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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PAGE
2008 LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
COMMITTEES THE FVMA WILL BE WORKING WITH DURING
THE 2008 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
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2008 LEGISLATIVE BILLS THAT FVMA IS MONITORING
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CONTACT YOUR STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES TODAY
(Note: This link works best if you know your Zip+4 Postal Code)
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Become Involved in the Local Election Process in 2008
It is the Best Way For Our Profession to Get ready for Important
Legislative Challenges Facing Us in 2008
We Need FVMA Members to Get Involved in the Campaigns of Local Legislators.
Download PAC Commitment Form
FVMA Government Relations Consultant, Ken Plante, reminds you that, as a veterinarian, you have a high level of credibility with elected officials. "As a small business owner, you are an important constituent - a voter who can significantly influence the election outcome in terms of who will represent your district in state government. Elected officials are sensitive to your views and wish to hear from you, especially if they know and respect you."
If you think it is not worthwhile to get involved in campaigns and to take time to express your opinions to your representative in Tallahassee, remember that those who disagree with FVMA objectives are doing it constantly.
Successfully shaping the opinion of the elected official on legislative issues, almost always involves some form of personal communication from a constituent. Concerns communicated by you as a constituent in a letter, telephone call or visit always rate the highest with any politician.
(A) Your Elected Representative
Becoming Involved in a Local Election Campaign is Not Complicated
The successful history of FVMA’s legislative achievements indicate that having our members actively participate in the local election process is an extremely important factor in reaching the goals of veterinary medicine. The good news is it is fairly easy to get involved. Here is what you need to do.
1. Make a financial commitment to a candidate. ($100 goes a long way). Less than 1% of eligible voters make any donation to a campaign. Most contributions are less than $100. Obtaining financial support for local candidates is a critical component of the FVMA’s government relations strategy. A Washington, D.C. political consultant put it well when he said, "Successful government relations is like a three-legged stool supported by effective lobbying, grassroots contacts and financial support. Take away any leg and the stool won’t stand." Your donation does not "buy" the allegiance of the candidate; it assures you of "access" to them in the future. It places you in their inner circle of constituents that helped them get elected.
2. Arrange one-on-one meetings with them; indicate you are a member of the FVMA and that you will be consulting with them on animal health care issues of concern to your profession.
3. Attend debates and keep your eye on the local news. Respond in writing or by a phone call to the candidate’s position on issues that affect you.
4. Consider placing a yard sign at your place of business or home. Providing high visibility for their campaign signage is a big help to any candidate.
As stated, as a practicing veterinarian, politicians regard you as a leader with your employees and your clients in the community. Your grass roots participation and ongoing input in these four suggested ways is of tremendous assistance to any candidate for the Legislature
All politicians vividly remember those special few people who helped advance their careers. In the future, when important issues arise that affect you as a veterinarian, the lawmaker will certainly remember your kind support and be very willing to listen to your point of view. In light of the general apathy among the general public, the FVMA can assure you that a modest effort made by you during the campaign to show your support of a candidate will be appropriately remembered.
(B) FVMA-Program Channels Additional Support to Legislators That Can Help Us the Most.
The financial facts of political life are clear. As leaders in your community, veterinarians are expected to fund local candidates. The FVMA- Committee of Continuous Existence (ECC) program is a very effective way individual veterinarians can effectively demonstrate their support for an individual candidate. Your contribution helps that candidate to gain or remain in office.
Chairman Stephen Shores informs us that: "The FVMA CCE program provides members who might otherwise not become involved in politics with an effective way of protecting our profession. The Program increases the impact of your personal contribution because it is pooled with those received from many other veterinarians with similar interests.
If you have not done so, please get involved. Write a check for $75.00 to the FVMA-CCE and send it to:
Florida Veterinary Medical Association
7131 Lake Ellenor Drive
Orlando, FL 32809.
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