Advocacy Toolkit

Activism

Activism on behalf of IR

Grassroots advocacy is the process of communicating with SIR members and asking them to contact their local, state or federal officials about a certain issue.

In contrast to direct lobbying, grassroots advocacy is citizen-based activism. Grassroots advocacy fosters the connection between constituents and those entrusted to represent their views in Washington, D.C.

SIR applies many different methods to advocate for IR, but grassroots advocacy allows SIR members to communicate concerns directly to their elected officials. Lawmakers want to be responsive to their constituents who can vote them in or out of office, so direct communication between our members and their representatives helps drive attention to our issues.

This Advocacy Toolkit contains information to help you make connections and communicate messages that resonate with other stakeholders and officials. When relevant healthcare issues arise, SIR will provide briefings materials and communication points tailored to the specific legislative or regulatory issue being considered.

SIR members who take part in the Voices for IR program will communicate with elected officials about SIR’s position on varying legislative and regulatory issues through verbal and written means.

Voices for IR volunteers will also work to cultivate relationships with elected officials as well as recruit and train their colleagues in their regional area to support grassroots activities. They are encouraged to advocate in person both in their Congressional district and in Washington, D.C., on behalf of IR issues.

Join Voices for IR and participate in the advocacy process!

Composition of Congress

Congress is composed of two chambers: the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. Members of the House of Representatives serve 2-year terms.
The Senate is made up of 100 members. Every state has two Senators who each serve a 6-year term.

Who represents you

You can find out who your U.S. Senators and Representatives are via their respective websites below.

U.S. Senate
www.senate.gov/senators
U.S. House of Representatives
www.house.gov/representatives

How laws are made

Laws begin as ideas. First, a House Representative or Senator sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. The bill then moves to be voted on by the full Senate or House of Representatives. Ideally, a companion bill has also been introduced, passed by committee and voted on by the full House or Senate.

Finally, a conference committee made up of House and Senate members works out any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for final approval. The Government Printing Office prints the revised bill in a process called enrolling. The president has 10 days to sign or veto the enrolled bill.

Communicating with elected officials

Personal calls, letters and emails can make a difference, especially if they can credibly describe the home-district impact of an issue the legislator is preparing to address.

When writing

A letter or email should be no longer than one page.
Address the original letter to the representative’s Capitol Hill office, but also send a copy to the representative’s local office to ensure the receipt of your message.
Include your address and telephone number to identify yourself as a constituent and facilitate follow-up from congressional staff.

When calling

Use the member’s website to find the direct number for your member of Congress.
It is unlikely you will talk to your representative directly. Instead, inquire who in his or her office handles healthcare policy.
If you encounter voicemail, provide a brief message consistent with information that SIR provides.
Make sure you also identify yourself as a constituent and leave your contact information.
Take a moment before calling to crystallize your thoughts and exercise brevity.
Be firm but polite to get past the receptionist and ensure the receipt of your message.

SIR's grassroots advocacy

In many instances you will not contact elected officials without an idea of what to say or write about. SIR supports a platform to help communicate on the issues important to IR. The platform provides the messaging needed to send a letter or make a phone call about an issue. All you need to do is supply your contact information and any details you feel are necessary. This ensures your letter or call gets to the right elected officials along with the proper message.

More details

Interacting with elected officials

Personal one-on-one contact is the most eﬀective method of reaching your representative. You may make an appointment to visit his or her oﬃce in the district or on Capitol Hill. The member of Congress and their staffs are eager to learn about the home-district impact of a policy.

Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Because of packed schedules, meeting often occurs with the health policy staff.

Meeting in the district

Members’ calendars allow ample time throughout the year to work in home states and districts. In addition to meeting in the member’s office, you could invite your legislator to visit your hospital or facility to see interventional radiology in action.

Holding a successful meeting

Prepare for your visit by contacting SIR and reviewing the latest happenings in local and federal legislative and regulatory issues.
Plan to arrive for the meeting ahead of schedule. You can use the time to review your strategy, especially if you are part of a group meeting. Call ahead if you are running late.
Introduce yourself to the legislator, including where you are from, and explain the issues that prompted your visit or briefly outline your recommendation on a piece of legislation.
Explain the issues in simple terms and minimize the use of medical terminology. Frame your discussion around local needs or situations. Provide your legislator or staff with a simple, leave-behind document that summarizes the information you presented.
Thank the legislator or staff for their time and any future efforts on behalf of interventional radiology. Also, be sure to let them know that SIR staff are available for additional help or information.

Meeting follow-up

Write a letter restating your position and thanking your legislator or staff for the meeting. Mention his or her staff by name. If they were especially helpful to you, include that in the note.