Opportunities for Boomer Advocacy Volunteers

Opportunities for Boomer Advocacy Volunteers

Opportunities with Legislators

1)Representative Kefalas

2)Representative McCann

3)Representative Young

4)Senator Carroll

Organizational Opportunities

1)Parents of Adults with Disabilities-Colorado (PAD-CO)

2)Hep C Connection

3)Lupus Foundation of Colorado

4)Colorado Interfaith Voices for Justice

5)National MS Society

6)Alzheimer’s Association

7)Colorado Alliance for Health and Independence (CAHI)

8)Mental Health America of Colorado (MHAC)

9)American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

10)Parent to Parent of Colorado

Opportunities with Legislators

1) Representative John Kefalas

Serving: House District 52, Fort Collins

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Website:

Contact: Click here to contact Britt Landis at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative or call 303-839-1261. If you are having trouble with the link, email . Britt will help you get connected with Representative Kefalas.

2) Representative Beth McCann

Serving: House District 8, Denver

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Website:

Contact:Click here to contact Britt Landis at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative or call 303-839-1261. If you are having trouble with the link, email . Britt will help you get connected with Representative McCann.

3) Representative Dave Young

Serving: District 50, Greeley

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Website:

Contact:Click here to contact Britt Landis at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative or call 303-839-1261. If you are having trouble with the link, email . Britt will help you get connected with Representative Young.

4) Senator Morgan Carroll

Serving: District 29, Aurora

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Website:

Contact:Click here to contact Britt Landis at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative or call 303-839-1261. If you are having trouble with the link, email . Britt will help you get connected with Representative Young.

Organizational Opportunities

1) Parents of Adults with Disabilities-Colorado (PAD-CO)

About PAD-CO: Purpose of the PAD-CO Listserv: For the discussion of the unique problems, concerns, joys and successes of parents of adults and older children with disabilities, and for finding goals and directions which we can voice to others to further the progress of our children with disabilities.

Website:

Position Summary: The listserv group, PAD-CO (Parents of Adults with Disabilities in Colorado) is requesting Boomer volunteers to assist us as we do the following tasks:Testify at legislative hearings, contact and work with legislators, provide and distribute position papers, work with fellow advocacy groups, maintain three "listservs" to keep our membership informed, do specific letters to various state, local and federal agencies regarding advocacy, do "action alerts" to our membership, maintain a core group who study and respond to issues, propose new legislation, study and report to the public on the current status of the health delivery system, maintain a web page summarizing these issues, attend numerous systems and systems change meetings, propose new funding options, advocate for efficiencies in the "system."

The volunteer may choose from a variety of established advocacy efforts. PAD-CO is a non-funded, purely voluntary association of Parents and guardians of adults with disabilities. We have no "office" and are entirely "virtual." In addition to sharing and solving mutual system and individual complexities, we do specific long-term health care advocacy for individuals with disabilities.

Time: The major efforts would be with the legislative session. However, we also have yearlong needs.

2) Hep C Connection

About Hep C Connection: There are at least 3.2 million people in the U.S. who are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus. “Most of these individuals are baby boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964, and more than three out of every four (78%) are unaware of their infections” (Milliman, 2009). Hep C Connection launched a baby boomer outreach plan in July 2011 using a variety of strategies to develop awareness among baby boomers about their risks for having contracted HCV. One of those strategies is to create a speakers bureau using baby boomers with HCV and others to educate groups with a higher proportion of baby boomer members – Rotary, Kiwanis, Elks, church education committees, etc.

Website:

Position Summary: The Advocacy Intern would coordinate the speaker’s bureau by:

securing speaking engagements to metro-Denver social service clubs and other forums for our volunteers;
giving presentations about the disease;
finding additional locations beyond our existing target list;
ensuring the data in the Power Point presentation is updated;
gathering feedback about the presentations;
other related duties.

Time: We estimate this position will take up to 5 hours per week for a five month period.

3) Lupus Foundation of Colorado

About Lupus Foundation of Colorado: Our missionis to improve the quality of life for all people affected by Lupus and to promote efforts for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure of Lupus.

