B. Schneeman, B. Williams, American Heart Association, Dallas, Texas

Participants at the second Cardiovascular Health Practitioner’s Institute were divided into three groups and presented with two challenging scenarios for application advocacy and communications skills including lobbying, grassroots efforts, partnership/coalition opportunities and media.

The first scenario focused on a community applying for grant funds to educate members on stroke warning signs and symptoms, that stroke is a medical emergency and to call 9-1-1 for help. The second scenario provided for physical activity and nutrition efforts to be linked to a state "senior games".

During the reporting period, three very different approaches to both scenarios were presented. Each group used a combination of the advocacy tools to achieve the scenario objective and each group was correct in their approach. For instance, one group focused the stroke scenario into a call to action campaign resulting in a successful public vote in adding a surcharge to the local phone bill to cover enhanced 9-1-1 services so that those experiencing a stroke could be located.

Advocacy and communications skills can be applied in a virtually infinite number of ways. The challenge lies in matching the correct tools with the situation and being flexible to change the approach should the situation warrant.