What's a citizen Lobbyist?

Healthy Workplace Bill Citizen Lobbyists work as amateur lobbyists educating their own elected House Representatives, Senators, Members of Legislative Assembly, and Members of Provincial Parliaments.

Citizen Lobbyists are just normal folks who have been affected by Workplace Bullying, wither though direct experience, a friend or loved one. For them politics is not a job. They are different from paid, professional lobbyists who do it for a living.

Citizen Lobbyists are involved because the topic of Workplace Bullying influences their lives so relentlessly they desire to fix it. They must influence elected officials to do the right thing based on the merits of the argument and the power of their personal, anecdotal story.

What would I have to do?

You will need to be able to...

• Make telephone calls, send e-mails, write letters to your elected representatives on behalf of the Campaign.
• Be willing to tell your experience to legislators and the news media.
• Understand the Phenomenon of Workplace Bullying and be willing to speak as a representative for the Campaign.
• Understand what the Healthy Workplace Bill represents
• Communicate & collaborate with like-minded advocacy groups.
• Take criticism and Rejection. Its all a part of the legislative process, you will be told "No" many times.
• Encourage and support others who are involved in the campaign.
• Be willing to speak or give presentations to legislative officials.
• Effectively argue the bill and be able to counter arguments in a calm and professional manner.
• Plan ahead. The position often requires traveling at least twice a year to the state capitol.

Volunteer lobbying that requires you travel at least twice a year to the state Capitol and to spend several lunch hours and evenings meeting with politicians or attending events you are asked to attend. Make sure that you can balance work and family with volunteering.

I'm currently being bullied, can I join?

Take care of your health first

The workplace bullying phenomenon is characterized by different stages. In the earliest stages, it's all about the flooding of emotions, mostly negative combined with behavioral paralysis -- the deer in the headlights feeling. Shortly after you recognize how you have been targeted, the pain of the experience starts to sink in. Depression, doubt, self-blame, shame, guilt, and a host of disturbing physical symptoms often begin. Much, much later near the time of resolution, you might get angry for what has happened to you, knowing that you did nothing to invite the misery upon yourself.

Sad to say, but true, you cannot help the cause, lobby for the bill or testify during the early, acute stages. Your wounds are too raw. It would be more damaging for you to be attacked by opponents of the legislation.

Stay home, heal, get treatment, get stronger.

However, if you are justifiably mad, relatively immune from retaliation and prepared to testify and lobby in public, sign up to help.

Help in other ways

Short of testifying is letter writing, telephoning and e-mailing. Match the stage of your bullying to the tasks demanded of Citizen Lobbyists. Don't ask more of yourself than is physically or psychologically comfortable. You can always help the coordinator from your state.

We don't want to discourage you from volunteering, we would just like you to put your health first. If you are interested in helping out but would like to wait until your health improves feel free to send us an e-mail and we'll keep you updated. volunteer [at] healthyworkplacebill [dot] org

I work for the government, Can I join?

If you are a government worker, you must inquire about the ethicality of lobbying for state legislation. There may be rules prohibiting it or limiting political speech.

Sounds Great! How can I join?

Now comes the fine print cautionary warning: To be an effective Citizen Lobbyist for the anti-bullying cause, you must be willing to be led by the national team at the Healthy Workplace BIll which has created this movement and insists on compliance with its methods. Additionally to honor its copyrighted materials (including the text of the Healthy Workplace Bill) and to stay on message to conform with its long-term campaign strategy for legislative reform.

The good news: if you want to join an elite group of volunteer reformers across the country with the shared experience being bullied, join the movement recognized as one of the seven "hottest 2008 legislative topics" for employers to watch, register below.

Use the following form to sign up!

Your Name:

Where you Live: Pick your state Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

City:

Your E-mail Address:

Phone Number:

Once you fill out this form you will be connected with the Healthy Workplace Bill coordinator in your State. Your personal information will not be shared with any 3rd parties.

Please type the verification image below to proceed.