Grassroots Advocacy: Becoming an Agent of Change

Grassroots Advocacy: Becoming an Agent of Change Interest-based Technical Assistance Claudia Lowe, B.S.L., J.D.

Introduction • Claudia Lowe, J.D. • Related history • IBTA • Educational Strategist & Consultant • Transition Coach & Specialist • Conflict Mediation Coach • Speaker and writer

Agenda • What is grassroots advocacy • How a bill becomes a law • How to be an effective advocate • The Armchair Advocate • Writing to your legislator • Meeting with your legislator

Advocacy… • ss the act or process of supporting a cause or issue. An advocacy campaign is a set of targeted actions in support of a cause or issue. We advocate a cause or issues because we want to: • build support for that cause or issue; • influence others to support it; or • try to influence or change legislation that affects it. IPPF

Advocacy… • is speaking up, drawing a community’s attention to an important issue, and directing decision-makers toward a solution. Advocacy is working with other people and organizations to make a difference. CEDPA

Advocacy… • is giving voice to a group or population that has traditionally been voiceless. CEDPA

Grassroots Advocacy… • Generally means an organized “bottom-up” process to communicate issues and concerns to elected officials and now plays a substantial role in many legislative battles. Association for Enterprise Opportunity

Objectives • Show your legislator(s) that you care about your issue and the role it plays in people's lives, affects businesses, or (whatever). • Show that you understand the issues and have a good argument to back up your position. • Show your legislator(s) that you are familiar with the political process and are monitoring their efforts. • Get involved in the legislative process– every person counts!! Association for Enterprise Opportunity

How a bill becomes law… • Introduction and committee referral • Assigned to subcommittees • Hearings for approval and sending to full committee • Committee approves and reports bill • Senate/House debates and passes bill • Conference committee resolves and differences between House and Senate • Senate/House enacts bill

Being an Effective Advocate • Know the legislative process • Get your allies together • Do your homework • Pick your lobbying targets and go to work • What is your objective? • Who do you need to move? • What do they need to hear? • Who do they need to hear it from? • What actions will you use to make your point? The Democracy Center

The Armchair Advocate • Educate yourself. • Read, read, read. • Watch, watch, watch. • Think, think, think. • Take action. Advanced Consulting

Writing to Your Legislator • One type-written page • Short paragraph, state your purpose • If a bill, cite name and number • Be factual and support your position • State effects if you oppose and offer a different approach • Ask the legislator for his/her views • Write legibly, include name and address The Arc

Meeting Your Legislator • Schedule the meeting • Who to bring to the meeting • Preparing for the meeting • Meeting with an aide vs meeting with the member • Common pitfalls • After the meeting The Arc

Educational Consultant • Counsels students and their families on educational strategies and provisions for an appropriate IEP or 504 plan and Transition plan based on the student’s unique needs, individual learning and work styles, strengths, abilities, talents, and potential.

Favorite Quotes • “If you wouldn’t do it to an adult, don’t do it to a child.” Rick LaVoie • “Children do well if they can.” Ross Greene • “I am not your response.” Claudia Lowe

Workshops • “K-12 CAMS for Students” A one-day workshop that can be presented to students, teachers, or parents on how to effectively use K-12 CAMS for school work, home work, and to make educational progress. Presenters: Claudia Lowe, B.S.L., J.D. and Cathy Manus, E.S. • "If You Don't Teach Me the Way I Learn, You Are Not Teaching Me" A one-day workshop with facilitated discussion and simulations to acquire skills and strategies to educate and engage students with disabilities that impact learning. Presenters: Claudia Lowe, B.S.L., J.D. and Cathy Manus, E.S.

K-12 CAMS K-12 CAMS Fact Sheets: • Attention/Concentration • Reasoning/Processing • Memory • Executive Function • Interpersonal Skills • Emotional Maturity • Coordination/Motor Function • Communication • Reading • Writing/Spelling • Math Calculation/Application

Grassroots Advocacy: Becoming an Agent of Change