Advocacy is about more than just being in the room; it’s about having the experience to shape the conversation. For over 25 years, I have dedicated my career to health equity for tribal and rural communities in Minnesota. This March, I have a rare, milestone opportunity to head to Washington, D.C., for two back-to-back events that represent the pulse of our movement: AIDSWatch and the Synchronicity Conference.

A Mission Beyond the Conference Floor My time in D.C. will be spent on the front lines of policy. As part of both conferences, I will be participating in one-on-one Congressional meetings with my Congresswoman and key staffers.

Furthermore, I am utilizing my own downtime to meet with Committee staffers to advocate for the issues that impact our rural and tribal neighbors every day:

Healthcare & Ryan White Funding: Leveraging my 10 years on the Ryan White Part B Consumer Advisory Committee. And my three years of service on the former Minnesota Statewide HIV Planning Council, two as the Chair of Operations and one as the Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Operations developing the outline and implementation of the creation of the initial Integrated Planning Council. I also will draw on my experience as the former Director of Advocacy for a former rural HIV organization, developing strategies and building support for policies and programs that support fellow Peers living in Greater Minnesota.

Affordable Housing: Drawing on my experience establishing the Lake Park Housing Task Force during my tenure as Mayor. And volunteering with the Minnesota HIV Housing Coalition, the National HIV/AIDS Housing Coalition, and the National American Indian Housing Council.

Rural Transit & Broadband: Bringing the "ground-truth" perspective from the 76 counties of Greater Minnesota that I represent on the Human Services Performance Council, the Council on Mental Health, and the Expert Panel on Medicaid & Minnesota Care.

A Milestone Opportunity As a person of limited means and a low-income professional, I have spent decades advocating for others while often lacking the resources to attend these national conferences in person. For years, I’ve participated from afar—volunteering with AIDS United to organize virtual congressional sessions and partnering with LGBTQHealth for 15 years.

Through careful planning and scholarships, I have already secured 50% ($2,000.00) of the total cost. I am now seeking help to raise the final 50%—the "last mile"—to ensure this seasoned voice is actually in the room where decisions are made.

The "Last Mile" Funding Breakdown I am seeking $2,000.00 to cover:

Hotel Accommodations: Securing a stay at the conference venue to maximize participation in legislative meetings.

Shipping for Educational Materials: Bringing the knowledge home to Minnesota for community debriefs and presentations.

Travel Day, Meals, Transit/Taxis/Uber, and Incidentals: This would be for change fee if meetings run late and/or weather becomes an issue for flight departure; along with trip insurance if an additional hotel night is needed due to travel delays.

Note: If a roommate is assigned and a reimbursement occurs, 100% of those funds will be rolled back into community-led initiatives like ELCA Positive Hearts.

Stay Connected: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwittnebel Advocacy Blog: fb.com/AaronWittnebel

2026 Community Partnership Menu

Sponsorship is an investment in professional education and community health. In exchange for your support, I am available for the following in 2026:

1. Post-Conference Briefings

The D.C. Report: A detailed presentation on federal policy shifts regarding HIV/AIDS, Rural Health, and Tribal Sovereignty.
The Syndemic Strategy: A workshop on integrating HIV, STI, and Mental Health care in rural settings.

2. Pro-Bono Professional Services

Grant Strategy & Review: I will provide expert review for one of your organization’s upcoming grant applications, applying my experience as a State Grants Evaluator.
Advocacy Coaching: I will train your staff or stakeholders on how to effectively share "lived experience" with state legislators.

3. Peer Leadership & Support

ELCA Positive Hearts: Continued leadership and peer mentoring for our "Positive Peers" support groups.

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