Salary: 40000 / Yearly	Location: Houston, TX
Type: Contractor	Zip Code: 77054

Assist the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA) in Texas by insuring that policy and regulations being considered in Houston further the mission of the association.

In order to achieve this objective, the Advocacy firm/individual will do the following, but is not limited to:

1. Attend all meetings held by the AHA/ASA dealing with identified mission related policy issues, including those meetings where the AHA/ASA will be taking positions, developing a strategic vision or giving updates to key volunteers and/or members.

2. Enhance the American Heart Association’s relationships with Parent-Teacher Organizations, Student Organizations, Neighborhood Organizations, Business Organizations, Community Coalitions, Health-related groups by setting up strategic meetings with key decision makers. Meet one-on-one with members of Houston’s community action groups to persuade them to support the AHA's public policy issues.

3. Proactively assess neighborhoods, City of Houston districts and communities on their willingness to live healthier lifestyles, as well as the possibility of AHA/ASA’s impact and offer possible issues and ideas.

4. Monitors identified mission related issues in the City of Houston and provide ongoing consultation on the issues, opportunities for collaboration and organize support for these events.

5. Assist the Association with researching, writing and strategy to support lifestyle change in the City of Houston.

6. Submits weekly written status reports on identified mission related policy issues to AHA/ASA. Weekly reports shall be emailed to the Affiliate Vice President of Advocacy on Friday in a template that may be provided by AHA Advocacy staff.

7. Provides consultation on community organizing, media and volunteer recruitment strategies to AHA/ASA. Coordinates with AHA/ASA staff on all strategies.

8. Checks all health related policy issues that are being discussed in the City of Houston for relevance to AHA/ASA.

9. Checks hearing, town hall and community gathering schedules and notifies AHA Advocacy staff of relevant meetings as soon as possible.

10. Identifies City of Houston districts and neighborhoods that might not support healthy lifestyle change and works with the Community Outreach Coordinator on ways to positively influence these targeted districts including leading educational outreach activities, town halls, community forums, staffing conference booths, attending networking luncheons or anything deemed mission related by the AHA/ASA staff.

11. Attends relevant meetings of AHA as needed. These may include, but are not limited to: grassroots action team meetings, board meetings, public policy education forums, and coalition meetings as appropriate.

12. Provides a final summary report outlining actions taken on identified mission related policy issues, including a detailed analysis of successes and failures. This shall be completed and submitted to the VP of Advocacy 30 days before the contract’s end.

13. Attend meetings as specified by and/or with the Vice President of Advocacy and/or the Regional Vice President of Advocacy, dealing with adoption of healthy lifestyles, including those meetings where the AHA will be developing a strategic vision or giving updates to key volunteers and/or staff. This also includes any help that may be needed developing educational papers on the American Heart Association’s issues.

14. Serve as a member of the AHA/ASA’s strategy team to lead a personal call to action campaign in adoption of healthy lifestyles for the City of Houston.

15. Assist Community Outreach Coordinator in utilizing social media tools, as well as coordinate with AHA/ASA grassroots and advocacy staff to educate volunteers, various coalitions, community leaders and stakeholders on policy initiatives, meetings, upcoming meetings and/or votes.

Additional AHA information. This person’s title would be Community Advocate and would serve in a Director capacity for an AHA/ASA lifestyle change campaign that will be disclosed to the winning firm/individual. The Community Advocate will report to the Affiliate Vice President of Advocacy with the assistance of the Regional Vice President of Advocacy and will day to day work collaboratively with the Community Outreach Coordinator (field organizer/ public health educator).

Qualifications. The ideal firm/individual should have no less than three years experience in community organizing, political campaigns or public policy campaigns. They should demonstrate their ability to lead a winning campaign and provide proof of their successes. They should also have experience working with volunteer organizations, as well as individual volunteers. Experience working with non-profits is a plus, but not a requirement.

Conflicts of interest. The Advocacy firm shall not represent the tobacco or restaurant interests of any business during the length of this contract, nor contract with or represent any other person or entity whose interests are in direct conflict with those of AHA/ASA, except as specifically authorized by AHA/ASA in writing. A list of clients will be provided to the AHA for the association’s perusal.

Confidential and nondisclosure Information. During the course of providing Advocacy and consulting services under the contract, the Advocacy firm should not at any time use for his/her own benefit or disclose to any person any confidential information. The Advocacy firm will exercise all due care and take all reasonable precautions to prevent the disclosure of confidential information. These restrictions should apply both during the term of the contract and following the termination of the contract for a period of one year.

Required filings. In accordance with Texas's ethics laws, the Advocacy firm agrees to file any necessary registration and disclosure forms required by law.

Statement of practices and principles. The Advocacy firm should perform its services substantially in accordance with generally accepted professional practices and principles. The firm/individual should use his/her abilities, experience and best efforts to assist in the formulation and successful implementation of AHA's identified mission related policy issues.

Please return a proposal for services and sample contract to Terri R. Broussard, VP of Advocacy- South Central Affiliate by November 16, 2009. Interviews of top firms and/or candidates will be held beginning November 23, 2009.

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