I thought I had posted this here already, but must have gotten 
: with all the stuff that has been going on. Here's the link to the post started in the MA tribal area: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=660811
: with all the stuff that has been going on. Here's the link to the post started in the MA tribal area: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=660811We are getting a lot of media attention right now in MA and this will continue up to the Lobbying Day so PLEASE come if you can!!!! And if you can't, please contact your representatives.
Jessica
Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
Lobbying Day
Wednesday May 9
10:00 am - noon
State House Room 109
Lobbying Day
Wednesday May 9
10:00 am - noon
State House Room 109
Really make a difference with Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition's first Lobbying Day on Beacon Hill, on Wednesday May 9, starting at 10am in Room 109. Massachusetts is one of 4 states with NO breastfeeding legislation. Our leaders need to meet us and hear our stories. There are 5 bills pending (Listed at: http://www.massbfc.org/advocacy/massBills.html.
We need to make appointments with many key committee chairs and so we will need to know how many people are able to come. Please RSVP as soon as possible to me at melissabartick@earthlink.net and/or Marsha Walker at marshalact@aol.com .
The event should last a few hours. We really need your participation. Thanks! -Melissa Bartick
(We have Room 109 reserved from 10:00 AM thru 12:00 Noon. Room 109 is the conference room near Senator Hart's office on the First floor East Wing near Bowdoin Street entrance.)
UPDATES & TIPS:
As we are planning the events of Lobbying Day, we are asking your help:
Our plan is to meet at room 109 at 10am, and orient folks and discuss strategy for about 1/2 hour. Then, fan out and meet with legislators, and be there for about 2-3 hours. We have the room until noon, but can be at the Statehouse longer.
Please make appointments with your own senator and representative-- these will be very short appointments, and meeting with their aides will be fine if the legislator is not available. You can find out the names and contact information for your legislators at: www.mass.gov/legis/ If your legislator or staff is willing to be flexible that would be great (eg, if you said between 10:30-11, for example). Email this information so we can coordinate this effort.
We need to meet also with Sen. President Therese Murray, who represents Plymouth & Barnstable Counties, and with House Speaker Sal DiMasi-- many bills have failed because they pass committees but don't move to the floor, so these 2 people are *crucial* to reach. We will make appointments with the chairs for the Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities joint committee (Spilka, McGee, Coakley-Rivera, and Maduke), and with the 2 Ways and Means Committees.
We are fortunate to see that some of the bills are sent to the Joint Committee on Public Health, co-chaired by Sen. Fargo and Rep. Koutoujian. We have a private meeting with Koutoujian for early May scheduled, and Fargo is the sponsor of 2 of the bills.
In the meantime, some people have asked what to say when you see your legislator. We will give them our handout and discuss with them the importance of the legislation. On our advocacy page, there are tips for writing to legislators and tips of what to say (eg, make it personal). There is also an essay on making the case for breastfeeding effectively, and what language to use. I would suggest folks also take a look at this before May 9. It will help you feel more comfortable and be more effective. The link is: http://www.massbfc.org/advocacy/index.html
Please forward this information, and have folks respond to melissabartick@earthlink.net and/or Marsha Walker at marshalact@aol.com
Thanks to YOUR efforts, we will be should be able to make a difference!!
Thank you!!
Senators and Representatives by city/town: http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm
Breastfeeding Advocacy: What you can do: http://www.massbfc.org/advocacy/
: Seriously, giving 'em a call and saying that you're aware of the event and as a voter you support it and you'd like them to support those bills, too... these folks on Beacon Hill need to hear from us all, loud and strong and often, so we cna make some changes. 
