An update from your Promise Campaign Volunteer Co-chairs, Lorraine Stiehl and Tom Glass.
Lorraine
Stiehl
I’m sure that all of you will agree that August was hot! Not only did most of the country experience record temperatures, our Promise Campaign ignited on August 1 also sizzled throughout the month! Thanks to all of the families in the areas of the 50 legislators with whom we either held or scheduled meetings during the month.
August had special significance for my family as well. Not only did we meet with our own Member, Congresswoman Susan Davis of San Diego, but my husband and I also celebrated 20 years of involvement with JDRF on August 25. It is a mixed celebration, of course. We had both hoped we would see a cure by now – but at least we are making great progress through research!
Even after all of our years of involvement with JDRF, we have found it is easy to get frustrated by the seemingly large task of scheduling and completing Promise meetings. The trick is to stay positive and realize that the first communication to a congressional office rarely leads to a meeting. It is only through persistence and patience that we will achieve our desired outcome of 400 meetings. As you continue to generate numerous calls and emails to congressional offices, remember that it is important to keep our JDRF mission in mind. Even if a meeting takes a long time to schedule and complete, the member’s staff will be regularly interacting with us – and will soon understand the passion, dedication and enthusiasm that each JDRF family has for finding the cure for diabetes.
Again, thanks for your heroic efforts in setting up Promise meetings. Let’s make sure our efforts remain “hot” through the fall!
Tom Glass
I want to thank everyone for their determination and hard work scheduling and completing meetings during the opening month of Promise. With around 50 meetings already having been held or on the schedule, we have a great deal of momentum heading into the fall and I know this well carry us well on our way to 400!
While we have seen early success I know some of you may be frustrated by the inability to schedule or even contact your legislator’s office. Please keep in mind while August was our primary goal this is a long campaign and the first phone call may not result in a meeting. Persistent communication will always lend to greater levels of success.
I had first hand experience with this during the last few weeks. Our advocates in Minnesota had successfully communicated with Senators Coleman and Klobuchar in addition to Representatives Klein and Ramstad in order to have our Promise Meeting completed during the month of August. As most of you are aware, Minnesota was dealt a major tragedy when a bridge collapsed in Minneapolis. Life was put on hold so we could deal with the events of that day and everyone’s priorities needed to shift on some level. Given the magnitude of the collapse, the senator’s attention was deservedly shifted to that.
Once things settled down a bit, the senator’s staff was gracious enough to work with me on rescheduling the meeting for another day. It took many phone calls and several attempts but we were finally able to meet and it was well worth the wait.
While it was not always easy I kept the lines of communication open and realized the meeting location, time, and date could change at a moments notice. It was easy to keep things in perspective given the events. I think you can take a similar approach to your meetings. Keep open dialogue between yourself and the member’s staff and always follow up with a phone call or email if need be. Continue to be as consistent as possible and follow the guidance the office scheduler provides you in order to secure a time to meet. Meetings are not always set and completed over night and it’s important to get started as early as possible in order to ensure a time is secured.
Keep up the fantastic work and don’t hesitate to contact the GR staff if you have any questions or concerns during the campaign.
Best of Luck!