This fall, the Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (FABBS) is partnering with the American Psychological Association (our largest member society) in a District Science Lobby Week to get interested scientists involved in advocacy efforts on behalf of our sciences.

 To accomplish this, APA and FABBS will provide a brief, comprehensive advocacy training for scientists to help them prepare for and conduct a visit with their Member of Congress when these elected officials are back home in their districts before the November, 2012 election.

  The purpose of the visits will be to highlight why federal investments in funding for our sciences are important. The training will include instruction on:   ·        

Setting up the meetings ·        

Visiting the district office ·        

Sticking to the message ·        

Preparing research highlights to leave behind ·        

Maintaining contact after the visit

The time commitment for individual scientists is minimal and yet could prove important in developing a long-term relationship with elected officials who vote on federal funding legislation for our sciences. Space is limited, so please sign up now.  

 There are three easy steps to participating:

1.       Participate in a 1-hour, science advocacy webinar on September 21, 2012 from 3:00-4:00pm EASTERN (the webinar will be recorded for those unable to participate on this day);

2.       Schedule and conduct a meeting with your Member of Congress in the district office at some point between October 9-12, 2012; and,

3.       Provide feedback to us on the process and what you learned from your representative.

 We would appreciate your sharing this information with scientists in your society. Those who are interested in participating can then register at: http://bit.ly/MFA4Qo. (Scientists should identify their primary society when registering so that we can track the level of interest across our member societies.) We will use the email address submitted during the registration process for further communications about the advocacy initiative.  

Thanks for your time and support. If you have any questions, please contact Paula at pskedsvold@fabbs.org  

Cordially,

Paula Skedsvold, JD PhD

Executive Director

Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences

 Steven J. Breckler, PhD

Executive Director  for Science

American Psychological Association