MDA Implementing VoterVoice Grassroots Advocacy Tool
T
he MDA is pleased to announce that in the 2020 legislative session, we are introducing an online program called
VoterVoice (VV) to help members participate more fully in the legislative process. Members can learn more at
modental.org/votervoice.
Through the VV system, members will be able to easily contact their legislators to deliver MDA advocacy messages. VV offers a stream- lined interface, where members are alerted to the issue, matched to their correct elected officials, and guided through the message sending process in just seconds.
participate in advocacy, which is irreplaceable in helping the MDA achieve our legislative agenda,” said Shantel Smith, MDA Legisla- tive and Regulatory Director. “We feel using VoterVoice is going to be a great step toward that improved efficiency and effectiveness.”
VoterVoice was founded in February 2000 after its developer had worked on behalf of trade associations in Louisiana. With an insider’s perspective on the scale and operations of typical state and local business organizations and trade associations, the company developed a powerful, affordable
» OPT-IN TO TEXT ALERTS @
MODENTAL.ORG/VOTERVOICE
From the backend, the MDA will be able to help sort, match and map member advocates and their elected officials. For example, there may be times we will ask for all members to contact their respective legislators. Or, we may alert only those members who have an elected official serving on a particular com- mittee that is hearing a piece of legislation for which we want to advocate a particular stance.
“Our members have asked for something that is easier to get a message to their legislators on a busy practice day,” said Vicki Wilbers, MDA Executive Director. “In the past we would send an email and advise the advo- cacy message, but members had to look up their legislators’ contact information, draft an email and send it. When we send an alert, often time is of the essence. This new system will make that entire process so much simpler and we hope, that much more successful.”
Members still will get an alert via email, but they also will be able to opt-in to receive alerts by text to their mobile phone numbers. With just a few clicks and a few minutes’ time, they can have a message sent.
“Our goal is to continue to improve the information and tools members need to
16 focus | JAN/FEB 2020 | ISSUE 1
and manageable system that keeps support- ers and association members up to date on political issues and pro-actively drives partici- pation in the political process. It’s goal is to enable government relations professionals to share and leverage their intimate knowledge of the legislative process to their grassroots advocates. The company has become the online grassroots solution for more than 1,100 clients, and boasts extremely high client renewal rates and industry-leading customer satisfaction. The MDA looks forward to working with the new system and helping members get acclimated to the process.
SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED
1. As an MDA member, your contact information already is in the Voter Voice system so that when you receive an advocacy alert asking you to contact your legislator, your home address is connected with your state representative and senator.
2. While the system default is to send alerts by email, we encourage you to opt in to receive text alerts. Simply go to
modental.org/votervoice and the “Sign Up for Alerts” section on the right side of the page. Enter your email and zip code and on the next screen, complete your
information and check “Send me text alerts” and provide your mobile number. Now, when an alert is sent, you will get it through text and a link will be provided that takes you to the messaging process. Remember, we never provide/sell MDA member information (including emails and mobile numbers) to any outside entity.
3. It’s that simple! Now you’re ready to get emails and/or text messages when the MDA has an advocacy alert asking you to contact your legislators.
4. When an advocacy alert is sent, we will have a pre-written message that will highlight the important points we want to express. But also, you will have the option to edit the message if you wish to provide more information or to share your own personal example related to the issue. If you know the legislator well, you can even include a personal note such as, “it was good to see you this weekend at the community picnic. I appreciate your continued work and sup- port of this issue.” All of this is done from your device—desktop, laptop, tablet or phone—without having to enter any of your legislator information. The system delivers it once you click send.
5. Two other features you will see at mo-
dental.org/votervoice are “Find Legisla- tion” where you can enter any term and it will search all bills in Missouri and return results that contain that term. You also can “Find Politicians” based on your zip code, and from which, you will see contact information for Federal and State Officials. From this screen you can compose a message to any of those— even including President Trump—and see personal and political information on each. f
If members have any questions about using the VoterVoice system, please contact Melissa Albertson (melissa@
modentalmail.org or 573-634-3436, Extension 103).
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