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LOTE ADVOCACY. Working with our legislators and leaders. Nancy H. Ketz nketz@nysaflt.org NYSAFLT Summer Institute August 9, 2012. Agenda. Knowing our leaders Current legislation The phone call The letter The visit Their advice to us. Knowing our leaders.
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LOTE ADVOCACY Working with our legislators and leaders Nancy H. Ketz nketz@nysaflt.org NYSAFLT Summer Institute August 9, 2012
Agenda • Knowing our leaders • Current legislation • The phone call • The letter • The visit • Their advice to us
Knowing our leaders • Who are my legislators? • Federal: Senator and Representative • NYS: Senator and Assemblyman • For contact info, go to http://www.nysaflt.org and click on advocacy • Contact info for SED and Regents is also available there.
Current legislation • A06232 • S00721 • HR01966 • What is the status of these bills? • How do we learn what we need to know about legislation?
The phone call • How hard is this? • Watch the role-play. • Good or bad example? • Why? • What about multiple calls?
The letter • Use NYSAFLT’s Advocacy Guide to Letter Writing (thanks Marie C) • Perfect length? • Where do I get necessary info? • NYSAFLT’s advocacy page, under talking points • What should be included?
Parts of the letter • Title. Get it right! • Intro sentence: Who you are, making it matter. • Paragraph 1: Identify the problem. • Paragraph 2: Explain the significance of the problem. • Paragraph 3: Your specific request & thanks • Your name, mailing address, phone#, email.
More about letter writing • Snail-mail or fax is better than email. • Only one person per letter.
The visit • Making the appointment. • From receptionist to scheduler. • What days/times are typical? • What if they offer you a chief of staff or area specialist? • How long will the visit probably be? • How many people should attend?
The visit, continued • What should you bring with you? • Folder with 1 – 4 pages of info, possibly 1 brochure, business card.
The visit • If you are so inspired, what kind of prep work might you do in advance? • Check your legislator’s website and find out 2 or 3 pertinent facts about your legislator. • So what might a typical visit consist of?
Sample visit • Introduce yourself (yourselves) • Possible 1 minute of acknowledging some fact about the legislator (the schmooze) • Get to the point of your visit. Discuss your problem, issue, its relevance, etc. (5 minutes) • Point out important materials in folder. (3-5 minutes) • Explain what you’d like the legislator to do. • Return to legislator’s personal connection. • Ask for a photo-op. • Say thank you; repeat request.
Their advice to us • Since there is no legislation presently being voted on, they suggest we go to more LOCAL, GRASSROOTS efforts.