2/4/09: Nursing Activism Primer-- Legislation, Lobbying/ Contacting Elected Officials

Originally posted by -jt
<Do you know what time it starts?>

The info is on the flier that cn be downloaded at http://www.aflcio.org/issuespolitics...rses_flier.pdf

Rally and press conference at 1:45pm on the West side of the Capitol Building. Meetings with US Senators and Congressional Representatives in their offices figure to begin around 2:30pm - if the nurse, legislative, and consumer advocate speakers at the Rally podium finish up on time, that is. Call your elected official as soon as possible, tell him youre coming & make your appointment for sometime after 2:30.

Tip:
To help you prepare what you want to say in your legislative meeting about safe staffing, theres " crib notes" available.
just download the"talking points" brief from http://www.aflcio.org/issuespolitics...policy/nurses/

And make copies to leave with each of the officials you meet with -adding your name, address and phone number.

Have a great time.

Originally posted by funnygirl_rn
[b]I still continue to write to various representatives & I also get to speak to some influential people at Special Olympics fund-raisers.

But, I honestly believe that we need to stand as a large group, in order to "fix" or change the situation. Sometimes, a newspaper ad, an organized march (like the docs do), going on National Public Radio, and/or television. Voices need to be heard..not swept under the rug!!

Until we actively make our VOICES heard, we will continue to work in the environment that we do....because we allow it.

Originally posted by Jenny P
Thanks, Karen, for posting this info here. I'm glad to see that people are interested in this; I wish we could light fires under every nurse to get involved by writing a letter or talking to their legislators AND voting in such a way it helps nurses and health care in this country. Each one of us CAN make a difference if we are committed to do so.