News & Alerts

NBCC Advocate Toolkit 

August 2024 Congressional Recess  

August 2-Sept 8, 2024

The August congressional recess is a critical time for advocacy as well as an important opportunity to build on recent momentum toward achieving our NBCC priorities. During the whole month of August, members of Congress will be home in their states and districts to hear from constituents, and it is time for us to weigh in. Members of Congress are more likely to be hosting town halls, participating in constituent-facing events, and engaging on social media. The August recess also provides a unique opportunity to engage local advocates who normally do not travel to NBCC in-person lobby days, as well as to build your local network of breast cancer advocates! 

Here are some ways to engage your members of Congress during their recess: 

1. Meet the member in their district office(s). If you need help finding district office staff information, contact Maggie Bush (mbush@stopbreastcancer.org). All current cosponsor lists and target lists are kept up to date on the Team Leader Resource Page.  
2. Speak up at a Town Hall event. Many members hold public events during their recess. Pull together a group of local NBCC advocates to attend these event(s) and speak up about NBCC priorities – including asking key members to cosponsor the MBCACA.  
3. Alert the media to increase public pressure. Utilize the resources below to alert local media outlets to NBCC’s work in the 118th Congress.  
4. Spread the word on social media. Help build visibility for breast cancer advocacy by bringing our message to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook! See our tools below.  

In This Toolkit 

District Office Meeting Resources  

• The list of current MBCACA cosponsors, and legislators to target, are kept current on the Team Leader Resource Page.
• Meeting request sample
• Updated talking points: what Congress needs to hear from NBCC this August  
• Sample Blurb to Request Members to Place in Newsletters
• Following any meeting with congressional staff, please be sure to fill out our post-meeting report and let us know if you need assistance with immediate action steps or questions that arose during your meeting!  

Town Hall Meetings  

Many members hold public events during their recess. Follow your member on social media, check their website, or even call their local district office to see when they will host any public meetings or opportunities to connect. Pull together a group of local NBCC advocates to attend these event(s) and speak up about NBCC priorities – including asking key members to cosponsor the MBCACA. 

• Sample volunteer announcement: encourage local advocates to attend events! 
• Sample questions to ask members of Congress at town hall meetings  
• Printable Poster for Townhalls

Media & Social Media Tools 

• August Recess Social Media Guide
• Local Media Tips
• Press Release template

Keep us posted on your efforts! Please contact Maggie at mbush@stopbreastcancer.org if you successfully place media locally or attend a town hall event.