Do's & Don'ts

How to be an Effective Childhood Cancer Advocate

Do's

• Do learn all that you can about the issue. The easiest and fastest way to learn about anything these days, including children's issues, is to look on the internet. Be careful about distinguishing fact from opinion and science from "junk science" by sticking to the sites of reputable organizations or media outlets.
• Do know the arguments on both sides of the issue well enough to be able to present the opposition's case that refutes your position.
• Do identify your audience and a strategy for reaching it. Whose minds have to be changed, and how can you get your message in front of them? How can you avoid "preaching to the choir?"
• Do call your representative's office and speak with the scheduler to schedule an appointment.
• Do articulate your position clearly, succinctly and authoritatively. Support your argument with verifiable facts.
• Do localize the issue(s) and/or personalize the issue(s) when possible. Use personal pronouns, such as "you," "we," "me," "us" and "I" when writing or speaking to a representative or the media.
• Do try to sound optimistic by referring to previous successes. The hardest part of persuasion is to convince your audience that their action can make a difference.
• Do request specific action(s) in your letter or in your meeting with a member of Congress. Avoid asking for too much (more than one or two things).
• Do state the problem or issue—a bill moving in Congress, an agency issuing a regulation on clinical trials, etc.—and explain your suggestion for how it can be fixed.
• Do consider reaching out to like-minded people and groups. There is power in numbers. Find out if other people in your community or region are aware of this issue. Does a group or coalition already exist? Your efforts may be more effective if you work with an existing group. If no group currently exists, think about who would/could/should be in such a group if it did exist. Who are the local experts and opinion leaders on this issue? Talk to like-minded people about getting organized.
• Do express your gratitude by thanking anyone you were able to meet or speak with.

Don'ts

• Don't refer to bills by their numbers alone.
• Don't overwhelm a representative with too much information or paperwork. They don't have time for it. It's important to be clear, concise and to the point. Provide them with information that may be key to their efforts, and be ready to supply any other needed information if requested.
• Don't be inflexible. Sometimes a compromise can help move ideas and particular issue(s) ahead when certain aspects are perceived as controversial.
• Don't use terms, acronyms or abbreviations that may be unfamiliar to a representative without explaining their meanings.
• Don't forget to follow-up with a thank you to the member of Congress or any staff members that took time to meet with you.
• Don't threaten or antagonize a legislator. If a congressional representative opposes your viewpoint, but respects you and bears you no animosity, you may find common ground in the future on another issue.