Under the direction of the Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, the Advocacy Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of, and the volunteer leadership development for, the Chapter Public Policy Department. This position initiates and tracks specific state and federal advocacy activities to achieve department metrics; works collaboratively with other departments to increase awareness, advances recruitment and relationship building with advocates in every congressional and targeted state district’s, and collaborates with public policy staff to maintain and grow the advocacy base through various technologies.
The Public Policy Department is actively involved in local, state and national activities, working with and on behalf of people with Alzheimer’s and their family members. This position is critical to developing chapter capacity to attain and/or exceed the Nationwide Strategic Plan goals for Public Policy and Advocacy.
This position is based in the Chapter office in Chicago, IL and reports to the Vice President, Public Policy.
- Recruit, train and engage volunteer advocates in the chapter territory with an overall goal of increasing the number of advocates and their levels of participation
- Assist is the creation and execution of aggressive grassroots advocacy plan of action for state and federal legislative priorities
- Assist in implementing year-round integration of advocacy with other organizational events including Walk to End Alzheimer’s and The Longest Day
- Plan and implement logistics for programs and events that include state and federal elected officials such as Town Hall meetings, Coffees With Congress and legislative engagements
- Develop clear and consistent communication with advocates and volunteer leadership including Ambassadors, ACT members and State Champions Write and disseminate advocacy updates
- Write and disseminate recruitment and action alerts
- Assists in writing educational materials on policy issues and submits draft website content and newsletter materials in support of advocacy efforts
- Assists advocates in letter-to-the-editor campaigns
- Develop written materials to be utilized in federal and state advocacy programs
- Aid in recruiting and organizing of advocates attending the annual National Public Policy Forum in Washington DC.
- In collaboration with supervisor, schedules in- district and Forum meetings with federal delegation and target members of Illinois General Assembly
- Aid in recruiting and organizing of advocates attending the annual Illinois Advocacy Day in Springfield
- Represent the Chapter at legislative health fairs, workshops and other health policy related events
- Assist in the recruitment and retention of AIM (Alzheimer’s Impact Movement) annual memberships
- Keeps accurate and effective up-to-date files, records and systems for all advocacy efforts
- Track all key federal and state metrics on Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) database
- Implement plans to increase advocacy participation in awareness campaigns, including but not limited to, obtaining reservations for the Illinois Alzheimer’s Association license plates and raising awareness for Silver Search
- Assist in maintaining and growing the public policy department’s social media and online presence
- Assist in the development of advocacy videos and webinars
- Administrative responsibilities include but are not limited to
- Scheduling events and meetings
- Consistent communication with Ambassadors, ACT members and State Champions
- Tracking advocacy activities in database
- Creating event invitations
- Creation of various presentations
- Assist in creation of advocacy manuals and other educational materials & factsheets
- Periodic mailings
- 2-4 year’s work/volunteer experience in public policy, equivalent grassroots organizing or campaign experiences
- Must have a vehicle, valid driver’s license and proof of valid insurance
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate in-person, by phone, and through written communication and with diverse populations
- Keen analytical skills to conduct research, stay abreast of legislative activity, and recognize and communicate new opportunities for advocacy
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively and mobilize volunteers
- Strong organizational skills to multi-task in a fast-paced and fluid environment
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Powerpoint, Google Suite, Social Media
- Position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends to meet community needs; frequent irregular hours, high volume of public contact
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 15%