---
title: "Activities"
url: https://friendsofniaaa.org/activities/
description: "The four recorded Friends of NIAAA program areas: enhancing NIAAA's brand, education, congressional briefings and advocacy, including the annual Capitol Hill Day and."
---

# Activities

The Friends of NIAAA activities are recorded in four program areas.

1. Enhancing NIAAA’s Brand
2. Education
3. Congressional Briefings
4. Advocacy

## Enhancing NIAAA’s Brand

After lowering its profile as the Scientific Management Review Board (SMRB) considered merging the NIAAA with NIDA into a new addiction institute, NIAAA needs to be reintroduced to the public, policy makers, healthcare providers and other stakeholders. Friends of NIAAA will work with the institute and independently to develop and disseminate messages ranging from why we must support alcohol research, what the research entails and how it will impact the public, as well support NIAAA as an autonomous institute at NIH. A re-branding campaign will be executed through the development of education materials that can be distributed via a Friends of NIAAA website, traditional and social media, in-person meetings with stakeholders, etc. This campaign will be designed to elevate and enhance NIAAA’s visibility in the community.

## Education

Friends of NIAAA will educate policy makers and other stakeholders about the science behind the alcohol problems; scientific advances regarding how alcohol influences multiple health conditions, interpersonal and family functioning and social systems; the path to recovery; and policy initiatives that can aid or hinder the prevention and treatment of alcohol problems. This education can be executed through the dissemination of a quarterly newsletter and relevant fact sheets.

## Congressional Briefings

Friends of NIAAA will sponsor at least 2 briefings annually to inform policy makers of the gaps and advances in the science and practice of treating and preventing alcohol problem.

## Advocacy

Friends of NIAAA will advocate and support policies that positively impact the NIAAA budget, the research workforce and the advancement of basic and translational science.

The Friends also will promote NIAAA research activities and advances by developing information for Members of Congress and staff, drafting fact sheets, facilitating tours of the Institute and research facilities for Congressional staff, tracking bills of interest to the Friends and submitting annual testimony to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The Friends of NIAAA will also sponsor an annual Capitol Hill Day for its members and schedule meetings with members of Congress and their staff as needed.

## Accountability

### Mission facts

The Friends of NIAAA is a nonprofit entity, and its principal office is located in the District of Columbia.[Bylaws, Article 1](https://friendsofniaaa.org/bylaws/)

The fiscal year runs from January 1 to December 31.[Bylaws, Article 8](https://friendsofniaaa.org/bylaws/)

The Executive Committee consists of a Chair, a Secretary/Treasurer and seven other full voting members, with a Corporate Advisory Board representative ex officio.[Bylaws, Article 5](https://friendsofniaaa.org/structure/)

Executive Committee members serve two year terms and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.[Structure](https://friendsofniaaa.org/structure/)

The entire membership convenes at least once annually in person to conduct business and meet with the Director of NIAAA.[Bylaws, Article 6](https://friendsofniaaa.org/structure/)

The bylaws may be amended by a two-third vote of members present and voting at an annual or special meeting.[Bylaws, Article 10](https://friendsofniaaa.org/bylaws/)

### Annual dues

Non-profits with under $5 million in total revenue**$500**

Non-profits with total revenues over $5 million**$1,000**

For-profits with total revenues below $10 million**$5,000**

For-profits with revenues of $10 million or greater**$10,000**

The annual dues structure supports the group’s activities. See [Membership and Dues](https://friendsofniaaa.org/membership/).

### Reports and files

[Bylaws of the Friends of NIAAA](https://friendsofniaaa.org/bylaws/)Articles 1–10

[Membership List](https://friendsofniaaa.org/member-list/)20 member organizations

[Recent Events](https://friendsofniaaa.org/events/)Two briefings, 2014

### Contact

[info@friendsofniaaa.org](mailto:info@friendsofniaaa.org)Washington, D.C.