Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum

January 7–10, 2010
W Fort Lauderdale

Since its inception in 2003, the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum has trained 210 advocacy leaders who form an incredible network of neurology advocates throughout the United States and thirteen other countries: Austria, Australia, Canada, China, Jamaica, Japan, Georgia, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the Philippines. These advocates are working on critical issues important to the future of neurology and patients who suffer from neurologic disease.

View the Class of 2010

The Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum's curriculum revolves around three main components:

Action Planning

• Develop an advocacy "treatment plan"
• Learn how to resolve your specific issue
• Break your target into SMART goals
• SMART = Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely

Media Training

• Increasing public awareness of your issue
• Building relationships with local media
• Developing your interview skills
• Learning techniques that make you more confident in front of the camera
• Forming your message
• Feeling comfortable with writing skills

Grassroots Legislative Training

• Understanding the legislative outcome your issue requires through knowing how each level of government works
• Identifying your targets
• Effective testimonies
• Building relationships with the right people

Media training at the 2009 Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum: trainer Lorraine Roe Menell walks Pushpa Narayanaswami, MD, through a sound bite drill.