American Fraternal Alliance STATE FRATERNAL CONGRESSES SECTION AIM (Advocacy in Motion) AWARD PROGRAM
PURPOSE
The American Fraternal Alliance State Fraternal Congress AIM Award will annually honor state fraternal congresses for programs and activities that FOCUS their efforts to promote the fraternal benefit system in their state and TARGET relationship-building with their legislators. As state congresses achieve their goals, the AIM program may evolve over time.
ELIGIBILITY
All American Fraternal Alliance state fraternal congresses are eligible to participate.
GUIDELINES
For the first year, all kinds of legislative activity are encouraged: an event hosted at the state capitol of the state in which your congress is domiciled would be the ultimate GOAL. Examples include hosting a legislative breakfast, a coffee break or creating a fraternal display to educate legislators and staff. Other activities could include representatives of your state fraternal congress visiting with state policymakers in yoru state capital or hosting an elected official at your state fraternal congress meeting or JOIN HANDS DAY or other fraternal activity. The guidelines are meant to act as a starting point for your advocacy efforts; be creative and feel free to engage officials in other ways than those listed in AIM. Representatives of (2) or more member societies must participate in an activity for it to be considered a state fraternal congress event.
There are three levels of recognition for the AIM award. The requirements for these awards are:
- Gold:
Host an event at your state capitol or host a meet-and-greet with a state legislator at a local lodge, restaurant or park. This event should be sponsored by the state fraternal congress, not a fraternal benefit society.
(Hosting an advocacy workshop is optional; this step may be included in the pre-event preparation activities.)Invite legislators to a minimum of five (5) fraternal sevice events sponsored by SFC member societies.* Events must be hosted by at least three (3) different societies to receive AIM credit.
Register at least three (3) relationships with state legislators on the “key contacts” page of the American Fraternal Alliance Web site.
- Silver:
Host an advocacy workshop for SFC members. Workshop may be held in-person, via the Web, or via conference call. SFCs may contact the American Fraternal Alliance for workshop curriculum and are encouraged to invite a SFC Section Board Member to speak during the workshop.Invite state legislators to a minimum of five (5) service events sponsored by SFC member societies.* Events must be hosted by at least three (3) different societies to receive AIM credit.
Register at least two (2) relationships with state legislators on the “key contacts” page of the American Fraternal Alliance Web site.
- Bronze:
Invite state legislators to a minimum of three (3) service events sponsored by SFC member societies.* Events must be hosted by at least three (3) different societies to receive AIM credit.Register at least one (1) relationship with state legislators on the “key contacts” page of the American Fraternal Alliance Web site.
Create a group for your SFC on the American Fraternal Alliance social network.
* When SFCs invite state legislators to events, a SFC representative should enter this activity under “key contacts” on the American Fraternal Alliance Advocacy page. Items must be entered in “key contacts” to receive AIM Award credit.