MOBILIZING SENIORS – EX: COMMUNICATION SURGE

Aug 6, 2017

2 min read

Objective: Encourage seniors to create a surge of communications to educate key elected officials

As you walk into the room, turn off the lights for a brief moment.
You immediately have the attention of the occupants. Seize the moment by asking:

“How would you feel if I were to tell you that I came in to announce we are turning out the lights and closing this building?”

Allow a few comments before announcing that your housing/livelihood, as they know it, is threatened by the failure of the legislature fix the budget.
Briefly summarize the proposed action:
Balance the budget now, Adopt a better measure of poverty for older adults, Improve Economic Security, Strengthen supports for caregivers, Expand elder justice resources, Secure state & local #government commitment to older adults.
Discuss the implications, ramifications, etc. of the proposal: Senior homelessness will skyrocket or without a balanced budget, senior centers will be forced to close. Safety net programs and meal services will no longer be provided.
Explain that now is the time for seniors to educate their elected representative and/or key elected officials:

Provide seniors a list of key elected officials along with contact information, to include: district office and Sacramento office numbers
Ask the seniors to call each of the elected officials listed by (insert date).
Share the talking points provided by #SaveOurSeniors, or other organizations that coordinate advocacy and outreach activity.
Answer the questions about the proposed action and/or talking points. Remind them that this is their opportunity to educate key elected officials.
Encourage the natural senior activists to motivate the others to take action.
If not yourself, inform them of who is the point of contact/staff or volunteer lead for this effort and how they can be contacted.
Ask them to provide follow-up reports on their experiences interfacing with the elected officials.

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