The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive
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5931 Advocacy and Lobbying in California
Saturday, July 28, 2012: 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
Pacific Salon 3 (Town and Country Resort and Convention Center)
Recorded Presentation
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In January 2008, 35 separate autism organizations throughout California met to discuss their common issues. Setting aside their differences, the individual groups formed the Alliance of California Autism Organizations (ACAO), the single largest autism advocacy organization in California. ACAO has since proven instrumental in influencing state legislators on numerous autism related issues. This session will introduce the basic elements of effective grassroots advocacy in statewide legislative efforts and provide guidance for leveraging influence through a coalition of statewide autism organizations.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will understand the role of advocacy in state legislative efforts.
- Participants will learn of the advantages and barriers of working with multiple autism organizations to strengthen the autism community’s position.
- Participants will gain an understanding of the basic components of legislative advocacy efforts used for an association-guided legislative campaign.
- Participants will learn to apply strategies and tools used in the legislative advocacy effort (letter writing, phone calls, legislative visits, grassroots mobilization, and coalition efforts).
- Participants will experience significantly less intimidation at the prospect of being directly involved in legislative advocacy.
Content Area: Life with Autism
Presenters:
Marcia Eichelberger
President
Autism Society of Santa Barbara
Marcia is the President of the Autism Society of California and Autism Society of Santa Barbara. She is a Founding Member and Coordinator of the Alliance of California Autism Organizations. Marcia has been an advocate in the field of autism since 1995 when her son, Jared, was diagnosed with autism.
Gregory Fletcher
Past President Autism Society of California
Gregory Fletcher is the father of an adult son on the Autism Spectrum. One of the co-founders of the Alliance of California Autism Organizations, he has served in multiple leadership roles in the Autism Society, including national committees, President of both the San Diego Chapter and the California State Chapter.
Rick Rollens
Legislative Advisor
Rollens Consulting
Rick Rollens is a former Secretary of the California State Senate, and current Legislative Adviser. He co-founded the MIND Institute, FEAT, and is a former national board member of ASA. He resides with his wife of 39 years, Janna, and their two sons Matthew and Russell, who have autism.