The Lupus Foundation of Colorado, Inc. (LFC)was established in 1972 for the purpose of providing support, education and training to everyone that is affected by the disease of Lupus. Our programs and services are designed to assist people with Lupus and their family and friends in dealing with the frustrations that may be encountered daily, living with a challenging and chronic illness. When a person inquires about Lupus, we respond immediately, realizing our job is to address the concerns, fears, and lack of knowledge about Lupus. We also strive to bring community awareness about the disease and the programs the Lupus Foundation of Colorado offers. Both awareness and education can be the key to saving lives.

Website:

Position Summary: Speaking at events, testifying before committees, monitoring legislation, organizing events and liaison work with our partners are among the activities a volunteer could assist with.

Time: At least once per week. This may vary depending on the time of the year.

4) Colorado Interfaith Voices for Justice

About CIVJ: The mission of Colorado Interfaith Voices for Justice (CIVJ) is to work with faith communities to educate and advocate on behalf of those living in poverty. CIVJ focuses on state and federal policy issues concerning affordable housing, criminal justice, healthcare, hunger and welfare.

Website:

Position Summary:

Responsibilities of Volunteer Position

As part of a legislative advocacy team, advocate for CIVJ positions on priority state legislative and regulatory issues with legislators, community partners, local advocates, and other activists or influencers to reach specified goals and objectives. Tactics include meetings with state legislators and maintaining close constituent relationships with state elected officials and key staff.
Participate in local coalitions and work collaboratively as needed to promote CIVJ policy objectives. Communicate CIVJ’s legislative program to partner groups and various coalitions.
Assist in the development of state advocacy strategy plans.
Keep current on CIVJ issues and policy positions on priority legislative and regulatory issues. Actively seek to enhance knowledge base on these issues. Attend weekly meetings of the CIVJ legislative team to learn, plan and debrief.
Speak on behalf of CIVJ priority legislative and regulatory issues to community and church groups when requested by CIVJ board.

6. Keep fellow CIVJ team members informed about relevant legislative activities, reports in the media and other groups' pertinent activities.

Work with volunteer leaders and staff to help identify and recruit appropriate volunteers for CIVJ issues and programs.

Qualifications for Volunteer Position

Profess a faith in a God that seeks justice in a broken world.
Ability to understand and communicate complex legislative information and processes.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
E-mail and web communication literacy.
Public speaking experience.
Ability to work well with diverse populations.
Ability to work in a non-partisan manner.

Time: Mainly during legislative session, Jan – May, but may be some offseason work. Flexible schedule. 5 to 10 hours per week depending upon hearings, strategy meetings, legislation introduced etc.

5) National MS Society

About the National MS Society:The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now—to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. MS stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn't.We help each person address the challenges of living with MS through our 50-state network of chapters. The Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

Website:

Position Summary:An opportunity to Join the Movement by supporting the advocacy work of the Colorado Chapter of the National MS Society and Chronic Care Collaborative (CCC).The CCC is 23 organizations which have come together to advocate at the state level to serve the health care needs of persons with a chronic illness, i.e. cancer, Alzheimer’s, lupus, heart, stroke, etc.

Responsibilities for Volunteer Position

Research proposed legislation
Staff support to the CCC including developing strategy and getting organizational buy-in
Serving as a liaison with the members of the CCC
Help formulate policy and advocate on those policy issues with the Executive Departments and the Governor’s office
Support a registered lobbyist
Assist in developing strategies to engage constituents in the work
Help develop targeted messages to constituents This Volunteer will work closely with Vice President of Programs and Legislative lobbyist. The person will also work with the volunteer committee of the Society which directs legislative efforts.

Qualifications:

Able to demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills. Displays interest and necessary skills in community organization. Proficient computer and writing skills.

Benefits:

The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Coloradoans with multiple sclerosis. Necessary tools, training and in-office workstation including computer, phone and email account maybe provided.

Time:Open depending on volunteer’s schedule.

6) Alzheimer’s Association

About the Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer's Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research.

Website:

Position Summaries:

Public Policy / Advocate

We are always looking for additions to our Advocacy Committee. If you are interested in the federal and state legislative process and follow legislation in Congress or Denver we need your help to organize letter writing and make phone calls to develop support for specific legislation.

Speaker’s Bureau

You will be trained to teach various education programs, inform the community of our core services and host informational tables at health or wellness fairs. The Speaker’s Bureau is essential to educating our community about Alzheimer’s disease and the services the Association provides.

