Giving DOs a voice in the Washington state legislature and protecting the practice of medicine in Washington. Our success in advocacy is due to the combined efforts of our physician members and WOMA, developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with policy-makers throughout the state. Osteopathic physicians work in partnership with WOMA to protect the practice of medicine in Washington. You are the osteopathic profession's presence at the local level. With your support, we can be a stronger voice for DOs and patients throughout Washington.
Key Contacts are the heart of advocacy efforts for the osteopathic profession. While all DOs have a part to play in achieving advocacy goals, Key Contacts provide the most direct route for local legislator input on issues of importance to the profession. Physicians performing this role have the capacity to add huge value to the Association’s collective advocacy on behalf of the profession.
WHY BECOME A KEY CONTACT?
Successful advocacy depends on physicians developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with policy-makers throughout the state. You are the osteopathic profession's presence at the local level. You provide the most direct route for interaction with local legislators on issues of importance to the profession and enable DOs to play a "hands-on" role in shaping the future environment for the practice of osteopathic medicine in Washington. Volunteer now by choosing the Legislative Committee on the volunteer form (link to form)
To be an effective Key Contact, you will connect with your assigned legislators on more than one level and more than one occasion. Ultimately, you are responsible for educating legislators about your profession and securing their support on related issues. This is best accomplished over time through a series of sequential activities:
- Connect with the legislator at a local event or district office
- Conduct a follow-up meeting with staff in the legislator's office
- Invite the legislator to a clinic, hospital, campus, or other appropriate venue for a personal experience with the profession
- Maintain an on-going dialogue with the legislator on developments affecting the profession
- Act on bill alerts and requests for mobilization
- Attend fundraisers or community events in which legislators participate
- Educate legislators and their staff regarding WOMA’s legislative and policy positions
- Provide personal or financial involvement in legislators' political campaigns