How to be a Powerful Advocate for VA Nursing. Teresa Morris, Director Advocacy & Government Relations Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs NOVA

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1 How to be a Powerful Advocate for VA Nursing Teresa Morris, Director Advocacy & Government Relations Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs NOVA

2 Background: Worked on Capitol Hill for over 25 years. Former Legislative Associate for VFW - portfolio included veterans healthcare, women veterans and military healthcare to include Tricare. Promoted to VFW Grassroots Manager - managed database of over 100,000 members and educated veterans/vfw members on how to advocate for veterans issues. Provided testimony to Congress and was VFW Representative to The Military Coalition (TMC) and the VA Women Veterans Committee. Sat on the NOVA Foundation Board for 3 years helping raise money for nurse scholarships.

3 To Advocate: To support, encourage, and promote activism. To wield influence toward a desired outcome. Advocacy is an art and a science.

4 Advocating Teaching Congress about your issues. Convincing them why your issues matter. Relaying it to the local area.

5 \ Rules When Advocating The Hatch Act Hatch Act 5 U.S.C Prohibits federal employees from partisan political activity VA Employees May Not: Use official authority to influence/interfere with election results. Solicit/accept/receive political contributions/donations for partisan political activity/candidate/ political group. Solicit/discourage political activity or people having business pending with VA. Engage in political activity (candidate for partisan political office, activity directed at success/failure of partisan political group) while on duty, in any federal room/building, while wearing uniform/official insignia, using federal owned/leased vehicle.

6 Levels of Influence Federal and State Levels Federal and state advocacy aims to change by appealing to legislators and policy-makers at the national and state levels. It requires political know how and often employs lobbyists as a resource. Individual constituents can contact their legislators independently or as part of an organized effort (i.e., national nursing organizations/ NOVA). Local and Grassroots Levels Grassroots advocacy is a from the ground up approach to raising awareness and initiating action on an issue. It is typically a public effort and may utilize grasstops leaders/nova leadership and members. It is a powerful way to advocate as the direct constituents involved are the ones making their voices heard.

7 How Can VA Nurses Advocate?

8 VA Nurses are Advocates with Expertise Educating legislators and staff about what you provide veterans and your VA facility/community. Relaying state and local VA healthcare concerns to Congress and staff. Being prepared to discuss issues of importance in your local area. All Politics is Local Congress Cares about their Constituents and their District

9 Connecting with Congress

10 115 th Congress by the Numbers U.S. House of Representatives 437 Members 197 Democratic members 240 Republican members 9,095 Staffers

11 115 th Congress by the Numbers U.S. Senate 100 Senators 46 Democratic members 2 Independent members 52 Republican members 6,456 Staffers

12 Finding Your Legislators Both the House and Senate websites provide specific information on Members of Congress by State/District based on your zip code.

13 House and Senate Website s For the House: For the Senate: All Members have personal websites that allow you to find out which committees they sit on and what issues are important to them and their constituents. Sign up to receive your Member s newsletter!

14 VA Committees In Congress VA issues are under the jurisdiction of the House and Senate VA Committees. Get to know the Members and the professional staff that work for the Committees. WEBSITES:

15 When Visiting or Speaking with Your Member Introduce yourself as a VA nurse and a constituent. Provide background information on why you are meeting with them. Discuss the your policy brief/leave behind. Feel free to discuss local issues/issues of importance at your local facility. Members love to hear the local angle. Let them know that you are willing to provide expertise on issues important to healthcare for veterans. Regarding materials, 94% felt a leave-behind 1-2 page issue summary was extremely helpful, and 86% felt with attachments of materials extremely helpful. Only 18% said a five-page or longer research report is helpful.

16 Key Congressional Staff Scheduler Legislative Associate or Aide (portfolio of issues) Legislative Director Chief of Staff

17 Building Relationships with Congressional Staff Find out who handles VA healthcare/veterans issues in the office. Schedule a meeting with them to discuss important issues.

18 Building Relationships with Congressional Staff After your meeting, follow up with an or phone call. Ask them if they have any questions regarding the issues you discussed. This is critical to becoming the person they reach out to for questions about research and other healthcare issues.

19 How to Discuss Your Issues Importance of what you DO at VA = Healthcare Dollars. VA Nursing/Healthcare in your State = Priorities. What Congress should know about local issues.

20 Getting to Know the Issues: What do you need to do? Prepare an outline for issues that you want to discuss. Bring NOVA s policy handout to distribute. Be willing to answer questions and/or respond back to the Member of Congress or staff on issues they may bring up. Ask questions and tell them something they may not know about VA in your area!

21 Getting to Know the Issues: What do you need to do? Be up to date on timely healthcare and VA nursing issues in your area and around the country. Are there any specific issues of interest to your Member? Remember to check Your Representative and Senator s website for committee standing and areas of interest he/she may have.

22 Scheduling a Meeting with Your Member At Home Find contact information for the district office. Send an to the scheduler letting them know that you are a constituent, a VA nurse at Facility/Hospital and would like to make an appointment to see the Member of Congress. The majority of Chiefs of Staff (64%) prefer to meet with a constituent affiliated with an organization versus 7% who prefer to meet with a Washington representative (lobbyist), while 29% had no preference.

23 Scheduling a Meeting with Your Member At Home In your , make sure that you tell them what you would like to discuss (healthcare issues, staffing, Choice. If possible, send backup information.

24 Being A Strong Advocate Being an advocate allows you to be a voice for your community, your VA and your profession. Having a voice in the legislative arena is critical as Congress debates budgets and issues that will affect all of us! Ask them how you can help.

25 NOVA Members Can Discuss NOVA Legislative Priorities Goals Find many links and other critical information on the NOVA website:

26 QUESTIONS??