AFTU kick off event- November 3rd, 2010

Please join Advocates for the Underserved (AFTU) to hear Dr. Ben Danielson speak about being an advocate, talking to law and policy makers and working on issues that affect the underserved communities. Dr. Danielson speaks passionately about the fact that the health of our patients depends not only on what happens inside the clinic, but also on the society in which our patients live. He works to challenge the status quo and helped OBCC establish a medical-legal partnership to help patients who have legal problems that are also affecting their health status.
Nov. 3rd, 5:30 pm, HSB - T739

Food and drinks will be served!!!!!

Dr. Danielson is a dynamic speaker who will get you excited and eager to get out there and do something! That’s where AFTU comes in. We will be holding our first planning meeting for Lobby Day (President’s Day 2011) later on in November. We’ll discuss our plans for going down to Olympia and speaking with legislators about issues that WE are all passionate about.

Ben Danielson is Medical Director for Odessa Brown Children's Clinic where he is also a practicing primary care pediatrician. 2nd years, he spoke to ourr class during ethics about vaccines. 1st years, if you haven't heard him speak before don't miss your chance now!

Thank you!

Welcome to AFTU

Hi All!

Thank you for visiting our blog spot. While a lot of this page is a TON of information on Lobby Day, we will also be trying to update it with the happenings and goings-on of AFTU. Right now we are working on getting a speaker for Fall quarter, so keep your eyes open for announcements!

If you would like more information or would like to get involved with planning Lobby Day please email Glenna (glennacm@uw.edu) or Lizzi (lizclark@uw.edu).

Thanks so much!

Lobby Day 2010 Writeup

Introduction and Purpose

• increase civic engagement among med students
• learn more about the legislative process
• inform our legislators about our priorities
• basic health and gau budget cuts, fiscal crisis - encourage more investment in public health

Methods and Materials

Initial planning

• We decided on President's Day because students usually have that day off.  It is a popular Lobby Day so appointments with legislators will need to be scheduled far in advance
• In 2010, the lobby day happened to coincide with the planned day for a large rally by progressive groups with many similar goals as we had 
• We first did some initial recruiting and asked for RSVPs for the event to get a see which districts people were coming from (see google doc)  https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG9iak9FdFliZVk1b2xvbGRMSzZoVFE6MA#gid=0

Coming up with a legislative agenda and schedule

• Healthy WA Coalition
• Fuse Washington
• Washington CAN
• SeattleTimes and other newspapers on reporting
• Nancy Amidei advice - we scheduled a morning talk with a research analyst for the health committee in the morning through nancy
• Nancy also gave an advocacy training in the morning

Contacting and setting up meetings with legislators

• We had a script for interaction (name, district, important issue, how many students represented) (see google doc) that was loosely followed to schedule appointments
• we weren't able to get actual appts with legislators because they were on the floor that day - we were able to get appts with their LAs (legislative assistants).

Funding
MSA provided funding for breakfast and gas - do this through online application


Recruitment

• e-mails to these mailing lists including: med school, aftu; also class announcements
• Two years ago, we talked with Ian Maki about giving SPARX points for attendance.  We didn't get to it this past year
• A cool poster was made and posted at various locations in health sciences including med lounge and classrooms
• Class announcements were made

Handouts for attendees

• Agenda and schedule
• Issues sheet and handouts to give to legislators

Logistics/Day of

• Drivers volunteered and were reimbursed
• Food and coffee via donations were gotten for breakfast - we also initially met at a cafeteria
• 4-5 'tracks' were created based off legislative district and each track was led by someone involved in the planning process
• Parking was free on streets surrounding the Capitol

Follow Up

• Thank you card written for Nancy Amidei
• Thank you e-mails to Sen Ed Murrary and his staff
• Survey sent to participants to ask for anonymous feedback on what could be improved
• Writing this report

Results
What went well

• morning trainings by Nancy and research analyst were well liked and informative
• Rally was invigorating
• Great to have stop by talk with Ed Murray
• Tracks worked very well to make sure every appt scheduled was attended

 Conclusion / Recommendations for Next Time
What could be improved

•  provide more education about issues beforehand to participants
• planning earlier to get more contact time with the legislators
• ask for and advertise availability of sparx points earlier in the process
• print off lists of representatives and senators for folks (this was brought by nancy amidei this time)

RSVP for Health Professional Student and Ally Lobby Day 2010!

What: Health Professional Student's Lobby Day and Civic Engagement Workshop
When: Monday February 15th (President's Day)
Where: Olympia
RSVP @ http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dG9iak9FdFliZVk1b2xvbGRMSzZoVFE6MA

Cosponsors: Advocates for the Underserved (AFTU) and the American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
Breakfast and transportation will be provided.
 
Every year, AFTU and AMSA take a trip down to Olympia and meet with our state legislators to discuss issues important to us and our future patients. Come to voice your concerns, share your experiences and participate in the political process!