Tell Me Why I Should Care: Advocating for What Matters to You Through the Lens of What Matters to Them

Session Description: Effective advocacy isn't about pushing harder on what you care about - it's about making others see how it connects to what THEY care about. Led by a former state legislator and a governor's former chief of staff, who are now on the other side of the desk as lobbyists, the presenters bring a combined 40+ years of advocacy experience. They have both received and directed millions of dollars in prevention funding, and understand firsthand how priorities are set, decisions are made, champions are cultivated, and where things go awry. Too often, advocates assume that elected officials or decision makers will automatically be their allies. However, without a clear connection between your priorities and theirs, even the most compelling issue can stall. You'll learn how to take highly technical information - such as complex medical terms or detailed research findings - and personal stories and translate them into clear, relatable, actionable language for people without specialized training, without oversimplifying or losing accuracy. Attendees will learn: How to quickly assess what matters most to those you need to influence. Strategies to reframe your issue so it resonates with their values, priorities, and pressures. Techniques for making complex, technical content understandable and compelling for any audience. Practical storytelling and data tips that connect emotionally and logically. You'll leave with a ready-to-use framework to strengthen your advocacy, improve partnerships, and drive meaningful change in the fight against the opioid epidemic.