As an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society, we would like to ask for your help to recruit more
advocates, friends, loved ones and members of the Down syndrome community to serve as an NDSS DS-AMBASSADOR®.
We are specifically contacting you today because your organization resides in a legislative district represented by a member in congressional leadership. It is important that we have advocates in your district in order to gain the support of influential members. We would like to ask you to reach out to members of your organization with the following information to help us recruit new ambassadors.
Our DS-AMBASSADOR® program is an integral part of expanding the NDSS grassroots network across the nation. A few expectations of participants in the program include assisting NDSS to:
- Establish positive relationships with the Senators, Representatives and their staff who represent their state in the US Congress.
- Build a network of grassroots advocates within their state and local area.
- Encourage local affiliate and advocates to support national legislative efforts that are beneficial to the Down syndrome community by making calls, sending emails and meeting with elected officials at critical points in time.
- Gather input from local affiliates and advocates regarding NDSS’ advocacy efforts, programs, and key initiatives.
- Partner with NDSS on special assignments to advance the organization’s advocacy efforts.
- Make all efforts to attend the annual Buddy Walk® on Washington (a limited number of scholarships are available).
- Consider participating in or supporting the development of a Down syndrome policy network in your state.
- Help to expand the number of participants in the NDSS DS-AMBASSADOR® Program in their state by sharing information and inviting qualified advocates to join the program.
Participants in the NDSS DS-AMBASSADOR® program are valued volunteers, yet do not receive compensation for their services. The estimated minimum time commitment is 2-4 hours per month.
Please forward this information to members of your organization. For more information regarding our DS-AMBASSADOR® program you can visit our website at:
www.ndss.org/advocate/ndss-ds-ambassador-program/. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email our Manager of Grassroots Advocacy, Nicole Patton, at
policy@ndss.org or give us a call at 1-800-221-4602.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Kind regards,
The NDSS Public Policy and Advocacy team