Ask the contact person to take up the request to endorse with the organizational leadership, and then follow up once again. An email list serve will be created and shared with Steering Committee members, which can then share information with endorsers in their state. Also, Steering Committee members will be sent a current list of endorsers in their state, so they can facilitate networking within their state. Endorsement will come easier if one of their own members makes the request. The message must be tailored to physicians can talk about the way that physicians are directly affected by the health care crisis.
Endorsement works from the top down and the bottom up.
While sometimes, local organizations won't endorse until the national does, often local affiliates can encourage their national to endorse. This can be a key strategy for bringing larger national organizations on board. National organizations that sign on to U2K can work to urge local chapters to endorse, and can provide state groups with a contact list. For instance, Health Care for the Homeless has agreed to provide a list of their projects and clinics to facilitate outreach of state groups to HCH providers. To obtain contact information for an HCH project in your state, contact U2K staff.