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Advocacy at the National Level NAME Conference October 15, 2009

Advocacy at the National Level NAME Conference October 15, 2009. Presenters:. Marjorie Rollins , LEC MAA Director Sutter County Superintendent of Schools Yuba City, CA Sue Hamblin , NMAS-JPA Director Stanislaus County Office of Education Modesto, CA.

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Advocacy at the National Level NAME Conference October 15, 2009

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  1. Advocacy at the National LevelNAME Conference October 15, 2009

  2. Presenters: Marjorie Rollins, LEC MAA Director Sutter County Superintendent of Schools Yuba City, CASue Hamblin, NMAS-JPA Director Stanislaus County Office of Education Modesto, CA

  3. “The action of advocating, pleading or supportinga cause or proposal” What is Advocacy? dictionary.com

  4. …meaning? The act of influencing or supporting The desire to change regulations, laws, institutional policies, court decisions The ability to speak out in favor of a particular position or policy

  5. Anyone with an interest in supporting an effort or program Who Should Advocate?

  6. Can Anyone Advocate? Any private citizen can advocate Not all employees are allowed to advocate representing their employer Know your employer’s rules

  7. How Do We Advocate? VOTE!

  8. And… Understand the Legislative Process

  9. And… • Become Involved • Know your Representatives: • Know What Issues they Support • Know their Voting Record • Know their Committee Membership

  10. And… Contact your Representatives and Voice your Opinions and Concerns

  11. Time To Get Serious Ready to offer some serious support to your public policy efforts?

  12. First: Have a Plan • Form Coalition or Advocacy Committee - strength in numbers • Communicate with others to strengthen your goals • Be specific, prioritize concerns

  13. Focus and Prepare • Hold focus group meetings • Identify key leverage points • Prepare to approach legislative supporters with your concerns • Identify the “ASK”

  14. Washington, D.C. Ready for your trip to Washington, D.C.?

  15. Begin by: Building an itinerary for your visit Choose a time to visit when representatives are in session Make appointments with your representatives first

  16. Make appointments: State where you are from State who you represent Speak authoritatively requesting your predetermined date and time Be persistent – you are an important meeting! Be sure they understand! Preparation isKey

  17. Call for Appointment: Call early in the morning, prior to 12:00 noon Speaking in person with ‘scheduling secretary’ offers much more success in getting appointment

  18. Key Words: “Urgent and Imperative” “Delegation” “Absolutely require meeting” Hint: Do not be shy!

  19. E-mails are Effective “It is imperative that Dr. John Jones, Superintendent of Schools and CA Delegates, meet with you April 21, 2009 1:30 – 5:00 or April 22, 2009 10:00 – 2:00. Please let us know which dates and times work best for you to meet with us.”

  20. After Appointment is made, follow up with email or FAX to confirm. Add explanation and background of program you will discuss Some legislative offices only work by email and some only by FAX. Be flexible Follow-up

  21. Biographies Biographies of legislators are available on web Know their interests and their policy commitments

  22. Organizational charts • Know who is chair of committee important to your cause

  23. Final Preparations • Gather all research and put into binder or folder. Should include: • Itinerary – detailed with date, time, location - including office number, staff contact person, phone numbers • Biographies • Support documentation

  24. And . . . Do not forget your camera!

  25. Handouts • Program status • The “ASK” • Supporting documentation • Identification (business cards work)

  26. Suggested Protocol For each meeting, choose a “Lead Person”. Take the cue from lead to determine when it is best to talk Possible to have a pre-selected lead for each topic or portion of discussion Stick to the ‘Message Points’

  27. Suggested Protocol If using a local example, be certain it represents a statewide point School representatives work best when educating and informing Exchange business cards

  28. Suggested Protocol Be on time. No, be early! Use only your designated appointment time. Address Senator as Senator and Congressman as Congressman or Congresswoman

  29. Thank-You Letters Always send a “Thank you letter for the meeting” Thank-you letter can include more specific local information Exchange business cards

  30. Thank-You Letters A “Thank you letter for their support” is appropriate anytime. Drop into the office and leave your card with a “Thank you letter for their support”. You need not see the legislator.

  31. Summarize Follow up with Advocacy Group Supply brief summary of meetings and results

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