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What is a Legislative
Briefing?
Safe Staffing Legislative Briefings are an opportunity for MNA members and their
allies to meet with state legislators in their home districts.
The objective of the first hour of the briefing is to familiarize MNA members
with the political and legislative process in Massachusetts, with an emphasis
on House Bill 1186 – safe staffing legislation.
In the second hour of the briefing, MNA members are joined by their state senator
and representatives. Legislators are briefed on H. 1186 and then nurses
and legislators have an opportunity to begin a dialogue about the current staffing
conditions in Massachusetts hospitals and the effects on nurses and patient care.
These briefings have been a great opportunity for nurses to initiate an ongoing
relationship with their local legislators and for legislators to meet some of
their constituents.
If you would like to become part of this effort, read on.
How to Set up a Legislative Briefing
Initial Organizing:
- Call senator
and key reps from district to set
a date and time – best times are early mornings during the week or anytime
on Fridays. Ask them for one hour meeting and explain that it will be
with nurses from their district to talk about nurse staffing conditions in
hospitals and the effects it is having on patients.
- Secure location.
Try libraries, town halls, union halls – most are free or low cost.
One month out:
- Send invitations
to all MNA members in district (MNA staff)
- Send invitations
to all legislators in district (MNA staff)
Two weeks out:
- Mail postcard
to all MNA members in district (MNA Staff)
- Call all legislators
in district to confirm attendance
One week out:
- Call MNA members
in district to increase turnout
Day before:
- Confirm room
set-up
- Confirm number
of attendees
- Place order
for food
Day of event:
- Pick up food
- Arrive ½
hour before event to complete set-up
Post Event Follow Up:
- Thank you letters
to legislators (MNA and local members)
For more information contact:
Kate Anderson, MNA Associate Director of Legislation & Government Affairs,
781.830.5713, kanderson@mnarn.org
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