Voices: Make Your Mark By Sharing Your Story!
Spread awareness and education by telling your story. Your personal experience and example can give hope to someone living with MS, give motivation to an event participant, give a voice to our media outreach efforts, and give a face to our advocacy efforts at the local, state or national level. You may not think you have an interesting story, but simply by being part of the MS movement, you have an experience worth sharing.
Some ways you can make your voice heard are by becoming:
- A Self Help Group Leader: Peer-led self-help groups provide much-needed support to people living with MS and those who love them. The monthly meetings and valuable connections could not occur without the dynamic leadership of group facilitators. The National MS Society supports interested volunteers through trainings, funding, staff support and communications.
- An Advocate: By joining our Advocacy efforts, you can take two routes: as an MS Advocate or an Issue Ambassador. MS Advocates follow upon periodic requests to contact legislators by e-mail, phone or written communications regarding important public policy issues. Requests are sent out by e-mail and include background information on the issues, clear instructions and sample communication to help members take action. Issue Ambassadors make personal visits to their legislators, in addition to their work as MS Advocates. The National MS Society provides in-depth training and continuing support for this rewarding work.
- A CHAMPS Partner: The CHAMPS program is the link between event participants and people living with MS. Event participants receive a collectible CHAMPS bandana personalized by someone living with MS, symbolizing a connection between the fundraising and our mission. The event participant essentially walks or rides in your honor, which fosters education, awareness and friendship.
- A Story Bank Contributor: Share your personal story by filling out our Share Your Story form As a story bank contributor, we will catalogue your story and use it in future publications or media pitches, to help personalize our mission and spread awareness. We are also building an MS Ambassadors program for people who are willing to share their story by speaking at events and community fairs.
- Contributing Writer: Peer to peer communication is often times the most effective form. We are always looking for contributing writers for our e-newsletters and print publications, including the MS Connection Newsletter. Contributing writers can write about their experience and expertise, including everything from your personal testimonial to professional advice and coaching.
- To learn more about any of these opportunities, please call your local Community Development manager at 1-800-344-4867 (press 2), or fill out our online interest form for further information.