Volunteer Your Time

Advocacy Ambassadors are committed to improving the lives of liver disease patients. They do that by advancing the American Liver Foundation’s (ALF) legislative priorities and advocating for change in government policies. They build and maintain strong relationships with their state and federal legislators as well as fellow ALF Advocates. Advocacy Ambassadors raise awareness and educate the public through participation in ALF initiatives in coordination with ALF staff and volunteer leaders.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Sign up for ALF Advocacy emails and respond to Calls-to-Action
• Maintain relationships and interact with state and federal legislators and their staff throughout the year; invite them to events as appropriate
• Request and coordinate meetings with state and federal legislators or staff as needed
• Recruit ALF Advocates to attend meetings to share their story with legislators
• Track and record summaries of legislator meetings, phone conversations, and other pertinent information upon completion of activity
• Stay apprised of ALF legislative priorities: attend virtual legislative briefings, read monthly newsletter, participate in Ambassador team calls/meetings
• Advise Ambassador Team Chair of local public awareness opportunities (e.g. Town Hall meetings, health fairs, partner organization walks) and coordinate to ensure ALF representation
• Participate in outreach event opportunities to educate others about ALF and encourage them to get involved (This includes attending an ALF Liver Life Walk if nearby.)

Qualifications

• Willingness to maintain a broad understanding of ALF and its mission
• Interest in and basic understanding (or willingness to learn) about the legislative process
• Comfortable speaking in front of groups of people
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and with others to manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision
• Have access to a computer, webcam and microphone, email, internet, and phone

Time Commitment

The time commitment varies month to month depending on advocacy initiatives and priorities. Terms last two years, but may be extended.

Reports to

Provide updates to your state Ambassador Team Chair (ATC); share event stories and photos as appropriate

Training & Support

An orientation to ALF and the volunteer program are provided and followed by training opportunities throughout the year. Regular virtual meetings will also take place to provide updates to all Ambassadors. You’ll have access to your state Ambassador Team Chair (ATC) and ALF staff for questions and support. ALF will always ensure that you have the tools necessary to fulfill this critical role in our Ambassador community.

Benefits

• Make positive changes on legislation that benefits the liver community
• Raise awareness of liver disease and health in your community
• Improve skills in leadership, public speaking, networking, and communication
• Connect with ALF staff and supporters through regular updates, training and event opportunities, and online community

Advocacy Ambassadors cannot use this title to support a legislative agenda not approved by the American Liver Foundation.

• Established expert in adult or pediatric hepatology or allied specialty (e.g., oncology, surgery, interventional radiology, etc) actively engaged in clinical, research, or combined endeavors.
• Willing to devote 1-4 hours per month to a National Innovator (Examples of an Innovator can include but is not limited to a recent graduate of a GI and/or Hepatology program, recent APP, PharmD, RN, or RD graduate specializing in GI/hepatology, early career GI/hepatology healthcare professional, healthcare professional in GI/hepatology seeking to gain advanced knowledge in the field of hepatology, a healthcare professional who conducts liver research or performs procedures relevant to liver related diseases or a medical, APP, PharmD or nursing student interested in pursuing a career in liver.) not limited to, but including, conversations relevant to:
• • Sharing expertise on liver health/disease
  • Career development/advancement advice/CV (if desired)
  • Network expansion
  • Publication authorship guidance
  • Honing skills in any areas that may benefit from further development (clinical practice/operations/management, research, collaboration, grantsmanship, presentation skills, etc.)
  • Challenging patient case discussions
  • Work/life balance (if desired by Innovator)
  • Importance of volunteering/philanthropy
  • Association with industry (pharma, specialty care)
  • Supervising support staff
  • Relationships with professional associations (AASLD, AGA, PCPs, OPOs, DDW, etc)
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration
• Support ALF’s mission by volunteering to share your expertise for ALF National Program presentations as appropriate
• Represent ALF by serving as media spokesperson when called upon
• Support ALF’s advocacy initiatives by participating in legislative visits, online letter writing campaigns, signing on to letters of support upon request
• Assist ALF in engaging GIs, PCPs, and other healthcare professionals
• Motivate patients and the public to use ALF’s resources, incorporate ALF slide in non-ALF lectures
• Lead by example by designating ALF as one of your charities of choice including an annual contribution
• Author or vet ALF literature as relevant to your area of expertise
• Assist in the development of curriculum
• Attend quarterly ALF meetings to share progress with mentee, provide guidance in terms of resources, and create strategies to expand our outreach
• Work with ALF staff to develop health screening initiatives throughout the US
• Pro-actively broaden ALF’s support network through introductions to national industry decision makers and thought leaders (pharmaceutical companies, medical device suppliers, associations for partnership)
• Actively contribute to ALF’s social media platforms
• Promote and attend ALF fundraising events

Benefits:

• Exposure on ALF Website and social media platforms
• Exposure for your institution on ALF Website and social media platforms
• Satisfaction in contributing to the career development of healthcare professionals
• Further enhance your reputation as a thought and community leader
• Increase referral and patient base as you assist in expansion of these networks on behalf of ALF
• Charitable contributions may be tax deductible

• Examples of an Innovator can include but is not limited to a recent graduate of a GI and/or Hepatology program, recent APP, PharmD, RN, or RD graduate specializing in GI/hepatology, early career GI/hepatology healthcare professional, healthcare professional in GI/hepatology seeking to gain advanced knowledge in the field of hepatology, a healthcare professional who conducts liver research or performs procedures relevant to liver related diseases or a medical, APP, PharmD or nursing student interested in pursuing a career in liver.
• Willing to devote up to 1-4 hours per month to work with an ALF National Medical Advisor not limited to, but including, conversations relevant to:
• • Increasing your knowledge of liver health/disease
  • Career development/advancement advice/CV (if desired)
  • Network expansion
  • Publication authorship guidance (if desired)
  • Honing skills in any areas that may benefit from further development (clinical practice/operations/management, research, collaboration, grantsmanship, presentation skills, etc.)
  • Challenging patient case discussions
  • Work/life balance (if desired)
  • Importance of volunteering/philanthropy
  • Association with industry (pharmas, specialty care)
  • Supervising support staff
  • Relationships with professional associations (AASLD, AGA, PCPs, OPOs, DDW, etc)
  • Collaboration with multi-disciplines in patient care
• Support ALF’s mission by volunteering to share your knowledge for ALF National Program presentations as appropriate
• Support ALF’s advocacy initiatives by participating in legislative visits, online letter writing campaigns, signing on to letters of support upon request
• Assist ALF in engaging your colleagues, GIs, PCPs, and other healthcare professionals
• Motivate patients and the public to use ALF’s resources, incorporate ALF slide in non-ALF lectures
• Lead by example by designating ALF as one of your charities of choice including an annual contribution
• Assist in the development of peer related marketing materials
• Attend quarterly ALF meetings to share progress with mentor
• Volunteer to work with ALF health screening initiatives
• Actively contribute to ALF’s social media platforms
• Promote and attend ALF fundraising events

Benefits:

• Exposure on ALF Website and social media platforms
• Exposure for your institution on ALF Website and social media platforms
• Career development strategies
• Network expansion
• Distance Mentors may be available to augment local mentorship
• Establish your reputation as a thought and community leader
• Charitable contributions may be tax deductible