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District Activist Leader

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The District Activist Leader (DAL) program is the National MS Society’s high-level advocacy volunteer program. The program empowers people living with and affected by MS to share their personal story. District Activist Leaders build relationships while educating members of Congress about the Society’s federal policy priorities.  DAL’s are expected to engage elected officials and their staff throughout the year serving as an important resource to congressional offices on legislation effecting the MS Community. 

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Key responsibilities

  • Engage with your U.S. Representative via multiple avenues to help foster a relationship between MS activists and elected officials. 
  • Work with fellow activists to engage your U.S. Senators. 
  • Actively participate in the Society State Action Days and other activism events. 
  • Help determine which method of communication is most effective for receiving information from your elected officials and utilize it (ex.  email, mail, Twitter, Facebook, phone, tele-townhalls, etc) 
  • Monitor and track the elected official’s district activities and public events, determine which to engage in 
  • Help conduct at least 1 in-district legislative visits per year by leading and organizing visit scheduling, materials, and planning. 
  • Represent the Society by utilizing multiple media strategies to raise awareness for MS policy priorities including social media and print/online media. 

Expectations

To become a District Activist Leader you must:
  1. Complete the online application (below).
  2. Be interviewed by the Director of Grassroots Advocacy and your states government relations staff.
  3. Return the Society's conflict of interest form and volunteer consent waiver.
Please note that not all applicants are selected. 
  • Build a relationship with their Member of Congress, 
  • Respond to action alerts as a member of the MS Activist Network, 
  • Gain understanding of Society’s policy priority to professionally conduct meetings with elected officials, 
  • Complete interaction forms and, when needed, reach out to Society staff in a timely manner showing engagement in 75-100% of monthly DAL projects, 
  • Participate in quarterly networking and training webinars. 

Time commitment

This is an ongoing position requiring a time commitment of approximately 10-15 hours per month (some months more and some months less depending on legislative cycles) for a minimum of two years. Regular calls and meetings with Society government relations staff will be required to discuss progress and strategize next steps. (in-person or by phone).

Education and support

Training and support will be provided by Society staff as well as other volunteer leaders.

Join now

To volunteer, complete a volunteer application and a staff member will contact you with next steps. There will be a delay on applications between Janurary and April due to our Public Policy Conference and in August due to the Congressional August Recess - but know that we will follow up with you as soon as we can. Our team will be in touch as soon as they can!

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