Advocates can use the story bank to locate consumers who are interested in becoming health care leaders. When consumers are given skills, training, and guidance, they feel empowered to pursue leadership roles within the health care justice movement.
Hold one-on-one meetings
Nearly all advocates we talked to continue to engage consumers who shared their story by setting up one-on-one meetings. At these meetings, advocates are able to forge a deeper relationship, learn more about the consumer’s story, and figure out how they might get involved. Sarah Greenfield of TakeAction Minnesota says these meetings should happen shortly after an advocate first meets the consumer and continue on a regular basis. Meeting in person also provides the opportunity to capture videos, photographs, and to have consumers sign consent forms. If inperson meetings aren’t possible, it is essential to set aside plenty of time for a phone conversation.
Gauge the consumer’s comfort level
Some consumers will be ready on day one to meet with an elected official or speak at a press conference. However, most are not. For consumers who are a little wary of sharing their story or becoming a health care leader, Adam Searing of the North Carolina Justice Center encourages them to do something within their comfort zone, such as submit a letter to the editor or record a video testimonial. As consumers successfully complete their first actions, they will gain the confidence and experience to engage in advocacy in new ways.
Organize leadership development trainings
To build the advocacy skills of storytellers and other consumers who want to become leaders, Virginia Organizing and many other groups organize leadership development trainings where they educate consumers on health care issues and the role of advocacy in their state. Julie Blust says they also develop specific skills such as lobbying, crafting a message, working in coalition, and much more. Depending on your organization’s mission and resources, trainings can vary in size and formality. In some instances, it might make sense to partner with other organizations interested in training consumers and other volunteers. If your organization doesn’t have the expertise to hold such trainings, you could seek scholarships for potential leaders to attend trainings organized by Wellstone Action, the New Organizing Institute, or Midwest Academy.
Plug consumers into overall work
Once consumers have indicated that they want to do more than share their story, it’s critically important that you provide them with thoughtful advocacy opportunities, such as writing blogs, designing materials, or organizing a house party. Antoinette Kraus and Athena Ford of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) created a statewide grassroots messaging committee made up of many traditional volunteers and consumers who have previously shared their health care stories. Members of the committee call radio programs, write letters to the editor, and help identify trends in what the opposition is saying. By creating this committee, PHAN has increased their rapid response capacity and provided leaders with the opportunity to enhance their media and messaging skills. Whatever activity you ask consumers to do, it should be tailored to their interests, not take more time than they are willing to commit, and help them develop the skills they want to strengthen.
Create a special network
Suzanne Schlattman of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition creates a sense of community for consumers by including them in coalition meetings, calling them, and sending thank you notes and holiday cards that let them know how their story has had an impact. Through their conversations with Suzanne and other staff members at Health Care for All, consumers understand how their involvement fits into the greater advocacy community, and they get the opportunity to meet other consumers who have also struggled to find quality, affordable health coverage. Creating a sense of community should not be overlooked—it’s a great way to retain leaders and ensure consumers are always eager to share their story.
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