take a break for health care

Organizing Tips:

The Goals of “Take a Break for Health Care”

Your union is working to provide more information to its members and the public about the causes of the health care crisis and what can be done about it.

Between November 17 and December 5, union activists and health care reformists from across the state will mobilize for a health care education campaign with Jobs with Justice. The campaign will give people a chance to both express their opinion on the “Health Care for All” solution and to become actively involved in the reform movement.

We would like you to lead a short discussion (no more than 10 minutes) about health care reform at a meeting with your co-workers, neighbors and/or friends.

Tips for Setting up Your Meeting

• If held in the workplace, be sure to use a non-work area, on non-work time.
• Let people know about the time and place for the meeting a day or two in advance.
• Familiarize yourself with the linked educational flyers, as well as the ballot and pledge cards.
• Be sure to have enough copies of the materials for everyone who attends, and bring extra pens if possible.

Suggested Agenda for the Meeting

• Explain the purpose of the meeting, and then have everyone introduce themselves.
• Distribute the educational flyers to each person. Give everyone a chance to review them, and then present the talking points about the health care crisis and the “Health Care for All” reform solution.
• Ask participants if they have any questions or comments. Answer their questions if you can, otherwise write down the question and tell members that you will get back to them with an answer. Listen respectfully to any comments. Remember that it is probably not best to argue for or against what they say.
• Pass out the health care ballot and pledge cards near the end of your meeting. Ask people to vote to indicate their opinion about the “Health Care for All” reform approach. If they are interested, urge them to become more involved in helping to win reforms by filling out and returning the pledge card. Encourage everyone to take the educational flyers to share with their family or friends.
• Collect the ballot and pledge cards and thank everyone for their time and consideration.

After the meeting

• Fill out the meeting evaluation form.
• Return the ballots and the evaluation forms to your union or to Jobs with Justice.
• Get answers to any questions that have been asked by contacting Jobs with Justice or any of the health care reform organizations listed on the educational flyers.

Questions? Call Jobs with Justice at 617.524.8778.