AAKP ADVOCACY TRAINING SCRIPT

 • Advocacy and Engagement Training: Top Ten Things to Know to be Effective on Camera – from Zoom to Media Interviews & How to Tell Your Story Online • Speakers: Jonathan St. John, owner and senior editor of Briar Patch Media and Jennifer Rate, AAKP Marketing & Communications Manager • Moderator: Jim Myers Thank you for joining the American Association of Kidney Patients for the Advocacy and Engagement Training session titled “Top Ten Things to Know to be Effective on Camera – from Zoom to Media Interviews & How to Tell Your Story Online.” My name is Jim Myers. My family has been profoundly impacted by polycystic kidney disease. I’ve lost 5 family members to PKD, including my father. Because of my family’s history, I was diagnosed at the age of 25, and was able to put off dialysis until the age of 58. I was on dialysis for 4 years and received a kidney transplant on April 27th, 2016. My specialty is the ability to utilize social media to help fellow kidney patients and to raise awareness of the plights of my fellow kidney warriors. As a member of the AAKP Board of Directors and an AAKP National Ambassador, I support the organization’s efforts as Chair of the AAKP Strategic Communications Committee and Chair of the AAKP Pediatric Kidney Pals Initiative. I’m also a proud recipient of the inaugural AAKP National Social Media Education and Advocacy Award. I am involved with AAKP because (insert personal thoughts). Today I am pleased to introduce two of my good friends. First, I’d like to introduce Mr. Jonathan St. John, owner and senior editor of Briar Patch Media, AAKP’s national, strategic media partner and the company, and individual, that has been responsible for the production needs of all AAKP events since 2019. His expertise and guidance are unparallel as AAKP transitioned to fully virtual events due to the Coronavirus pandemic. I’d like to also introduce Jennifer Rate, AAKP’s Marketing and Communications Manager. Jen oversees all of AAKP’s social media campaigns, publications, and national press relations. Jennifer has a strong background in the latest technologies necessary for conducting smart and innovative social media campaigns that connect people and advance principled policies. As we find ourselves in a world that has embraced more virtual interactions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this training session is a must see. As kidney patients, we know already how important our voice is in policy and advocacy issues. Many of us have or may participate in virtual activities such as Hill Days, speaking engagements for online conferences or support group meetings, various media interview opportunities related to kidney disease issues, or requests to participate in patient advisory boards or research projects. It’s imperative that we do not let technology intimidate us but understand its power and its ability to reach individuals beyond our own networks. We must use it to our advantage to expand our independent patient voice, share our unique patient insights and stories, so we continue to be a part of every policy, advocacy, and research discussion. Without further ado, I’d like to first turn it over to Jonathan to walk us through the Top Ten Things to Know to be Effective on Camera – from Zoom to Media Interviews. (Jonathan presents) Thank you, Jonathan, for a great presentation. Your tips will help each of us become more comfortable and effective every time we step in front of a camera. I am now honored to welcome Jennifer, who will provide a presentation on how to tell your story as an effective tool for advocacy and awareness efforts. (Jennifer presents) Thank you, Jen for an excellent presentation and constructive guidance on how individuals can share their story and the importance of sharing one’s journey with kidney disease. Once again, thank you to both Jonathan and Jennifer and thank you all for tuning in. I hope you will take all the great information shared and it put it to action. See you online! (End)