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 Action Network. Advocates have access
to regular updates and lots of opportunities to
take action and make a difference in the fight
against cancer. 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
• Make sure youve received your 2004 Relay
  Advocacy kit and banner, available from your
  American Cancer Society staff partner.
• Review the Advocacy Chair Manual (in the 2004
  Relay Advocacy kit) for information on your role,
  involving elected officials in Relay, and a menu
  of advocacy activities to do at your Relay.
• Check with your Relays Logistics Chair to
  ensure space is set aside for advocacy activities
  (a table in the registration area is a good
  idea).
• Now is the time to ask questions! After
  reviewing your Relay Advocacy kit, please contact
  your American Cancer Society staff partner with
  any questions about your role at the event.

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• At the Event
• Time to recruit new advocates!
• Before survivor registration begins, set up the
  advocacy table using the new 2004 Relay Advocacy
  banner and materials in your Relay Advocacy kit.
  The table should be manned during registration,
  and as much as possible throughout the first few
  hours of the event.

Harness the full potential of Relay Recruit
Relayers, especially survivors, for the ACS
Action Network. New advocates will be notified
of advocacy activities going on throughout the
year at the federal, state, and local levels.
(The majority of advocacy activities will be
conducted after Relay is over). Let those
Relayers know youre there! Utilize resources at
Relay to draw attention to signing up for the ACS
Action Network announcements over the public
loudspeaker directing Relayers to the advocacy
area, talking with cancer survivors, and going
from tent to tent with sign-up forms are all
excellent ways to reach folks.
Picture a Cure!
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3. After the eventTHANK YOU for serving as
Advocacy Chair for your Relay. Your time and
work helps save lives! After the Relay, please
give your American Cancer Society staff partner

• Action Network sign-up forms and Picture a Cure
  forms
• Relay Advocacy banner
• Leftover materials from your Relay Advocacy kit

Your American Cancer Societys Advocacy Work
Helps People in All Texas Communities
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American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
(ACS CAN) CHAIRS DOING ACS CAN RECRUITMENT
The Society has recently launched a powerful new
initiative with the creation of a sister
organization, the American Cancer Society Cancer
Action Network (ACS CAN) to further support our
nationwide advocacy efforts.
Before ACS CAN, the Societys lobbying and
electoral activity were restricted and we lacked
the tools necessary to hold elected officials
accountable for their positions on public health.
With ACS CAN, we will be able to expand our
national advocacy efforts as well as the Texas
Divisions state and local public policy
campaigns. For example  
Action Network
With ACS CAN Cannot routinely let you know how
your legislators voted ACS CAN! Cannot directly
educate the public and media as to
which legislators are moving us toward our 2015
goals and those who are standing in the
way ACS CAN! Cannot host debates, town
forums, and other events where candidate views on
issues are tested and discussed ACS CAN! Cannot
issue specific voting guides, candidate
surveys, pledge cards, and candidate forms ACS
CAN!