Guide to Month of Awareness Resolutions and Proclamations

Thank you for your interest in advocacy!

What are resolutions and proclamations? A resolution is a symbolic action by a legislative body — at the federal, state or municipal level — to recognize a person, event or cause. A proclamation is similar but declared independently by a public official such as a mayor or governor.

For the CurePSP community, this might mean working with a legislator to recognize May as “Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration Awareness Month” or March as “Multiple System Atrophy Awareness Month.” These tools help educate lawmakers and the general public about these rare diseases, generate media attention and lay the groundwork for deeper advocacy down the road.

How do I file one? The process varies by governing body, but the steps below will guide you through it. Note that CurePSP works with Congressional champions on federal-level resolutions, so this guide focuses on state and municipal action initiated by local volunteers like you.

Starting early gives you time to research the right contact, build a relationship, educate on PSP/CBD/MSA and finalize resolution or proclamation language before the aimed-for month of awareness or an office’s possible submission deadline. Don't worry if you're working with a shorter timeline: resolutions and proclamations can be retroactive.

State Resolutions

  1. Research your state legislature. Research your state legislature. Most have an official website with their meeting schedule, legislator directory, committee information and contact details — as well as guidance on filing resolutions. Familiarize yourself with their calendar and process before reaching out.
  2. Find a legislative sponsor. Most states require a resolution to be sponsored by an elected member of the legislature — and even if your state allows a citizen's petition, having a sponsor to rally colleagues and shepherd the process is still a good idea. When identifying a potential sponsor, consider: anyone to whom you have a personal connection; legislators with a personal connection to PSP, CBD, MSA or other neurodegenerative diseases; members of a health-related committee; or the elected official who represents your district. Many legislators have their own websites or social media pages where you can learn what issues they care about. You can find your representatives by entering your address in the "find your legislator" tool on your state legislature's or Secretary of State's website.
  3. Make your ask. Once you've identified a potential sponsor, reach out using our customizable email template and attach the template resolution language (PSP & CBD or MSA). If you don't hear back and your state has a two-chamber legislature (house and senate), try your representative in the other chamber.

Municipal (City or Town) Resolutions

  1. Research your municipal legislative body. How often do they meet? Do they have a process for filing resolutions outlined on their website?
  2. Find a legislative sponsor. Most councils require an elected official — like a councilor or the mayor — to put forth resolutions for the full council to consider, though some allow citizen petitions.
  3. Make your ask. Use our customizable email template to reach out to a municipal elected official and attach the template resolution language, both linked above.

Proclamations

Unlike resolutions, proclamations can often be declared by a government official without a vote, which can make the process faster.

  1. Find your contact. Locate your governor's or mayor's contact information on your state or city/town website.
  2. Make your ask. Use our customizable email template and attach the template proclamation language, both linked above.
  3. When using these templates, replace "resolution" with "proclamation" throughout.

Legislators need to hear from the people they represent. Use our customizable email template to ask family, friends, faith communities, neighbors — anyone willing to make a call or send an email — to contact their representative and urge them to support the resolution or proclamation.

You can also share our social media graphic with a message like: "Do you have a second to help? Please call or email your representative today and ask them to pass Resolution/Proclamation [#1234] to recognize [Month] 2026 as PSP & CBD [or MSA] Awareness Month!"

This is also a great time to engage local media — through letters to the editor, TV and radio stations, local blogs or influencers — to build broader community awareness.

Follow up with the office regularly by phone or email to keep your request from getting lost in the shuffle. This is also a good time to ask when the resolution or proclamation will be officially introduced and voted on — and whether you're able to attend.

CurePSP is trying to keep track of PSP/CBD/MSA resolutions and proclamations across the country and would love to hear about your experience and success. Email advocacy@curepsp.org with your updates (and any photos of the resolution or you accepting it!) and if you would be willing to share your advocacy story with our community.