By Carol Pace
One morning in January…
Just finishing a morning of exchanging emails with people in three different health care organizations, writing my congressperson, dropping a line to my legislator, corresponding with four fellow advocates, and communicating with three other people requesting information, I see the definition of volunteer advocacy.
Four years into retirement I consider voluntarism and advocacy to be the important focus. And within that focus I happen to be primarily interested in health care reform. After a career in health care administration I think we could still get it right, and I am pleased to devote time and energy to trying.
Joining Boomers Leading Change in Healthcare (BLCiH) and their advocacy track was consistent with my idea to leave no stone unturned, and I have also found excellent health care reform resources and fellow advocates with Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI), Health Care for All Colorado (HCAC), League of Women Voters (LWV), American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Colorado Health Institute (CHI). One just seems to lead to another.
Following legislation, testifying, participating in speakers bureaus, gathering support, phoning, emailing, or doing research, these are all part of the volunteer advocacy beat.
Volunteers in the advocacy organizations are contributing in every sense of the word. We can make a difference. Indeed, we are counting on it.
Carol Pace’s Bio:
Carol is an economist, a retired health care administrator, and a Life Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives. She has worked for the federal government, the state and in academic medicine as well as private hospitals, and now enjoys volunteer advocacy.