Last week the ARRM Board of Directors authorized a $50,000 expenditure out of reserves set aside for special projects to retain a grassroots advocacy consultant to “assist ARRM in a robust and aggressive initiative to enhance its capacity to mobilize members, their employees and client families” for grassroots advocacy.
ARRM is recognized for its strong grassroots efforts, but due to the funding emergency upon us, the Board agreed that we should take what we do well to the next level. If the impact of this effort means only a one percent difference in member rates, it will be well worth the effort.
We’ll engage the consultant for short term strategies first and then year-round long term strategies once the session is over.
Our Public Affairs Committee will develop a plan for the consultant at its meeting today.
Also going on today...
- The House human services policy committee gets an update on health care reform.
- We’re working with authors to put in a COLA bill, even though the chances of funding are dire. The COLA Coalition, made up of other disability provider and advocacy organizations, nonetheless agreed we should put the need for a COLA in the mix.
ARRM's Advocacy Arsenal is fully functional
Please visit ARRM's website for advocacy tools, tip, and talking points. We've recently added a video to our arsenal, entitled "How to Talk to Your Legislator". You'll need Windows Media Player or QuickTime Media Player to view this ten-minute piece, which we created before last year's session.