from Michael Claeys, Community Outreach Coordinator, Parkinson's Action
Network, (800)850-4726
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New Initiative for the New Year

After ending 1997 with the historic passage of the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's
Research Act, the Parkinson's community enters 1998 with new legislative
priorities.  For those who haven't yet done so, the first task is to inform
your Representatives and Senators of the Udall Act's enactment as part of the
fiscal year 1998 Labor/HHS Appropriations bill, and to thank all those who
cosponsored the bill and voted for its passage.

Top priority for this year is to secure appropriations to fully fund the Udall
Act.  Reaching this goal will mean a renewed focus on strengthening the
national advocacy network and improving relations with Congress.  This Action
Advisory introduces a new initiative, the Community Action Team (CAT) program,
designed to help achieve these goals.  We ask that you review this proposal
and respond with your interest and input.

New Challenges

The Parkinson's community begins 1998 with obvious advantages over previous
years, and with new challenges.  As a free-standing bill, the Udall Act was an
effective rallying point for the community and provided advocates with
incremental goals and accomplishments (like signing up cosponsors) on the way
to passage.  Without the organizing and motivating influence of a Parkinson's-
specific bill, it is necessary to adapt the successful advocacy techniques of
1997 to the new legislative realities of 1998-- specifically, the complex
process of securing appropriations.  Succeeding in this legislative
environment will require Parkinson's advocates to focus their efforts on
improving two general areas:  community organization and communication with
Congress.

To ensure full funding to the Udall Act, greater emphasis will be put on
contact with the House and Senate Appropriations committees, in particular the
Labor/HHS Subcommittees.  This requires establishing and organizing effective
advocacy campaigns in the states and districts of each member of these
important committees, building strong relationships with those members and
their staffs, and communicating to them the needs and priorities of the
parkinson's community.

The Community Action Team Program

To meet these goals, we propose establishment of Community Action Teams
(CATs)--independent cells of advocates participating in a coordinated advocacy
campaign to provide greater organization within the Parkinson's community,
raise public awareness of Parkinson's and to communicate more effectively with
all levels of government.  CATs are not another parkinson's organizational
entity, or another level of bureaucracy.  Rather, the CAT network is a
practical system for building on the community's strengths and successes, and
organizing around commonly accepted goals.  The intent is to take advantage of
the experience and organization which already exists within the community,
expand it, and focus its efforts in productive ways.

(continued in posting 2 of 3)