Voices for Change ACT Lead - Volunteer

Role Details The Canadian Cancer Society works with government to bring about healthy public policies that will help prevent cancer and improve the lives of people living with cancer and their caregivers. Advocacy Constituency Team (ACT) Lead volunteers are important leadership volunteers that work alongside the CCS Advocacy Public Engagement team to mobilize CCS advocacy priorities in their communities Description

• Work alongside the CCS advocacy team, build relationships with elected officials in your community, and attend and present CCS priorities with CCS staff support
• Contribute to CCS advocacy projects in your community and help build a municipal advocacy footprint
• Contribute to issue-based CCS campaigns, leveraging tools such as petitions, letters and digital take-actions
• Add your personal cancer experience and/or experience living in your community to help drive CCS advocacy priorities.
• Help organize advocacy activations at CCS signature events in your community
• As opportunities arise, engage with the local media to share your story and CCS advocacy priorities
• Take initiative to seek out ongoing advocacy opportunities and different ways you can engage with elected officials and community members regarding CCS advocacy priorities
• You will also have the opportunity to attend an annual advocacy summit of CCS volunteers from across Canada and day of action on Parliament Hill in Ottawa

Why we need you Everything we do is with the goal of preventing people from getting cancer, helping people with cancer to survive longer and improving their quality of life. We’re partnering with people across Canada in our efforts to make cancer care better We do this by:

• Taking a stand on important cancer issues.
• Raising Canadians’ awareness and understanding about these issues.
• Influencing government to adopt policies that will help prevent cancer, improve outcomes and help people living with or affected by the disease

What we're looking for An individual with:

• Lived experience related to cancer – this may include having had cancer, currently living with cancer, or having been (or currently being) a caregiver to someone affected by cancer
• A strong interest in health policy and how government works
• Commitment to helping to improve the lives of everyone impacted by cancer
• A knowledge of government relations and a commitment to be non-partisan whenever representing CCS
• Strong sense of self-motivation, reliability and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills

Our Investment Our investment in you is realized through:

• Connecting you with a network of advocacy volunteers across Canada who have a shared passion to take on issues related to cancer
• Integration where you are part of a team and learn about the work of CCS and our advocacy priorities
• Connecting you in different ways across a national organization operating in communities across Canada
• Supporting you in your advocacy efforts to influence the conversation when it comes to cancer
• Ongoing training and skills development related to volunteer advocacy (eg telling your story, engaging with governments, presenting)
• Collaboration with other advocates, public relations and government relations professionals

Your commitment

• One-year commitment with term with opportunity for renewal; 1-2 hours per week on average with variability throughout the year
• Attend ACT Lead Volunteer bimonthly virtual meetings (every two months)
• Ability to travel within your electoral district and meet with elected officials and/or their staff, attend special events or other activities as needed
• Ability to travel to Ottawa for an annual advocacy summit of ACT Lead Volunteers and day of action on Parliament Hill (reimbursed whenever possible).

Willingness to share your story as part of volunteer advocacy role, speak with local media as needed
We welcome people of all backgrounds, abilities, and interests. Volunteers must be at least 19 years of age or older for this position due to the scope of the role and responsibilities
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