Telling your story is easy and effective, and has the potential to engage elected officials and the public on a deeper level. To be truly effective, your story should leave a lasting impression with those who have heard it.

In this section, we've given you a few tools to get started and feel more confident telling elected officials why your work has value in your community.

Messages
ARRM has created messages for CEO's, professional caregivers, family members, and self-advocates. Click here to view the messages and storytelling tools for each group.

One-Pager for Staff
ARRM's tool for staff is a modifiable pdf document you can complete online, or print and complete, and give to your legislator(s).

One-Pager for Self-Advocates
ARRM's tool for self-advocates is a modifiable Word document you can complete and give to your legislator(s).

One-Pager for Families
This Word document can be customized by agencies and provided to family members at annual, bi-annual, or quarterly meetings. Insert your own language or graphics, and educate family members about the importance of grassroots advocacy.

Watch ARRM's Panel Discussion on Family Advocacy
Click here to watch the video (Windows format). Video may take some time to load. Approximate playing time is 20 minutes.

Watch the "How to Talk to your Legislator" Video Online
Watch a video on your computer that shows you how to talk to your legislator, in Windows and Quicktime formats.

For more information:
Sara Grafstrom,
Director of Advocacy and Community Relations
sgrafstrom@arrm.org
651-291-1086, ext. 8