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from Michael Claeys, Community Outreach Coordinator, Parkinson's Action Network, (800)850-4726 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ 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)