C. David Paragas Leadership & Advocacy Training Seminar
May 17, 2008
The Conference Center at NorthPointe
Lewis Center, Ohio
Online Registration Form
Downloadable Registration Form
In an effort to provide advocacy training and promote legislative know-how, OAFP will host the biennial C. David Paragas Leadership & Advocacy Training Seminar on Saturday, May 17.
OAFP is proud to present this one-day program to help family physicians better understand and advocate for themselves and their practices in the private and public healthcare sectors.
In the current healthcare climate, it is imperative that physicians not only be knowledgeable clinicians but also astute businesspeople. This exciting and diverse program is designed to help attendees develop the important leadership and advocacy skills that ensure practice success.
Scholarships:
OAFP will provide 35 scholarships for OAFP members to attend this conference - 25 will be awarded to medical student and resident members and 10 will be awarded to emerging legislative leaders. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis (use the conference online registration or downloadable form to apply). You will be notified if selected to receive a scholarship. Failure to notify OAFP that you do not plan to use your scholarship will result in assessment of the full conference registration fee.
About Our Facilitator:
Stephanie Vance, known nationally as the "Advocacy Guru," will lead our advocacy training sessions. Stephanie's expertise and sense of humor make her interactive workshops informative and fun. Our program will also feature an overview of current healthcare issues and a question/answer session on the healthcare platforms of the major presidential candidates.
Author and national speaker, Stephanie Vance, of AdVanced Consulting, has more than 15 years experience in Washington, D.C., both as a lobbyist and Congressional aide. She has previously spoken at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Congressional Conference and at the AAFP State Legislative Conference.
Session topics include:
- Effective Advocacy 101: How to Work the System and Beat the Odds
- Current Healthcare Issues and Healthcare Platforms of Presidential Candidates
- 'Til Death Do Us Part: Building Long-term Relationships with Elected Officials
| Schedule: |
| 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
Effective Advocacy 101: How to Work the System and Beat the Odds
Presenter: Stephanie Vance
Participants will be trained to use "constituent power" to work the system and beat the odds of having their views heard. In this opening session, the four keys to effective advocacy, including knowing what you want, knowing who to ask, knowing how to ask and knowing how to follow up will be reviewed. Participants will learn why it is important to always "ask" for something. The one thing people must say to the elected official in order for them to consider their "asks" will be discussed. Participants will have an opportunity to practice what they have learned through role-playing. They will also learn the "Top 10 Things Elected Officials and Their Staff Hate to Hear."
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| 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. |
Current Healthcare Issues and Healthcare Platforms of Presidential Candidates
Moderator: David Paragas, J.D.
Major presidential candidates or designated representatives from their campaigns will be invited to present their healthcare platforms during lunch. Following those presentations, OAFP Lobbyist David Paragas will moderate a question/answer session with participants and provide an overview of key healthcare issues being discussed in the Ohio General Assembly.
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| 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. |
'Til Death Do Us Part: Building Long-Term Relationships with Elected Officials
Presenter: Stephanie Vance
This session will focus on creative and easy things advocates can do throughout the year to build relationships with their elected officials and their staff. The one trait all advocates share and the biggest mistake advocates make after meeting with their elected official will be shared. Participants will learn practical and effective ways to become a trusted resource that elected officials and their staff think of when important decisions come up. They will practice setting up a site visit or town hall meeting in the district, discuss "out of the box" ideas for effective advocacy, and perhaps, most importantly, consider the difference between being persistent and being a pest. To conclude, all these ideas will be brought together in the "Five Minute Action Plan" designed to help participants identify quick and easy things they can do to effectively advocate for family physician issues in Ohio.
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Advocacy Pearls from Ms. Vance:
Why the Legislative Process is Like Thanksgiving Dinner - "Understand where the other person is coming from: Is your Aunt Millicent really insisting on her beloved 'brussel sprout surprise' because she is a horrible person? Will explaining to her over and over again that no one else likes brussel sprouts really convince her to forgo her long-time favorite? Not likely. Remember that members of Congress are representing the same diverse and umm, interesting perspectives when it comes to policy matters."
"Wizarding" Your Way to Success: Harry Potter's Rules for Effective Advocacy -"Have the Proper Allies: Harry Potter does not work alone. He relies on a host of others, including, of course, his good friends, Ron and Hermione. Each has special skills they bring to bear in difficult circumstances. For example, situations requiring courage, loyalty and a knowledge of wizard chess fall within Ron's purview. Hermione often finds herself in charge of research, analytical thinking and 'difficult' magic. Harry, of course, is in charge of all things heroic. Allies and coalitions are essential to any successful advocacy effort. Different groups bring different skills to the table - some may have great mailing lists, others may have good public relations connections and still others may have strong connections to unlikely allies (such as lawmakers on the other side of the aisle). Just as Harry Potter recognized the futility of 'going it alone,' so, too, should you. Remember: help comes to those who ask."
What One Smart Dog Can Teach Us about Advocacy - "People Do not Know What You Want Unless You Ask. Above all things, Xena Warrior Princess (Ms. Vance's dog) understood the importance of 'making the ask.' Whether she wanted a biscuit, a belly rub or a bite of her dog dad's dinner, Xena asked for it - frequently and without reservation. In fact, every once in awhile it bordered on begging. Now, I am not suggesting that advocates resort to begging for what they want, but it is essential 'to make the ask.' Too many people try to 'educate' elected officials about their issues. They put all their time and energy into explaining the tragedy of situation X, while assuming that support for their preferred solution of policy Y will be obvious. It is not. Believe me, Xena never tried to get me to understand the tragedy of a biscuit-less life. She just told me she wanted a biscuit."
This activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for 5.5 Prescribed credits by AAFP. This program has also been reviewed by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and is acceptable for up to 5.5 hours of Category 2-B credits.
For more information, contact Director of Meeting Services Erin Jech or call 800.742.7327.
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