Advocacya grass roots effort

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Advocacy-a grass roots effort

• Age Disabilities Odyssey August 2009
• Jennifer Kreps
• Carol Mayer

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LSS- Who we are

• Largest Non-profit HS organization in MN
• Locations throughout the state
• Support 1100 staff
• Support 400 individuals

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Why

• Our Mission and Vision
• Mission Lutheran Social Service of MN
  expresses the love of Christ for all people
  through service that inspires hope, changes
  lives and builds community.
• Vision That all people have the opportunity to
  live and work in community with dignity,
  safety, and hope.

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Why

• One summer in the village, the people in the
  town gathered for a picnic. As they leisurely
  shared food and conversation, someone noticed a
  baby in the river, struggling and crying. The
  baby was going to drown!
• Someone rushed to save the baby . Then they
  noticed another screaming baby in the river, and
  they pulled that baby out. Soon, more babies
  were seen drowning in the river, and the
  townspeople were pulling them out as fast as they
  could.

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Why

• It took great effort, and they began to
  organize their activities in order to save the
  babies as they came down the river.
• As everyone else was busy in the rescue efforts
  to save the babies, two of the townspeople
  started to run away along the shore of the river.
  
• Where are you going? shouted one of the
  rescuers. We need you here to help us save
  these babies!
• we are going upstream to stop whoever is
  throwing them in!

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What

• Definitions of Advocacy
• Being a voice
• Standing up for others
• The Public Promise
• LSS model
• Advocacy Committee
• Regional Teams
• Actions Alerts

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Who

• Individuals supported
• Direct Support Professionals
• Families, Guardians, other stakeholders
• Community members
• Clergy

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When and Where

• Local communities (city councils, neighborhood
  associations, Mayor, etc.)
• State Government (Representatives, Senators,
  Governor)
• Legislative Cycle
• Federal Government (Representatives, Senators)

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How

• LSS model
• Advocacy 101
• Elections 101
• Continual Staff Training
• Action Opportunities
• Town Hall Meetings / Candidate Forums
• Phone Call / Letter Writing Campaigns
• Site Visits
• Office Visits / Days at the Capital

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How

• Telling Your Story
• Rules of Engagement
• Be Brief
• Be Real
• Frame The Issue
• Make an ask

Who are you? What happened to you? What is it
like now? What can your legislator do about
it? What is your ask?
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Questions?Thank you!Jennifer.kreps_at_lssmn.orgc
arol.mayer_at_lssmn.org