Learning Objectives: Explain how to organize a tobacco control coalition of non-health, non-traditional organizations.
Abstract: Eliminating Disparity in the Tobacco Control Arena: The Ambassadors' Program
As part of a grant awarded by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, NJBreathes (NJB) is endeavoring to bring the tobacco control message to non-health non-traditional organizations and elicit their assistance in bringing the message to New Jersey's diverse population.
The Medical Society of New Jersey (MSNJ), through its tobacco control coalition New Jersey Breathes (NJB), has created a statewide tobacco control recruitment effort designed to involve non-health non-traditional entities in tobacco control activities. Expected outcome is that local affiliates of non-health non-traditional statewide organizations now participate in local community partnerships with Communities Against Tobacco (CAT).
NJB created a tobacco control Ambassadors Program involving high-level executives and volunteers from non-health non-traditional organizations. The activities to reach this goal included:
· Developed data base of a minimum of 100 statewide organizations including contact person, email, phone, fax, mailing address; population served, focus area · Compiled recruitment packet with media, educational materials kit for each organization; include materials specific to organization/population served · Created materials, i.e. an award/recognition certificate, indicating that organization became a member of Ambassadors Program · Held three 2-day coalition building forums for member organizations, arranged by population group served, and Communities Against Tobacco (CAT) · Held four 1 day media training workshops; emphasis on advocacy conducted by media consultants · Awarded mini-grant to Ambassadors Program member organizations to assist coalition members in educating members, advocating for tobacco-free policies in recreational areas, worksite, social and other settings.
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