2012 Election Advocacy and the HIV/AIDS Community

Pete SubkoviakAIDS Foundation of Chicagopsubkoviak@aidschicago.org

Charles StephensAIDS UnitedCstephens@aidsunited.org WWW.HIVHealthReform.org/HIVMedAcc

ess

First a bit of Housekeeping......

•All attendees are in listen-only mode•During Q & A segments ▫Everyone can ask questions using the chat

feature.▫ If you are using the phone: Use the ‘Raise Hand’

button if you want to ask a question and you will be unmuted and called upon.

•Recording and presentation will be available at website

Raise your Hand or Use the Question Feature to Ask Questions

2012 Election Advocacy

HIV Med Access Campaign

The Rules: Do’s and Don’t’s Our Goal

Two HIV/AIDS Questions for

Congressional and Presidential Candidates

Messaging Bird Dogging

Voter Mobilization

The HIV Med Access Campaign is a national project that:

seeks to reframe the national conversation around HIV/AIDS treatment and care access, especially within the 2012 elections

engages advocates around a range of programs related to health care access for people with HIV

advances HIV treatment expansion as critical to the nation’s fiscal and public health goals

is not possible with the support of MAC AIDS Fund

• Increase the awareness and importance of HIV/AIDS in the 2012 election cycle by:▫Getting candidates on record on pressing

HIV/AIDS issues▫Getting media attention on HIV/AIDS issues

during the election season

One of HMAC’s Goals

HIV Med Access Campaign Partners

AIDS Foundation of Chicago – Midwest

• Pete Subkoviak, psubkoviak@aidschicago.org• Sarah Sobel, sobel@ohioaidscoalition.org (Ohio contact)

AIDS United – Mid-Atlantic and South

• Caressa Cameron, ccameron@aiidsunited.org – Mid-Atlantic• Charles Stephens, cstephens@aidsunited.org - South

Latino Commission on AIDS – Latino community

• John Hellman, jhellman@latinoaids.org

Project Inform – Northwest

• Ryan Clary, rclary@projectinform.org

www.HIVHealthReform.org/HIVmedaccess

What’s at Stake113th Congress: Jan.

2013 –Jan. 2015Next Administration: Jan. 2013 – Jan. 2017

Ryan White Program

reauthorization

Affordable Care Act

implementation

Appropriations under the

Budget Control Act

National HIV/AIDS Act

implementation

Possible Supreme

Court vacancy

You, as an individual, can do or say anything you want, on your own time and dime

If you are working in conjunction with a non-profit (501 (c) 3) then all activities must be nonpartisan• This includes all planning, coordination and resources

used for the project• You cannot support or oppose a candidate or party• You cannot endorse candidates, or provide in-kind or

financial support for candidates or political parties• Your non-profit status is at stake!

Rules for Election Advocacy

DO• Encourage participation in

the civic process• Educate your community

on ways to register and vote

• Remind them that they have a voice

DON’T• Wear or say anything that

promotes a candidate or party

• Tell voters who to vote for• Connect voting with an

issue (don’t say: “vote for AIDS”)

• IMPORTANT: YOU CAN DO ALL THIS ON YOUR OWN TIME AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s and Don’ts: Examples

Legal Illegal

• We support Bill 123 which would increase funding for ADAP

• Do you support Bill 123?• You should sign up to vote

– here’s how• Do you know where the

candidates stand on AIDS issues?

• Vote for AIDS in 2012• Support Romney in 2012!• Republicans boo, vote

Democrat!• You should sign up to vote

and then vote for me

Bird-Dogging:Not as scary as it looks

What is Bird-Dogging?

• Bird-dogging is a tactic activists use to demand answers from politicians in a public setting.

• Simply put, bird-dogging involves attending a public event and asking politicians questions.

• This tactic can help bring media attention to your issue and inspire elected officials to commit to new policies.

1. Find an event 2. Gather some friends 3. Make a plan

4. Get good seats

5. Get your hands up first, fast, and high

Get a handshake (and

a photo or autograph)–and

an answer!

Get quoted

Bird-Dogging Steps

Finding an event

You can learn about upcoming events by getting on the party or

candidate’s email lists.

Once you find an event, ask the organizer for details—

when the doors open, if you need tickets, and if there is a

question period.

Gather Friends

•Bringing along a few friends who share in your cause and are willing to ask questions will strengthen not only your efforts, but also your confidence.

• The more people, the more likely it is that at least one of your questions will

get answered.

Make a Plan

Write your questions in advance! • Make it personal by sharing your own story—

what has inspired you to take on this cause?

• Make a clear ask—if you have identified a problem, what is the solution and how can this person enact change?

• Make it easy for them to say yes—it is a simple, moral obligation.

• Practice your questions with a friend who will act as the politician or a devil’s advocate.

Get Good Seats

If you are in a group, spread out—do not all sit together.

Arrive early so you can try to get a seat near the front.

First, Fast, High

As soon as there is an opportunity for

questions, get your hand up first, fast and

high!

Get a Handshake

•Candidates often walk through the crowd giving handshakes. This provides additional opportunity to engage in conversation, so get in line!

•When you shake hands, ask your question. You’ll only have a few seconds, so make it quick and to the point.

•If you have the chance, get a picture or an autograph to spend more time talking with this politician.

Get Quoted

Get Quoted

Remember…

Bird-dogging is not about attacking an elected official or candidate. You will not make you or your cause look good if you do that.

Before asking anything of a politician, make sure you research his or her stance on the issue.

All that being said, elected officials work for us, and it is our responsibility to ask for the change we want.

