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Public Policy
Does Advocacy Make a
Difference?
If you are like many Americans, you may be wondering if your
involvement in the political process is worth the effort:
Does your phone call, letter or visit really make an impression?
The answer is, without a doubt, YES!
Your elected officials and their staff in Philadelphia,
Harrisburg, and Washington, DC are there for you, their
constituent. Remember that voters like you put them in
office and it is the central focus of an elected
representative’s job to respond to voter concerns. So,
they need to hear from you on issues you care about. If
they do not hear from constituents about critical nutrition and
health issues, your representative will interpret the lack of
interest as a sign that the issues are not relevant to their
constituents. Using the same line of thinking, the more
interest they see, the more they will show their interest and
support for the issue. YOU can make a difference!
Modified excerpt from ADA’s Advocacy Guide
Get Involved!
-Search for current nutrition related bills in
Philadelphia.
- Log onto
ADA’s Grassroots Manager
to identify and contact
your legislators.
-Does your college nutrition program incorporate public policy
and advocacy? Apply for
the
Public Policy and Advocacy In Dietetics Education award!
-Want to stay up-to-date on ADA’s policy initiatives and
advocacy? Sign-up to receive
On the Pulse,
ADA’s free weekly email on the week’s events in Washington.
-Become a part of PDA’s Legislative Committee! Contact
Krista Yoder, PDA’s State and Federal Policy Coordinator, at
Krista_yoder@yahoo.com
Public Policy Workshop
PDA encourages members to attend ADA’s Public Policy Workshop
for the opportunity to become familiar “with current public
policy issues affecting food, nutrition and health, enhance
grassroots lobbying capabilities and strengthen the Association
through the networking of members” (www.eatright.org).
To read about PDA member involvement at the 2008 PPW, visit
http://www.eatrightphiladelphia.org/News/.
PPW 2009 will be held in Washington D.C. from February 9-11.
To learn more and sign up, click here.
(http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/10882_ENU_HTML.htm)
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