What's a State Coordinator?

HWB-LC Coordinators are special people who selflessly speak on behalf of, and sometimes in conjunction with, representatives of the bullied workers in their states (37% of the workforce). Coordinators have the time and resources (and sometimes existing connections with politicians) to take the lead in driving their state's or province's campaign to find authors/sponsors for the anti-bullying Healthy Workplace Bill. They follow through with telephone calls and e-mails as required to work for passage of the bill. They do this on a part-time basis while holding jobs to earn a living.

How is a Coordinator different from a citizen lobbyist?

A State Coordinator is a "super" Citizen Lobbyist. All are volunteers. Coordinators are members of an elite team with its own website, teleconferences, training, customized materials and other resources. Coordinators are the ones who identify sponsors for the Healthy Workplace Bill and serve as the primary contact for the lawmakers to the movement.

Citizen Lobbyists are necessary when it's time to write and call lawmakers, to demonstrate that real-life constituents have stories of bullying worthy of attention. Citizen Lobbyists are the justification for any lawmaker to sponsor or co-sponsor or vote in favor of a bill. Coordinators have lists of the legislators in their state and some hold periodic meetings with other lobbyists.

What would I have to do?

A good candidate needs...

• To be able to discuss fluently Workplace Bullying as described in the writings of the Workplace Bullying Institute website and in the book, The Bully At Work, to speak beyond personal experience, to represent the facts (statistics) of the movement as well as the portrayal of personal, anecdotal stories.
• Have been bullied at work or lived vicariously through it as a family member, partner or close friend.
• Have passed one year since a period of severe stress, depression or PTSD. Have sufficiently healed without risk of re-traumatization. You need to be psychologically "free" to pursue legislation -- can talk about bullying with little to no emotion!
• Is comfortable making telephone calls asking for support (this is a SALES job)
• 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.
• Is an organized person naturally -- conducts research, creates good lists, follows up.
• Can visit lawmakers at local District offices
• Is willing to talk to the press when interviewed
• Can encourage others to take action
• Is willing to coordinate activities to support the larger, national, group on behalf of all bullied American workers. Including working on Freedom from Workplace Bullies week in October 2010.
• Is able to write op-ed pieces for local newspapers and to contact broadcast media with news about new legislation
• Has time and resources to travel at least twice per legislative session to the State Capitol for intensive lobbying
• Have readily available access to e-mail and be able to communicate with the group of coordinators every few weeks of your efforts and progress. Basic tech skills required.

What we provide

• Networking with other State Coordinators via an exclusive Legislative Campaign Blog.
• Exclusive Training though teleconferences & access to archived conferences.
• A step-by-step Healthy Workplace Bill Guide to Citizen Lobbying.
• Detailed coaching by phone and e-mail as specific obstacles or questions surface
• We will update our national website to reflect your achievements.
• Pass along Media contacts.

Disclaimer

We strive to protect the identities of HWB State Coordinators. But working with publicly elected officials on public bills in openly public state Capitol requires transparency. Coordinators and Citizen Lobbyists who who visit lawmakers, and especially those who testify at public committee hearings for the bill, will be asked to identify themselves for the record. All hearings are audio-recorded.

In some states, hearings are televised with the broadcast available for streaming or download from the internet. Lobbying for the Healthy Workplace Bill is not a task for which you should feel ashamed. But if personal privacy is required, you should not engage in this type of political activity.

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?

Before you Join: paragraph about how you should first be a citizen lobbyist and then a coordinator.

If you are interested in becoming a State Coordinator please e-mail us at
volunteer [at] healthyworkplacebill [dot] org or give us a call at 360.656.6630