Needs From: Volunteer East Tennessee

PanCAN's Advocacy Chairs are volunteers who focus on important legislative priorities. They serve as a local resource for their affiliate, mobilizing other volunteers to take action and educating members of Congress about our legislative goals. The main aim is to increase federal funding for pancreatic cancer research. Your role is crucial as a constituent advocate, given that 80% of pancreatic cancer research funding comes from the federal government. By building relationships with local Congress members, you directly impact the federal funding for pancreatic cancer research.

As the campaign lead for District 2, of the Tennessee PanCAN affiliate, you drive advocacy campaigns and initiatives in your area! You provide committee members with PanCAN's advocacy toolkits and resources, helping them execute effective advocacy campaigns at the local level. Your role also involves keeping the affiliate updated on congressional activities and sharing advocacy opportunities throughout the year.

As the Community Chair, you are the connector between PanCAN and the people in your community! Your leadership will ensure the affiliate is a welcoming environment for all individuals. You will lead the Community Committee – which includes a Media Chair and Social Media Chair – and play an important role in keeping the affiliate “strong and thriving.” As potential volunteers express interest in doing more, you will find out what skills they possess, how much time they have, and then match them to an appropriate role or activity as outlined in your Affiliate Action Plan and beyond.

This will require that you understand your Affiliate’s Community Assessment, Action Plan, the PanCAN PurpleStandards, and work with all leadership volunteers to understand what the needs are, with a particular focus on ensuring that the affiliate is diverse and represents of all parts of the community. We know that volunteers don’t just “appear,” so it’s important to work with your staff partner to build relationships within your community and mobilize as many people as possible to take even small actions.

Volunteer organizations, social clubs, and faith-based organizations are just a few suggestions on great places to start to build a volunteer base. And don’t forget about your digital community! Partnering with the Social Media Chair on digital recruitment will be key to our success.