Board members can be a source of information on community opinions and needs. They can participate in articulating the health care advocacy message by meeting with legislators, writing letters to and calling legislators, and educating and building support among their friends and colleagues in the community.

Catholic health care facilities can tap this valuable resource by:

• Informing all board members about health care policy issues and the facility's advocacy program through:
  • Board retreats and other educational sessions on health care issues
  • Health care policy orientation for all new board members
  • Periodic meetings and presentations on health care policy concerns
  • Reports on health care policies and advocacy at every board meeting
  • Inclusion of board members on the advocacy steering committee
    
    
• Conducting a survey of board members to determine their:
  • Willingness to participate in grassroots advocacy
  • Membership in community and civic groups having an interest in health care policy
  • Special relationships with legislators and other policymakers
  • Political activity
     
• Involving the entire board or certain members in grassroots advocacy, such as:
  • Serving on the health care advocacy steering committee
  • Writing letters and making calls at critical times
  • Meeting with legislators and policymakers
  • Speaking on health care policy issues and the facility's concerns before community or business groups