Champions for Your Cause

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Public Relations/Public Education Council
presents
PR/PE Cookbook

• Champions for Your Cause
• (and their Effects!)

Recipe Courtesy of Amy Olszewski Government
Liaison Gift of Life Michigan
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The Benefit

• Why do you need a champion?
• Persuade
• Publicize
• Protect

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Who?

• Elected Officials
• Representatives
• Senators
• Governor
• Secretary of State (in Michigan, elected)
• Appointed Officials/Employees
• Director of Community Health
• Civil Servants

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Steps to Success
Identify your Passionate Supporters Be the
Expert Make Repeated Contacts Recognize and Say
Thank You
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Case in PointPassionate Supporter

• In September 2001, Rep. Gleason received a
  kidney transplant when his sister, Rita
  Blanchard, donated a kidney to him. He is a
  spokesperson for the Gift of Life, and is active
  in promoting organ donations.
• State Representative
• Gleasons official website

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Passionate Supporters

• They will introduce legislation with or without
  your input. You cannot allow them to work in a
  vacuum.
• Support their staff and share research and/or
  written testimony prior to the hearing.
• Danger
• If you work with elected champions,
• remain bipartisan.

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Case in PointEstablish Yourself as Expert

• Do Research
• Submit written testimony

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Being the Expert

• If you do the research, you control what and how
  information is interpreted.
• Produce what is needed on time and make it
  professional. You will be contacted for future
  projects.
• Do not mislead in your
  testimony.
• Always be accurate concise.

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Case in PointRepeated Contacts
Donate Life Month gift This card was attached to
a Donate Life water bottle given this year to all
legislators.
Invite Legislators to Special Events Healthy
Kiosk event brings staff from Congresswoman
Kilpatricks office
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Repeated Contacts

• Reach out to every legislator and important
  official (elected or appointed) at least once a
  quarter.
• Simple to add them to your newsletter list
  invites to special events, incl. Donate Life
  Month activities.
• Do not discount staff.
• They are your biggest allies.

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Case in PointRecognition
Met at an organ and tissue donation awards
ceremony and these two powers forged a lasting
commitment to the cause.
Senator Laura Toy and Detroit television news
personality Diana Lewis
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Recognition

• After a bill passes, goes through a tough hearing
  or is introduced, send one thank you to the
  official, another to the staff.
• The nice guy does not finish last.
  Award effort.
• Dont forget the Governor who
• signed the bill!

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Case Study - NMDAD
Links to online registry Dr. Wisdoms own
program at end of email
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How we did it

• Sent email request through appropriate channels.
  We sent a mockup of the email with the request.
• Follow-up via phone.
• Do your research. Who knows her personally and
  can get this done for you? We found a champion.
• Despite long history of lack of support from
  Department of Community Health, Dr. Wisdom agrees
  to send email!

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Results One Day Action

• Over 100 direct entries to the online registry
  with 30 actionable registrations (who directly
  indicated they were responding to the email)
• August 1, 2006 most active day of the month
  with 12,503 hits
• Largest Benefit Support of the second-highest
  ranking MDCH employee communicated directly to
  the staff.
• Helps future efforts with MDCH.

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UAGA and Champions

• Yes the newly revised UAGA is going to come to
  your state in the next year.
• Get ready now by reaching out to your State
  Commissioners who may also be Representatives
  and Senators.
• Next month a plan to enact the new UAGA in your
  state.

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Amy O Recommends
Includes worksheets
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• Amy Olszewski
• Government Liaison
• Gift of Life Michigan
• aolszewski_at_giftoflifemichigan.org
• 800 482 4881 x 147