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
- 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)
