AMBASSADOR HANDBOOK 2017
Contents
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Welcome letter
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What is an Ambassador?
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Planned Parenthood’s Mission
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What we do
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Why we fight
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Reproductive Justice
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2016 Ambassador testimonials
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Developing your Story of Self
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Now what
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Contact Information
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Addendum: Citizen Lobbying 101
Ambassador Handbook 2017
Welcome... Dear Planned Parenthood Ambassador, First of all: Thank you. Thank you for standing with Planned Parenthood Association of Utah. In these uncertain times, our community must band together and stand strong. Together we will demand that access to health care and the information we need to live a healthy and rich life, remain in place. We won’t go back. It’s true that many Utahns are divided politically. But what unites us is more important than what divides us. Utahns of all backgrounds and convictions share a common belief: the importance of family. We believe in the rights of all people to choose when and whether to have children, to have access to the education and health care services that they need to make informed decisions and for the well being of their families. And no one believes in—and fights for—strong, healthy families more than Planned Parenthood Association of Utah. With your help we will take back the narrative about Planned Parenthood from those who spread misinformation about our work. Planned Parenthood strengthens the entire Utah family by: • • •
Providing nearly 46,000 Utahns with a full range of high-quality preventive health care and birth control. Educating more than 9,000 young people and adults about healthy relationships and sexual health. Providing unique community programs that help Utah’s young people lead safe, healthy lives and realize their full potential.
You are a key part of our communications plan. We are counting on you to help us tell the Planned Parenthood story to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. The materials in this kit will help you: 1. 2. 3.
Learn more about specific ways you can tell your story of Planned Parenthood. Have positive and constructive conversations about our role in the community. Connect with our ever-growing supporter network and ready to stand with Planned Parenthood when we need you most.
Once again, thank you for your time and involvement. We are so fortunate to have people like you working for reproductive rights for all members of our community. Sincerely,
Chief Executive Officer Planned Parenthood Association of Utah
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Let’s get started... What is Planned Parenthood of Utah’s Ambassador Program? The Ambassador Program is a way for supporters to stay informed and participate in Planned Parenthood Association of Utah’s community events and Planned Parenthood Action Council of Utah’s advocacy activities. We also encourage our Ambassadors to get creative by designing and engaging in grassroots activism independently in their own communities—with support from Planned Parenthood. 2016 ended with ominous election results, but Planned Parenthood isn’t going anywhere. We will march through 2017 and beyond in solidarity with you, our supporters. We will continue to bring visibility to the invaluable services Planned Parenthood provides. We will continue to teach Utahns about the need for reproductive justice across all communities and the vital part that Planned Parenthood plays in providing and protecting those rights. Our Ambassadors are essential in getting the story out and creating mass buzz around our efforts.
Sharing Authentic and Organic Stories Ambassadors can share the Planned Parenthood story in their own, unique ways. Ambassadors activate their social networks, share information, and strike up conversations with friends, family, and neighbors. Our Ambassadors help extend Planned Parenthood’s reach by talking to people in their interpersonal realm of influence who want to learn about Planned Parenthood. The purpose of Ambassador stories is to engage the open-minded, not to sway the close-minded.
Coming Together in a Meaningful and Powerful Way Our goal is to create and connect with the ever-growing supporter network. The Ambassador Program allows us to quickly disperse information and send out calls of action. The Ambassadors are at the ready when we need to fill the Capitol’s steps with pink or flood our representatives’ mailboxes with letters. Involvement in these events demonstrates to the public and lawmakers just how many people are impacted by Planned Parenthood’s work.
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Ambassador Handbook 2017
Our Mission... Planned Parenthood Association of Utah shares the vision of an equitable world articulated by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America: where sexual and reproductive rights are basic human rights, where access to health care doesn’t depend on who you are and where you live, and where every person has the opportunity to choose their own path to a healthy and meaningful life. Our mission is to empower Utahns of all ages to make informed choices about their sexual health, to ensure access to affordable, quality health care and education, and protect their right to do so.
The three-legged stool of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah
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What we do... Planned Parenthood provides high-quality health care to millions of people nationwide: 1 in 5 women have relied on Planned Parenthood at some point in their lifetime. In Utah, we have a strong 45-year legacy of providing accessible reproductive health services and accurate information with compassion, dignity, and care, and embrace the importance of healthy sexuality.
Providing Health Care Across the State
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Why we fight... At Planned Parenthood, we are working to create a world where sexual and reproductive rights are basic human rights, where access to health care doesn’t depend on who you are and where you live, and where every person has the opportunity to choose their own path to a healthy and meaningful life. Politicians continue to wage an unprecedented assault on access to reproductive health care, chipping away at access to safe and legal abortion, affordable birth control, and other basic preventive services. Everyday Planned Parenthood works to fight back against these attacks in our state legislature, in court, and throughout the community, expanding access to health care and education wherever we can. Collectively, we hear from our patients, the people we see in our education and outreach programs, and our supporters about the health care access they need and deserve. We know that these basic rights are the foundation of freedom and opportunity for women and their families. We give voice to what we hear every day from people of all walks of life all over the state of Utah. In solidarity with our patients, our supporters, and the thousands of women, men, and families whose lives and futures depend on access to comprehensive reproductive health care, we demand that these basic principles guide legislators and those in power as they consider policies that impact our health and lives.
