AAO Seeks Leaders for National Advocacy Network Group

As part of a push for grassroots advocacy, the AAO is looking to fill key volunteer leadership positions at its new AAO National Advocacy Network.

The American Association of Orthodontists seeks leaders for the group’s new AAO National Advocacy Network (NAN).

The AAO Council on Governmental Affairs (COGA) is emphasizing grassroots advocacy as a key strategy from now on, especially via AAO component organizations. It has opened volunteer leadership opportunities in every US state and Canadian province.

COGA created NAN to maximize AAO member grassroots influence across the United States and Canada for offense and defense relating to AAO advocacy priorities.

An inaugural class of NAN founders will help chart the future by enhancing the specialty and protecting patient health and safety through grassroots advocacy influence driving evidence-based policy the AAO can support.

The AAO is looking for volunteers interested in advocacy and willing to learn, grow, and offer their talents as NAN representatives. Candidates can be policy and political veterans or anyone with a can-do spirit and a passion for the AAO’s mission through advocacy.

The AAO wants to fill two key positions, component advocacy liaison (CAL) and AAO Political Action Committee (AAOPAC) captain (US only).

Working closely with COGA and the AAO Advocacy team, founding CALs will serve as their states’ or provinces’ chief points of contact for NAN. This role can include monitoring state/provincial regulation and legislation, recruiting additional NAN leadership, representing AAO at key policy events, and working with counterparts to share lessons and insights to benefit advocacy influence on AAO member priorities.

AAOPAC captains will work closely with the AAOPAC board and the AAO Advocacy team. Founding AAOPAC captains will serve as their states’ points of contact for AAOPAC fundraising that fuels AAO Advocacy priorities in Washington, DC, and states across the country.

It is a crucial leadership role inside NAN that will also include recruiting and developing other leaders for AAOPAC growth and sustainability. Captains will also represent AAOPAC at critical political events and work with counterparts to leverage resources and relationships for AAOPAC’s success.