Our part in the partner-ship will be training and certification of tobacco treatment specialists. Two Lung Associations are taking advantage of the latest technology to provide a new cutting edge, grassroots advocacy system that allows people to respond immediately to action alerts online. If a person chooses to respond to the alert, they can click on a link that brings them to a pre-written letter, which they can customize if they wish. With another click, the person sends the letter, either in the form of an e-mail or a fax on personal stationery, directly to the targeted public official. With only a couple of mouse clicks, you can make a huge difference.
People can sign up to receive e-advocacy alerts through the association s web page.
The new system had more than 300 members signed up for their Advocacy Network as of early November, with new members coming through tobacco control listserves, coalitions in which the association is involved, and the ALA of California web site, among other sources. The ALA of California had conducted about 14 action alerts through the new system as of early November. It s a great example of how people can respond very quickly to an action alert with incredible ease. The committee voted 7-5 in favor of divesting the retirement system of tobacco stocks. I went back and posted a message telling members about the chairman s comment, because if you re writing one of these letters, you want to know you ve made a difference.