Advocacy at the National Level NAME Conference October 15, 2009.
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Transcript of Advocacy at the National Level NAME Conference October 15, 2009.
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
Presenters:Presenters:
“The action of advocating,
pleading or supportinga cause or proposal”
What is What is Advocacy?Advocacy?
dictionary.com
The act of influencing or supportingThe desire to change regulations, laws, institutional policies, court decisionsThe ability to speak out in favor of a particular position or policy
… …meaning?meaning?
Any private citizen can advocateNot all employees are allowed to advocate representing their employerKnow your employer’s rules
Can Anyone Can Anyone Advocate?Advocate?
Become Involved Know your Representatives:
Know What Issues they Support
Know their Voting Record Know their Committee Membership
And…And…
Ready to offer some serious support
to your public policy efforts?
Time To Get Time To Get SeriousSerious
Form Coalition or Advocacy Committee - strength in numbers
Communicate with others to strengthen your goals
Be specific, prioritize concerns
First: Have a PlanFirst: Have a Plan
Hold focus group meetings Identify key leverage points Prepare to approach
legislative supporters with your concerns
Identify the “ASK”
Focus and PrepareFocus and Prepare
Building an itinerary for your visit
Choose a time to visit when representatives are in session
Make appointments with your representatives first
Begin by:Begin by:
Make appointments:
State where you are from
State who you representSpeak authoritatively
requesting your predetermined date and time
Be persistent – you are an important meeting! Be sure they understand!
Preparation isPreparation is KeyKey
Call early in the morning, prior to 12:00 noon
Speaking in person with ‘scheduling secretary’ offers much more success in getting appointment
Call for Call for Appointment:Appointment:
“Urgent and Imperative”“Delegation”“Absolutely require
meeting”Hint: Do not be shy!
Key Words:Key Words:
“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.”
E-mails are E-mails are EffectiveEffective
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-upFollow-up
Biographies of legislators are available on web Know their interests and their policy commitments
BiographiesBiographies
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
Final Final PreparationsPreparations
Program status The “ASK” Supporting documentation Identification (business cards work)
HandoutsHandouts
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’
Suggested Suggested ProtocolProtocol
If using a local example, be certain it represents a statewide point
School representatives work best when educating and informing
Exchange business cards
Suggested Suggested ProtocolProtocol
Be on time. No, be early!Use only your designated appointment time.
Address Senator as Senator and Congressman as Congressman or Congresswoman
Suggested Suggested ProtocolProtocol
Always send a “Thank you letter
for the meeting” Thank-you letter can
include more specific local information
Exchange business cards
Thank-You Thank-You LettersLetters
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.
Thank-You Thank-You LettersLetters