PMB2 - Advocacy 101: Hosting an Effective Legislative Meeting with Members of Congress & Staff

Session Description: Engaging advocates within the current political landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for health centers, Primary Care Associations (PCAs) & Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs). On one hand, there is growing involvement among advocates who are eager to voice their concerns and priorities with decision makers. Concurrently, health centers and other partners are juggling staff turnover, competing responsibilities, and uncertainty about the most effective messaging in a challenging political environment. The goal of this interactive session is to build upon the commitment of health center advocates, while simultaneously outlining best practices to help maximize meaningful engagement with elected officials during P&I Hill visits and beyond. This session is geared toward individuals who are new to engaging with elected officials or want a refresher to sharpen their skills.

NACHC’s Grassroots Advocacy team will provide a basic overview of common advocacy topics, and outline what to expect during meetings with elected officials and their staff. Attendees will view a role-play conversation with a PCA and CHC acting as the health center and Hill staff or member of Congress, followed by crafting talking points that align their personal stories with a specific policy priority/ask. The session will conclude with outlining strategies and tools for building continued engagement with elected officials beyond P&I. While NACHC’s Grassroots Advocacy team will lead facilitation, we will also identify representatives from the PCA/HCCN and health center levels to incorporate meaningful insights from state and local perspectives throughout the session.