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Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

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How Can You Help

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How Can You Help

What is Advocacy?

Your elected officials, whether at the city, county, state or federal level, need to hear from you! Part of advocacy is letting lawmakers know where you stand on important issues. When it comes to food, nutrition and health, YOU are the experts. That’s why it’s vital that you are at the table assisting lawmakers with answers to the many questions and decisions they have on policy issues.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has many wonderful resources for how to be an expert at advocacy. Visit the member’s only link to find out more.

Public policy is an important component in many areas of the Michigan Academy’s strategic plan, including those highlighted in red:

Michigan Academy strategic plan

How You Can Help

The Michigan Academy’s Public Policy Panel volunteers their time to monitor legislative activity and respond as needed with meetings and contacts to key players in the legislative process (link to their position descriptions). However, they are only 5 people! In order to be heard by your legislators, all 2,000+ Michigan Academy members need to be involved!!

There are a number of ways to be involved:

  • Respond to action alerts – both federal and state
  • Download the MPHI “Find a Bill” app and stay up-to-date with any new state legislation
  • Write to your legislator and/or elected official
  • Visit your legislator and/or elected official
  • Visit the Academy’s Advocacy page
  • Visit your companies or organizations public policy, advocacy or governance page to see what they are following

Who is My Elected Official?

There are 2 chambers of the Michigan Legislature – the House of Representatives and the Senate.

There are 110 Representatives in the House. They are elected in even numbered years and serve 2-year terms. They are limited to serving 3 terms, however, they can serve more in certain circumstances (i.e. re-distribution of districts).

There are a number of committees and sub-committees in the House where nutrition and health legislation are discussed. Some of these include:

  • Agriculture
  • Banking and Financial Services
  • Commerce
  • Education
  • Energy and Technology
  • Families, Children and Seniors
  • Government Operations
  • Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation
  • Community Health
  • Higher Education
  • Local, Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs
  • Health Policy

To find your Representative, CLICK HERE.

There are 38 Senators in the Senate. They are elected the same time as the governor and serve a 4-year term. The Senate also has a number of committees and sub-committees where nutrition and health legislation is discussed. Listed below are some examples:

  • Agriculture
  • Economic Development
  • Education
  • Energy and Technology
  • Families, Seniors and Human Services
  • Government Operations
  • Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes
  • Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
  • Reforms, Restructuring and Reinvention
  • Health Policy
  • K-12, School Aid, Education
  • Department of Human Services
  • Department of Licensing and Regulation Affairs

To find your Senator, CLICK HERE.

To contact the Governor, CLICK HERE.

To contact the Michigan Attorney General, CLICK HERE.

  • File a complaint about a business, company or individual
  • Consumer Protection
  • Public Integrity

For more information about how government works and is structured, CLICK HERE.

Visiting Your Legislator

Consumers need expert nutrition information and education. That’s why is so important that RD’s and RDN’s need to be involved in decision making related to nutrition and health policy. One of the most effective ways to get your message across is sitting down and talking with your elected official. This can be done by:

  • Setting up a meeting with your elected official either in Washington DC, Lansing, or in their district office
  • Attending a local town hall meeting sponsored by your legislator
  • Attending a breakfast, lunch or dinner events
  • Introducing yourself to them when you see them
  • Talking with their legislative aide, secretary or other office support staff
  • Following them on twitter and other social media sites
  • Volunteer on their campaign

Below are some tips when visiting your legislator;

  • Have clear talking points
    • Identify the topic right away
    • Assume they know nothing!
  • Know who you are meeting!
    • Aide’s and support staff are your best friends
    • Know something personal about them
  • Be on time
  • Be polite
    • Refer to them as Senator or Representative
    • You may hear objections
  • Tell them who you are representing
    • “Intern at University of Michigan”, “Clinical Dietitian at McLaren Northern Michigan”
  • Provide evidence and research of the value of dietetic services (www.andeal.org)
  • Share personal stories and relate how you made a difference
  • Tip sheets are great resources to leave for your legislator. If you are creating your own, remember:
      • To make them stand out from others
      • To include your name and contact information (phone, e-mail)
      • To keep them short and simple

    The Academy, as well as many dietetic practice groups and the Michigan Academy, have a variety of free tip sheets for you to use: (Link 1, Link 2)

  • Thank them for their time

Writing to Your Legislator

  • Try to stick to one page
  • First paragraph: state your purpose and identify yourself
    • Stick with one subject or issue
  • For a bill: cite by name and number
    • “HB______” or “SB______” or “Public Act _____”
  • Be factual
    • Avoid emotional philosophical arguments
  • Relay it to their constituents
  • If legislation is wrong – say so
    • Indicate likely adverse effects
    • Suggest a better approach
  • Do not demand support
  • Include your name and contact information
    • E-mail, phone number and return address (including where you live)

CLICK HERE TO SEE A SAMPLE LETTER

Our Policy Team In Action

Michigan Academy District
Information

Michigan currently has 5 District Associations and 2 Dietetic Practice Groups.

Calendar of Events

Michigan Academy Spring Conference
April 26 & 27, 2018
Doubletree Hotel, Bay City

Hypertriglyceridemia & Pancreatitis: Separating Secondary Causes from Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS)
May 3, 2018 @ 6:30
Andiamo's, Dearborn
See Flyer for details: FCS Invite

Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors

  • UDIM-MMM
    Gold Sponsor
  • Akcea
    Bronze Sponsor
  • HenryFord
    Bronze Sponsor
  • Sodexo
    Bronze Sponsor
  • MONASH-LOGO-FODMAP_Lockup
    Sponsor
  • Schemmel
    Sponsor

View the list of the current 2018 conference exhibitors here: 2018 Exhibitors

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