Last September, the ACR launched its first public relations campaign, called Simple Tasks. The campaign is aimed at lawmakers, referring physicians, and other influential people and groups that regularly make decisions that affect people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases—and the rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals who treat them.
The campaign is making great strides, and many ACR members have expressed an eagerness to support and promote the campaign. Because Simple Tasks is a campaign created by and for the members of the ACR, member engagement is critical, and becoming involved in Simple Tasks is quite…simple.
Here are five ways you can become a part of this important campaign.
Make Introductions
The base of this campaign is people—ACR members, patients, and the people who champion the rheumatology community. The Communications and Marketing Committee (the committee that oversees the ACR’s public relations efforts) welcomes introductions to people who have stories that might be a good fit for this campaign. Currently, the CMC would like to hear from:
- Members who have a good referral relationship with a physician in their area. The ACR is working to create a “Why I Refer” video that looks at the positive benefits of early and appropriate referrals, and is planning to work with members and referring physicians to explore this relationship.
- Members who have patients who have particularly inspiring stories about overcoming obstacles and benefiting from early and appropriate treatment from a rheumatologist. From case studies to videos to social media to public speaking, hearing a person with a rheumatic disease tell his or her story is powerful. These stories become even more powerful when someone talks about the unique and highly important relationship they have with their rheumatologist. The ACR is currently looking for patients who are able to articulate their stories and who are willing to talk about some of the simple tasks that are no longer simple due to their diseases.
Write or Videotape Your Story
Do you tweet or blog? Are you a fledgling YouTube sensation? Your story might be a good fit for the campaign.
The ACR is using the tag #SimpleTasks to discuss the campaign on Twitter; your Facebook page is a great place to tell the Simple Tasks story; and the ACR is always looking for people who would like to write for the campaign’s monthly online column.
Additionally, YouTube is a very effective tool to put your story, and the stories of your patients, into motion. The ACR is currently seeking video submissions that would highlight the messages of the Simple Tasks campaign for its YouTube channel.
Volunteer for the Regional Speakers Bureau
The campaign has a national speakers bureau, which is prepared to participate in national media interviews and public speaking opportunities. In addition to this bureau, the ACR is currently assembling several regional speakers bureaus that will focus on local opportunities.