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My Health, My Life. No matter what. Now more than ever, we need to fight for full equality in reproductive health care. Stand with us if you believe: 1
I deserve to decide when and if to have a child. My right and ability to decide this is essential to my family’s health and economic well-being.
2
My doctor must be able to provide me with medically accurate information and quality medical care based on the latest medical research — not based on political agendas or religious beliefs.
3
I should be able to access affordable, comprehensive reproductive health care — regardless of my race, the language I speak, my gender identity, my sexual orientation, who my employer is, or where I live. Cost should never be a barrier to accessing basic health care.
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I deserve access to sex education programs that give me, my friends, my kids, and everyone else the reliable, accurate information we need to make responsible decisions and stay healthy.
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6
I must be able to access abortion and other confidential reproductive health care services without coercion, intimidation, or harassment. If I or any other woman experiences sexual violence, there should be access to compassionate health care without delay, government interference, or intimidation. #MyHealthMyLife
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Reproductive Justice We believe that every person has the human right to: 1. Decide if and when they will have a baby and the conditions under which they will give birth. 2. Decide if they will not have a baby and their options for preventing or ending a pregnancy. 3. Parent the children they already have with the necessary social supports in safe environments and healthy communities, and without fear of violence from individuals or the government. Source: SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collectiove
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2016 Ambassadors
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Now it’s your turn... The most important thing you can do as a Planned Parenthood Ambassador is to share your story. Let’s do it!
Step 1: What is my objective? What goal do you want to achieve as an Ambassador?
Step 2: Why is this work important? What personal values move you to take action?
Step 3: What is my passion? What life experiences inspire you to fight for reproductive justice?
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Step 4: Develop your story Refer back to your answers in steps 1-3. Now tell your story using this framework.
I stand with Planned Parenthood because...
Remember... • Be positive, confident, and conversational. • Personalize each telling of your story depending on the situation in which you’re speaking and the person with whom you’re speaking—make it relatable.
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Now what... Connect with us on social media
• Join the Ambassador facebook group • Share our posts
Share your story with friends and family
Come to events
Be at the ready for action
Know how to contact your representatives (see addendum)
Get creative!
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For more info... www.ppau.org www.ppacutah.org www.proutah.org Facebook
@PPAUambassadors @PPACofUtah
Instagram @ppacutah
@ppacutah
Staff Contacts Kelsey Boyer Online & Community Organizer kelsey.boyer@ppau.org Liz Owens Director of Community Engagement liz.owens@ppau.org Katrina Barker Communications & Marketing Coordinator katrina.barker@ppau.org Heather Stringfellow VP of Public Policy heather.stringfellow@ppau.org
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Ambassador Handbook 2017
Citizen Lobbying 101 As a Planned Parenthood Ambassador, you will be asked to contact your legislator during the legislative session. This doesn’t have to be scary. Here are some tips. Finding your Legislator
Go to www.le.utah.gov to find: • •
Information about bills and hearing schedules How to contact your legislator
Phone Call Tips • • • • •
When to do it: When there isn’t time for a visit or letter because a vote has already been scheduled. Who you will speak with: Office staff; they usually take the call and forward the message on to the legislator. Verify that you live in the elected official’s district by giving your name and address. One subject per call Keep call short and to the point.
Examples:
“I support [bill name/number], because [list 2-3 reasons], and I urge [legislator’s name] to vote for this bill.” “I do not support [bill name/number], because [list 2-3 reasons], and I urge [legislator’s name] to vote against this bill.”
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Letter and Email Writing Tips First paragraph should clearly state: 1. That you are the elected official’s constituent 2. Your full name 3. Bill name and number if it can be identified 4. Your position on the issue 5. What you want your legislator to do One subject per letter Use your own words and experiences to describe how it affects you. If you know your legislator’s position on the subject, acknowledge it. Request a reply • If you receive a reply that supports your position, send a thank you note. • If you receive a reply that does not support your position, thank them for their response and write again to explain your stance and help them better understand your concerns.
Remember
Just like you, elected officials are citizens of Utah. If you stay on message, there is no incorrect way for you to lobby. You don’t need the legislators to like you, you need them to see you as a member of their community. A democratic society means that everyone has the right to participate in government processes and require accountability from their elected officials. Your voice matters.
Source: American Civil Liberties Union of Utah (ACLU), A Guide to Being an Effective Citizen Lobbyist, www.acluutah.org
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Ambassador Handbook 2017
Planned Parenthood Association of Utah 654 South 900 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 801-532-1586 www.ppau.org www.ppacutah.org Š 2017 Planned Parenthood Association of Utah