Grassroots Advocacy Meeting

Today I had my first meeting with Monica Billger, Associate Director of Grassroots Advocacy. I’ve been working with her as a student rep through phone conference calls on a panel to create a Toolkit for Advocacy, but this was our first time to meet in person. She explained the current Grassroots Network structure, Legislative Action Center, Action Alerts, and Info Bulletin. The APTA Grassroots network is made up of the Government Affairs Committee, Federal Affairs Liaisons, Key Contacts, and the PTeam.

Government Affairs Committee (GAC) – appointed by APTA Board of Directors (BoD) made up of 5 members and 2 board members to facilitate grassroots involvement and make recommendations to BoD on federal and state government affairs policies, positions, and issues

Federal Affairs Liaisons (FAL) – one member is selected by each APTA Chapter and Section president to serve as link between component and GAC on federal issues (2 yr term)

Key Contact – have a personal relationship with Senators/Representatives in U.S. Congress and work to increase their awareness of issues the face PTs

PTeam – anyone APTA member can sign up to be a member of the PTeam. PTeam receives Action Alerts and Information Bulletins on issues and are asked to contact legislators on particular issues of concern

Monica also taught me about the ways in which the Grassroots Network communicates including Action Alerts, Information Bulletins, PTeam Newsletter, Legislative Action Center, and Patient Action Center.

Action Alert – call to action for PTeam members to contact Member of Congress about an issue

Information Bulletin – update sent to PTeam members on developing legislation impacting PTs and patients as it moves through Congress

PTeam Newsletter – background information of issues impacting PTs sent to PTeam members on a quarterly basis

Legislative Action Center - your quick ticket to becoming an active advocate. Here you can enter your information to find your congressmen, read more about current federal and state legislative issues, and write an email or letter to your congressman expressing your opinions

Patient Action Center – a part of APTA’s consumer website that patients can use to contact Congress

Advocacy Calendar - a new resource that provides information on state legislative sessions, congressional recesses, and includes a monthly advocacy tip