Advocacy at Relay For Life

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Advocacy at Relay For Life
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Why is advocacy important at RELAY FOR LIFE?
Growing our Grassroots Relayers are given a
chance to become American Cancer Society advocacy
volunteers by signing up to receive information
from the new Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).
Advocates have access to regular updates,
opportunities to take action, and information on
how their lawmakers are voting on cancer issues.
Influencing Elected Officials Relay gives
elected officials a special opportunity to see
and hear how cancer impacts families and their
community. We know that elected officials who
experience and are touched by Relay come away
with a stronger commitment to fighting the war on
cancer in the halls of City Hall, the Texas
Capitol or Congress. Power of Diversity The
diversity of Relayers and Relay teams provides a
great opportunity to recruit and involve new and
different partners in the American Cancer
Societys advocacy efforts. Cancer survivors,
volunteers of various ages, ethnicities, and
political affiliations representing churches,
school, businessesall speaking with one voice in
the fight against cancera winning combination!
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Harness the full potential of Relay to make the
American Cancer Society the 1 Grassroots
organization in the U.S.
Recruit new advocacy volunteers at Relay! Relay
Advocacy Chairs are leaders in the fight against
cancerthey recruit and empower new volunteers to
take up the fight. Advocacy volunteers are
critical to the mission of the American Cancer
Society, and Relay is the perfect place to find
them.
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Im a Relay Advocacy Chair. Now what?
Its as easy as 1-2-3.

• Before the Event
• Obtain your 2005 Relay Advocacy kit from your
  American Cancer Society staff partner.
• Participate in a chairman's coaching call for
  tips and guidance on your role. Calls will be
  held during daytime and evening hours
  February-April 2005. Check with your American
  Cancer Society staff partner for dates and times.
• After receiving training, attend a team captains
  meeting or survivorship reception to recruit new
  ACS CAN members. The goal is 20 new recruits per
  Relay.
• Consider inviting an elected official to
  participate in your Relay. Details on how to do
  this can be found in your chairmans guidebook,
  in your Relay Advocacy kit.
• Recruit some helpers to assist with ACS CAN
  membership recruitment and Picture a Cure at the
  event. You will want to get at least two people
  to help.

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• At the Event
• Grab some clipboards and ACS CAN membership forms
  from your Relay Advocacy kit then start moving
  around the tents and other areas and talk to
  people.
• A good opening line is Hello, would you like to
  help fight cancer year-round? Theres an easy
  way to do this by making our lawmakers listen to
  us.
• We can have a big impact on issues like tobacco
  control, clinical trials and funding for cancer
  research by holding lawmakers accountable for
  their votes on cancer issues.
• So Im asking you, Relayer to Relayer, to join me
  in supporting the American Cancer Societys new
  Cancer Action Network.
• It costs only 5 to join. Less than a movie.
  And youll join other Relayers saying we have to
  raise our voices even louder.
• Heres a membership form, and for 5 you can join
  by cash, check or credit card. Can I count on
  you all today?
• Picture a Cure instructions and forms are in
  your Relay Advocacy kit, and this is another fun
  activity for Relayers!

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3. After the eventTHANK YOU for serving as
Advocacy Chair for your Relay. Your time and
work helps save lives!  Need to recruit a few
more ACS CAN members to meet or surpass your goal
of 20? Ask your Event Chair about opportunities
such as the Relay wrap-up party to visit with a
few more folks. After you have finished
recruiting, please give your American Cancer
Society staff partner any leftover materials from
your Relay Advocacy kit.
Your American Cancer Societys Advocacy Work
Helps People in All Texas Communities