Identify yourself as an MS activist. Connect with other MS activists and public officials.
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To seek out and follow your public officials on Twitter, consult C-SPAN’s list of Members of Congress on Twitter.
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To find and connect with your public officials on Facebook, use Facebook’s search function or visit each official’s website and look for Like buttons or links to Facebook. If you’re concerned that a Federal official’s page or profile on social media seems “unofficial,” you can verify it online.
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Seek out other MS activists and the conversations that you care about, including following activism-related posts on the Society’s blog, #MSactivist at search.twitter.com (other hashtags of interest: #MS , #MSresearch), and trending issues—you’ll know them when you see them or when @MSactivist tweets them, for example #UNCRPD, #NIH, #MSCDMRP or #CDMRP.
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Speak out!
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Facebook—update your status with something like this:
I am an #MSactivist. Multiple sclerosis affects my life (add a brief personal note sharing how). To support me on issues that affect families facing #MS please Share this and Like @National Multiple Sclerosis Society
A Facebook tag—the “@” symbol preceding a user or page name—only creates a tag if you Like that user’s profile/page. The successful tag should automatically change the name to a hyperlink—and the @ symbol will disappear. Feel free to include @National Multiple Sclerosis Society or indicate that you are “with” your local page.
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Twitter—send a tweet like this:
I am an #MSactivist – join me & support people w #MS. Please RT & follow @MSactivist
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Educate your public officials about MS and the needs of people affected by MS.
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Facebook—visit your officials’ pages to:
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Comment on their posts – your comments and Likes let officials know that you are paying attention. Use appropriate hashtag(s) (#MS) in your comments to ensure that others pay attention too!
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Post your own message like:
As a constituent and an #MSactivist, I urge you to support the interests of people living with multiple sclerosis. #MS is an unpredictable, often disabling disease – the exact cause is unknown, and there is no cure. (add a brief personal note if you wish)
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Don’t be disappointed if your official doesn’t respond. Officials and their staff are still learning social media just like the rest of us!
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Twitter—mention your official in a tweet like this:
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A Twitter mention—the “@” symbol preceding a user handle—directs your tweet to the intended recipient as if to engage them or other tweeters in conversation. Again, don’t be offended if your official doesn’t response
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@official (replace “official” with your official’s Twitter handle) As a constituent and #MSactivist I urge you to support interests of people w #MS.
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Continue the conversation – Thank and respond to your public officials.
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Publically THANK your officials when they respond and/or support your issues (cosponsorship, votes, etc)—through Twitter or Facebook.
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Respond to contacts from your officials and their staff—ask the Society for help or advice if you need it.
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Retweet @MSactivist and follow recommendations. Always use hashtag #MS and/or #MSactivist. “Mention” your officials as often as appropriate using the @ symbol in front of their user handle.
Ask others to join you as a digital MS activist!