A Seat at the Table: My Experience in Attending a State-level Legislative Luncheon with Chris Roy

In the intricate dance of democracy, the power vested in the hands of the people is a force to be reckoned with.  However, for that power to be effective, we must be willing to actively engage in the political process.  One impactful way to participate is by attending a state-level legislative luncheon, where constituents and lawmakers converge to discuss issues.  These gatherings serve as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas between the people and those shaping policies. 

Recently, I had the privilege of attending a legislative luncheon.  The purpose of this meeting was to give specific feedback on a senate bill regarding work comp law in Kansas that is getting ready to go to the floor.  The senate committee chair wanted to make sure all things had been considered and that they had solid talking points for the known hot-button issues in the bill.  I was merely attending this luncheon as a fly on the wall if you will.  My main objective was to attend and show my support for the organization that was hosting the event.  I was also able to turn this into a great networking opportunity as I was 1 of only 2 attendees that were not on the board of the hosting organization.   

What struck me most was the genuine commitment of the elected officials to listen and learn from the group.  Several members of the organization had volunteered countless hours to help write this legislation and to provide feedback and support.  It was great to witness the officials actively seeking out best answers to difficult questions and I believe that this bill will be able to pass due to their willingness to learn from the experts in the field. 

AAOE, we are those experts! We should all take a vested interest in the policy making that goes on at the state and federal levels.  I have been a member of AAOE for 2.5 years and have been a volunteer with the AAOE Advocacy Council for just over 2 years now.  I chose to get involved with Advocacy because it was a role I did not know much about.  I desired to stretch myself in a new direction and I have been glad to learn and give voice to the issues that impact how we take care of patients and run our practices.  Whether you get involved with AAOE Advocacy council or not, I hope you chose to stay informed and get involved at the state and federal level. 


We encourage you to schedule your own visit and let us help you! 

If you’d like to participate in hosting a visit to your facility, please reach out to Jake Kohn (jkohn@lobbyit.com) or Jennifer Nordquest (jnordquest@aaoe.net) and include the following information: 

 - Your specific location (city and state) 
 - Your contact information 
 - 3-5 Sentences about what your facility does