Batten Down the Hatches:

1
Public Relations/Public Education Council
presents
PR/PE Cookbook

• Batten Down the Hatches
• Here Comes the UAGA

Recipe Courtesy of Amy Olszewski, MPA Government
Liaison Gift of Life Michigan
2
Batten Down the Hatches?

• Any political undertaking requires teamwork.
• Teams
• Internal Workgroup
• External Partners
• Commissioner support/Sponsor

3
Internally

• The UAGA will affect
• Every Department
• Every Aspect of Donation
• How We Are Perceived

4
Why Care?

• NCCUSL Commissioners
• They can introduce legislation with or without
  your input.
• Uniformity in Law will ultimately raise donation
  rates
• Our combined introduction will provide benefits
  to all

5
Key Elements of the UAGA

• 1. It reflects the current industry.
• 2. It defines a document of gift and its uses.
• 3. It removes barriers to donation.
• 4. It strengthens the rights of the individual.
  
• From A New Look at the UAGA 8-24-06, Carol
  ONeill and Paul Sodders

6
Process
7
? Documents to Review

• Download your current UAGA from your legislative
  website and read it
• Read the new UAGA with Comments
• Review all supporting materials from AOPO about
  the UAGA

8
Why an Internal Workgroup?

• Internal support no surprises later
• Internal support translates to external outreach
  to partners
• Internal Workgroup respects and recognizes the
  knowledge you have in your OPO
• Note States with multiple OPOs need to provide
  a unified voice about the UAGA, its benefits and
  effects

9
? OPO Internal Workgroup

• The Masher and Sifter
• Ensure every department is represented
• Reinforce how important this is to entire
  organization
• Promise and deliver - short and sweet

10
? Commissioners

• NCCUSL Commissioners
• Obtain list
• Contact NCCUSL for information
• Google those guys. Send a brief letter of
  introduction.

11
Michigan Commissioners

• One of our Commissioners is a Senator and member
  of the Senate Health Policy Committee
• Two are State Representatives
• One is a Professor, nationally recognized
  forwork on Uniform Laws (Univ. of Michigan Law
  School)
• One is the head of our Legislative Services
  Bureau (bill drafters and writers of laws)

SPONSOR!
12
? Introductory Meeting

• Make an appointment
• Introduce yourself
• Mention that you would like to talk about the
  Senator or Representative potentially sponsoring
  the UAGA
• Mention the meeting will be about 15-20 minutes
  and honor that promise.

13
?? The OPO-Approved Draft
This is the first intersection of the process
line where you present your OPO-approved draft
to the sponsor.

• Be prepared to explain why/where you deviate from
  the Commissioner approved UAGA
• Share how you intend to gain partner support for
  the bill.
• Ask that your version be submitted for drafting.

14
?? The OPO-Approved Draft

• What they need from you
• Indication that you are a credible source of
  information
• A promise to assist the sponsors staff with
  questions from the public and from the
  legislative drafting bureau
• Easy to read, functional summaries of changes

15
? Introduction of the Bill
Congratulations! Now, you need to inform your
staff and partners that the bill is introduced

• Call the Sponsors staff to see when the hearing
  is expected
• Joint Meeting of the Senate and House Health
  Policy Committees
• Work on letters of support before the hearing

16
? External Partners

• To name a few, in Michigan
• American Red Cross
• Michigan Association of Medical Examiners
• Michigan College of Emergency Physicians
• Michigan Department of Community Health
• Michigan Department of State (donor registry
  portion)
• Michigan Health Hospital Association
• Michigan State Medical Society
• Michigan Trauma Coalition
• Midwest Eye-Bank
• National Kidney Foundation of Michigan

17
?? Hearings
A Public Hearing is just a way for the Senators
and Representatives to hear about a bill.

• Expect to have short notice about the hearing.
• Expect to submit both written and oral testimony
  in support of the bill.
• Have your partners ready to support the bill
  through letters or cards of support.

18
?? Hearings
Who do you approach for letters of support?
Everyone!

• Your partner organizations.
• Each transplant center, every hospital, all your
  volunteers and the donation community.
• Let your sponsors staff know who is submitting
  letters of support for the bill.

19
? Governors Desk

• Congratulations again!
• Your bill has passed Committee, passed both
  chambers and now sits on the Governors desk for
  signature.
• Once more ask your partners and supporters to
  submit a letter to the Governor. Generally,
  organizations will have more sway than
  individuals.

20
? Passed!

• How can you recognize your sponsor?
• Arrange for a picture of the Governor signing the
  bill with your sponsor. Feature this pic
  anywhere you can.
• Make sure your media release thanks your sponsor.
• Thank your sponsor personally.

21
When Bad Things Happen

• to good organizations.
• If you know of opposition do not hide it from
  your sponsor.
• Try to negotiate with the opposing organization
  before the hearing.
• Never stretch the truth or doctor the data - your
  credibility is everything.

22
HELP?!?
AOPO Carol ONeillPowerPoint from September 06
callAOPO documents coming soon HRSA Dr. Mary
GanikosState Strategies for Organ and
TissueDonation plus At-a-Glance brochure and
Your NCCUSL Commissioners!
23

• Amy Olszewski, MPA
• Government Liaison
• Gift of Life Michigan
• aolszewski_at_giftoflifemichigan.org
• 800 482 4881 x 147