Health Care Stories from Americans in Canada

Health Care Stories from Americans in Canada

Problem – Democrats Abroad Canada (DAC) was facing a communications challenge: How can Americans living abroad in Canada become informed and support the health care reform mandate being debated in the US Congress in 2009/2010? Alex Sirota helped the organization to determine the best way to accomplish the goals of DAC on such a complex issue.

In addition, data obtained from members signing up with DAC did not provide enough information to properly guide the organization; member needs, interest and priority issues were missing. Also, DAC wanted a clearer idea of who in the organization would volunteer for various outreach efforts.

Strategy – Canada had become part of the health care debate due to our single-payer system of health care, and our insights could be valued by those in the debate. To engage US voters in Canada, DAC decided to start a blog. Alex Sirota was asked to assist with the technology and the content.

To gather information on members and potential volunteers, DAC decided to conduct an online survey. Alex Sirota assisted in both creating and administering the survey.

Implementation – In July 2009, Alex Sirota began working pro bono with the DAC Health Care Issues Committee to create the blog Health Care Stories from Americans in Canada.

In December 2009, Alex Sirota began working pro bono with the DAC Executive Team to develop the survey. We began with a prototype survey that we tested and modified based on feedback, and in April 2010, we put the survey online. We also used the survey as a fund-raising tool for the DAC. The survey included a feature to allow donations to be optionally made by respondents. In order to raise funds for DAC an online raffle is being run to fund raise for the operation of DAC including advertising. The raffle raised over $13,000 to fund the Get out the Vote 2010 campaign.

Outcomes

At its peak volume, "Health Care Stories from Americans in Canada" received 500 visits per day; to date it has recorded over 10,000 visits. After the successful approval of the the US health care reform bill, the blog continues to serve as a record of the health care reform debate.

Over 500 members (5% of DAC membership) responded to the survey -- a good result for the first such survey by the organization. The survey confirmed certain priorities such as health care, but also informed the DAC leadership on a divergence of opinion in many other areas. Several hundred potential volunteers were identified, and $500 was raised. The survey was shared with DA Americas and successfully used
in Central and South America.

"We have been enriched by the IT services provided this past year by Alex Sirota.  He has a gifted understanding of this technology and especially works well with people to have advanced our organizational development and communication network."

Ken Sherman, Democrats Abroad Canada, Chair