Follow Up

Talk to Staff. Introduce yourself to the elected official’s staff. Ask for their business card and follow up with them after the meeting about the issue you spoke about. Be Persistent. Send an email. Make a phone call. Schedule an in-person meeting with the elected official or staff person when they are in the district. Do it all again.

Get Your People to Multiple Meetings. Creating an ongoing and unwavering presence in multiple locations throughout the state

State and Regional Action Planning to Mobilize Voters

Charles Stephens AIDS United

What IS Voter Mobilization?

Voter registration

Voter education

Get out the vote effort

Tips for Successful Voter Mobilization

• Learn the rules▫ Go to your Secretary of State’s website ▫ Voter registration deadlines▫ Submission requirements▫ Rules for people with criminal records

• Make a plan with realistic and attainable goals including ▫ Number of people you want to register,

get to the polls▫ Number of partners you plan to engage

• Assess internal/external resources:▫ Existing efforts▫ Staff & volunteers▫ Peer educators▫ Registration opportunities (intake, support

groups, health fairs, etc.)

Tips for Successful Voter Mobilization• Get the materials you need ▫ Info on issues▫ Voter registration cards▫ Federal Election Commission ▫ Your Secretary of State’s website ▫ AIDS Vote http://www.c2ea.org/aidsvote

• Identify your target universe of to register▫ Clients, staff, volunteers, residents, etc.▫ Who else?

• Go to where the people they are, but start with your base▫ Your agency▫ Planning council meetings▫ Community events

Tips for Successful Voter Mobilization• Make it fun and easy

▫ Create a voter registration station at your agency▫ Work with staff to integrate registration into encounters with clients▫ Organize volunteers to register voters at agency/community events▫ Identify registration captains

• Organize educational forums for staff, clients, board members, and volunteers about key issues

• Notify your network of important dates through email, phone calls, and social media▫ Registration deadline and election day!

• Attend candidate forums and raise HIV/AIDS issues

Let’s Get Out the Vote!

• Organize carpools▫ Use agency vehicles ▫ Collaborate with faith partners

or other organizations that are organizing rides to the polls

• Get the word out▫ Phone calls▫ Fliers▫ Facebook ▫ Twitter

• Cast YOUR vote!

The HMAC Elections Toolkit

HIVHealthReform.org/HIVMedAccess

The HMAC Elections Toolkit•Elections Advocacy Power Point•Questions for candidates with talking

points•Telling your story worksheet•Do’s and Don’ts fact sheet•Voter mobilization assessment

www.HIVHealthReform.org/HIVMedAccess

2012 Election Advocacy

HIV Med Access

Campaign

The Rules: Do’s and Don’t’s

Our Goal

Two HIV/AIDS Questions for

Congressional and Presidential Candidates

1. HMAC Election Advocacy Power Point

•Elections Advocacy Power Point▫Do’s and Don’ts for Non-Profits▫Questions to ask candidates for federal

office▫Messaging:

for public events and getting heard by the media

▫Bird-dogging▫Voter Mobilization

1. HMAC Election Advocacy Power Point

2. Questions for Candidates

•Two questions, along with talking points, for Congressional and Presidential candidates on HIV funding and ADAP▫Print it out and use in town hall forums and

other candidate events▫Add your own personal story for greater

impact

2. Questions for Candidates

Other Questions to Ask

Do you support full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which will transform the fight against HIV/AIDS?

Will you commit to protect funding for Medicaid and Medicare, two programs that are vital to people living with HIV?

HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects certain minority populations, particularly African Americans, Latinos, youth and men who have sex with men. What will you do to address these health disparities?

I’m uninsured, and have a pre-existing condition. In 2014 I will qualify for Medicaid but I need coverage now. What should Congress do to help people like me today?

3. Telling Your Story Worksheet

•Use the worksheet to figure out what issue you want to focus on and how it affects you and your community▫Helps you focus on how a “policy” (ex.

funding for Ryan White programs) has affected you, your clients, and the community

▫Helps create a clear message to make the candidate and greater public understand why these issues are impact your region

3. Telling Your Story Worksheet

4. Do’s and Don’ts for NPOs

•Handy reference for 501(c)3 organizations to know what election activities they may engage in

•Bottom line: Keep it issue based. NPO’s may support positions (ex. Funding for ADAP) but may not support, oppose or show favoritism to any candidate or political party.

4. Do’s and Don’ts for NPOs

5. Voter Mobilization Assessment

•Helps groups assess:▫Their goals for mobilization▫Their resources/capacity for voter

mobilization▫What actions might be most strategic to

engage in▫Action steps to achieve outcomes

5. Voter Mobilization Assessment

Election Resources

Doseofchange.org/HCaccess

Aidsunited.org

Wellstone.org

AFJ.org

Votesmart.org

HIV Med Access Campaign Partners

AIDS Foundation of Chicago – Midwest

• Pete Subkoviak, psubkoviak@aidschicago.org• Sarah Sobel, sobel@ohioaidscoalition.org (Ohio contact)

AIDS United – Mid-Atlantic and South

• Caressa Cameron – ccameron@aiidsunited.org – Mid-Atlantic• Charles Stephens cstephens@aidsunited.org - South

Latino Commission on AIDS – Latino community

• John Hellman, jhellman@latinoaids.org

Project Inform – Northwest

• Ryan Clary, rclary@projectinform.org

www.HIVHealthReform.org/HIVmedaccess

Thank you and stay tuned for more!•Pete Subkoviak▫AIDS Foundation of Chicago

Psubkoviak@aidschicago.org

•Charles Stephens▫AIDS United

Cstephens@aidsunited.org

www.HIVHealthReform.org/HIVmedaccess