Arthritis Foundation New Ambassador Orientation Call in: 877-278-3632 Participant Code: 0215332#

1. Arthritis Foundation New Ambassador OrientationCall in: 877-278-3632Participant Code: 0215332# An orientation to the program that drives our most involved advocates to action

2. Why Engage Grassroots Advocacy? The key to success in changing government policies and funding is through grassroots advocacy. • Legislators focus on issues important to their constituents • Personal relationships make a difference The Ambassador program is an on-the-ground grassroots effort. Ambassadors don’t just email; they make the personal connection!

3. Advocacy within the Arthritis Foundation E-Advocates (55,000) • Receive email alerts from State/Regional Advocacy Staff and the National Public Policy and Advocacy Office. • Lend voices to collective strength via emails and letters to elected representatives. Arthritis Ambassadors (750) • Participate in a bi monthly webinar call with National Public Policy staff. • Engage in one-on-one contact with elected officials and their staff. National Public Policy & Regional Advocacy Staff • Set AF national, state and regional public policy priorities and objectives. • Contact with Members of Congress and their staff.

4. Role of the Arthritis Ambassador • Serves as a liaison for the Arthritis Foundation to their Congressional district and state. • Educates community leaders and elected officials about the impact of arthritis. • Participates in awareness and education-raising events and opportunities. • Engages State-Advocacy on a regional case-by-case basis

5. Sample Ambassador Assignments • Calling Members of Congress and/or their staff concerning AF legislative priorities. • Promoting AF public policy priorities at local chapter events such as the Arthritis Walk, Jingle Bell Run, etc. • Attending local Town Hall Meetings sponsored by a Member of Congress. • Inviting and encouraging Members of Congress to participate in AF local events.

6. Knowing what to do… The current Ambassador Assignment is always available online. http://www.arthritis.org/ambassador_assignment.php Complete your Ambassador Profile to become familiar with your Members of Congress and how to contact them. http://www.arthritis.org/sub-assignment.php Action Alert = Make a call, not an email. Never use CapWiz to send a message.

7. Reporting In Your Ambassador Assignment • After completing their assignment, Ambassadors must always report their activity in to http://www.soapboxconsulting.com/feedback.php • This allows the Advocacy Staff to follow up on important information and track your progress. Our top performing Ambassadors receive excellent opportunities for development and recognition, including travel awards, to attend Advocacy Summits in Washington, D.C.

8. 2012 Ambassador Briefing Schedule The bi-monthly advocacy briefing webinars for Arthritis Ambassadors will take place at 3PM (EST or EDT) on the first Wednesday of every other month. The dates for 2012 are as follows: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Wednesday, April 4, 2012 Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 Wednesday, October 3, 2012 Wednesday, December 5, 2012

9. Advocacy Priorities 112th Congress • Access to Care – Research – Prevention – Awareness • H.R. 4209-Patients’ Access to Treatment Act • Arthritis research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD) • Access to Pediatric Rheumatologists • Prevention funding at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) • Congressional Arthritis Caucus http://www.arthritis.org/advocacy.php

10. Christopher’s Information… • Bill Introduced -> Committee ->Subcommittee • Members are called “important” to us when it’s someone who serves on a relevant committee or subcommittee early on in the process • Still… each bill has to pass each chamber, so every Member is IMPORTANT! • Repetition is important. It takes 7 votes to get something through, so it’s easy to anticipate that you’ll need to call at least 7 times. Be willing to keep talking! • Speaking with one voice: Grassroots advocacy only works when everyone shares the same message at the same time.