. Do not begin on a righteous note ("As a citizen and a taxpayer" and/or "As a concerned citizen"). Legislators understand you pay taxes and you are concerned. Do not apologize for writing and taking their time. If your letter is short and expresses an opinion, they are happy to give it consideration. Do not be rude or threatening. Do not send a copy of your letter to other legislators; write each one individually.

57 Technology in Political Campaigns

58 Technology has changed campaigning

59 Moving Forward With AAMD Chris Gainer, Immediate Past President and Chair of the AAMD Advocacy Committee AAMD Advocacy Committee Purpose Building Contact Teams

60 The Session Ends The Work Begins With You! Join the Advocacy Network Sign medicaldosimetry.org

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