Helpline Counselor

Over the phone counseling is provided by volunteers to families and friends in need of advice and support. Additional training is provided in order to prepare you to answer important questions and provide comfort and support to those who call. Four hour shifts are available Monday-Friday between 8AM-5PM.

Art Facilitator

Join our Memories in the Making team andassist people in their early stages of Alzheimer’s to create watercolor paintings. Training will be provided to equip you with different techniques and ways to approach the activity of painting with someone with dementia.

Support Group Facilitator

We facilitate 90 support groups throughout the state which meet once a month. Each group needs a Group Leader and an Assistant Leader. You will be provided with training on how to run a group, counsel your members and educate them about the disease and caregiving. Previous experience as a caregiver is valuable but not required.

Program/Event Staff Assistant

Young Professionals Alzheimer’s Association (YPAAC)

Join a group of Colorado Young Professionals in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. YPAAC produces three fundraising events annually. All funds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado.

Event Support

We need a large number of volunteers to assist with day of’ event management and preparation. Events include:Walk to End Alzheimer’s Memories in the Making Art Auction ALZ Stars Playing for Memory-Golf tournament Reason to Hope Breakfast

Croquet Facilitator

Work with people in their early stages of dementia and their families / care partners as they engage together in a game of croquet. The game has been modified so the playing experience of the participants is both challenging and successful.

Clerical

We have a number of clerical opportunities including data entry, assembling mailings, filing, etc.

Time:Several times a week. Mostly between the hours of 8 – 5 on weekdays however, we do have several night and weekend opportunities.

7) Colorado Alliance for Health and Independence (CAHI)

About CAHI: TheColorado Alliance for Health and Independence(CAHI) is a nonprofit organization that coordinates health care services for adults with disabilities and integrates community services as needed. CAHI seeks to provide an alternative to the current healthcare system for thousands of persons with disabilities across Colorado through consumer-centered care coordination.

CAHI Disability Care Coordination not only improves the quality of care for its clientele, but also produces positive outcomes for Medicaid and establishes a fiscally sound health care model.

Website:

Position Summary: The volunteer position would be a direct service support position with the volunteer providing outreach to medical, mental health, transportation and our community providers to ensure that clients are able to access and receive the services they need and as needed.

Time: We have an ongoing need for volunteers. Volunteers can work on a weekly basis.

8) Mental Health America of Colorado (MHAC)

About MHAC: Mental Health America of Colorado is the recognized leader, collaborating to promote mental health, expand access to services and transform systems of healthcare.We envision a healthy Colorado free of stigma and discrimination where every person has full access to high quality services for all mental health and substance abuse conditions.

Website:

Position Summary:

Advocacy work will include:

1) Research of Mental Health America’s national policy statements, research of national health care reform implementation efforts of the Affordable Care Act, research on national budget discussions and Medicaid budget issues at the national and state levels;

2)Research of state legislative policies and state budget discussions, following budget discussions at the state Joint Budget Committee and monitoring the State Health Insurance Exchange efforts.

3)Attendance at state legislative committee hearings and possible testifying in support of behavioral health bill proposals or policy changes.

4)Data entry for legislative alerts.

5)Help prepare events such mental health caucus for legislators during the legislative session, preparing candidate breakfasts, LEAD event at the capitol.

6)Participate in internal committees here at MHAC

7)Work with the public policy and advocacy specialist.

Time: Varies; during the legislative session at least twice a week. November through May.

9) AARP

About AARP: The advocacy mission of AARP is to promote issues of importance to AARP members and grow our presence as an organization by: communicating AARP’s positions to legislators; promoting consumer education through AARP publications and resources; and, motivating people to mass action on AARP’s state and federal priority issues.

Website:

Position Summary:

Responsibilities of Volunteer Position

1. Keep current on AARP issues and policy positions on priority legislative and regulatory issues. Actively seek to enhance knowledge base on these issues.

2. Advocate for AARP positions on priority state and federal legislative and regulatory issues with legislators, community partners, local advocates, and other activists or influencers to reach specified goals and objectives. Tactics include regular meetings with assigned state legislators and maintaining close constituent relationships with state elected officials, political candidates, media outlets and key staff. Contact with Members of Congress initiated under direction of AARP state office and volunteer leadership.