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:

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:
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