AIDS Watch at Home 2010: Leverage Local Power to Influence Federal AIDS Advocacy
People often feel like they are powerless to make social change, especially where large federal policies are concerned. However, by making contact with local congressional offices right where you live, YOU can play a powerful role in advocating for expanded HIV-related services.
Going to Washington to advocate on behalf of HIV/AIDS issues as part of AIDSWatch can be an exhilarating experience and a significant form of civic engagement, but it’s not the only place where change is likely to happen. As it turns out, advocating locally truly matters!
Follow the tips on this page to learn how to maximize your federal advocacy without having to travel too far. By gathering a small group of constituents to meet with members of Congress—on your turf—you can reinforce the messages they received from AIDS advocates on Capitol Hill.
AIDSWatch at Home In-District Toolkit:
AIDS Watch at Home Advocate Webinars – Training webinars will be held for advocates interested in organizing in-district meetings as part of AIDS Watch at Home 2010.
May 12, 19, and 26 at 1 p.m. Eastern. Email Jim Merrell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register and receive more information.
In-District Meeting Guide – This presentation will tell you everything you need to know about organizing an in-district meeting in your area.
Tell Your Story – This presentation and this worksheet will help you develop and practice the message you will deliver in your meeting.
See other advocates tell it like it is by watching these sample testimonies:
Get the Facts – Share these factsheets with your legislators to give them all the important information on each of AIDSWatch 2010 three policy agenda item –
Report Back – Use this form to report on how your visit went. This information is important for us to keep track of your advocacy efforts.
These materials were prepared in collaboration with AIDS Foundation of Chicago, whose work was funded, in part, through the generous support of Bristol-Myers Squibb's WithInSight Initiative, with no review or editorial discretion as to topics or content discussed.
Reports on AIDSWatch 2008
AIDSWatch Congressional Visit Report 2008
AIDS Watch at Home Advocate Webinars – Training webinars will be held for advocates interested in organizing in-district meetings as part of AIDS Watch at Home 2010.
May 12, 19, and 26 at 1 p.m. Eastern. Email Jim Merrell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register and receive more information.
