Go GETM!
Glenda Dashiell, Columbia SDEdri Geiger, Vancouver SDTricia Lubach, Quincy SD
Michael Kelly, Centralia SD
Legislative Advocacy: Have No Fear!
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This is not a test!
Do a quick check-up to see if you have the fundamentals to
successfully engage at both state and federal levels.
What is your Advocacy Status?
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How did you do?
Are you surprised?
What is your Advocacy Status?
What is your Advocacy IQ?
• As a school board
• As a director
• As WSSDA member
Effective advocacy work is extremely important
What gaps did you identify?
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The importance of legislative advocacy
Legislative and policy decisions made in Olympia and Washington D.C. can have a profound effect on the schools, students and teachers in your district.
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The importance of legislative advocacy
Examples of legislation that impacts our districts: NCLB (federal and state)
Unfunded Mandate End of Course Exams (EOCs)
(impacts instruction, district budgets, graduation requirements) Huge impact on students and families
Common Core Smarter Balanced tests fully computerized - technology, budget &
infrastructure impacts staff training requirements
TPEP
School directors are in a position to make a significant difference in the legislative process
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The importance of legislative advocacy
Examples of School directors making an impact: Additional funding from McCreary decision
SDs told legislators to fund MSOC and Transportation before all-day kindergarten and they listened
Legislators cannot read your minds!
They must hear from you and your board about how legislative decisions will impact the lives of children, families and teachers in your schools. (WSSDA's Effective Advocacy for School Directors in Washington State)
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It’s all about relationships
The way you influence people is by building relationships with them Takes time Requires persistence
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Building Relationships
Learn about your legislators Most effective means of communication What information is most useful to them What their interests are
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Building Relationships
Learn about your legislators Their personal lives/family Their professional lives
Political views Committee assignments
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Learn about your legislatorsMost effective means of communicationWhat information is most useful to themWhat their interests are
Building Relationships
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“Every legislator is diff erent, but they all go back to the
people they represent and have to live with the laws they
create.”
Megan Walsh, Legislative Assistant for 25 years
Building Relationships
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Become an “Education Expert” - their go-to person to contact
when they need information about an education issue
Building Relationships
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Make yourself memorable-Do some homework about legislators-Find something you have in common-Wear a name tag & give them your
card-Remind them of your last visit
Building Relationships
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Building Relationships
Getting started: Get involved at local level, work your way
up Bill yourself as Elected Official
representing school district constituents School directors often seen more as school
volunteers than elected officials, but many have more power than most local mayors & city councils
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Building Relationships
It’s not as hard as it sounds Take it slowly, building relationships over
time Don’t force it You don’t have to know everything Short and sweet wins the race
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Know the hierarchyLegislators will always
prioritize their constituents fi rst, so start with your own legislators
Building Relationships
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Building Relationships
Make your efforts year-round
Invite legislators to your district Visit them in Olympia Communicate with them regularly, not just
when you need something Don’t be afraid to ask questions
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Building Relationships
Work with WSSDA’s experts
Marie Sullivan is WSSDA’s Director of Governmental Relations Read her legislative updates during session Get information from her about legislation & legislators Attend Legislative Boot Camps and other trainings
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You are an elected off icial just like the legislators and the governor
You represent the same constituents
Have no fear!
“But I’m not a politician!”
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Remember who your constituents are…
Core Principals of Effective Advocacy
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Core Principals of Effective Advocacy
Education supporters: Are varied Can hold different perspectives May have competing interests
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Education competes for resources
…even after McCleary
Core Principals of Effective Advocacy
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All decisions are political
Core Principals of Effective Advocacy
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Core Principals of Effective Advocacy
Good laws take time
Easier to kill a bill than pass one
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Core Principals of Effective Advocacy
An opponent today may be a friend tomorrow
Don’t burn bridges
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Core Principals of Effective Advocacy
Quality NOT quantity matters
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Core Principals of Effective Advocacy
Be a problem solver: provide solutions
Become an expert to your legislators
Find out how they receive & use info
Provide info in their preferred format
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Resources
Review Legislator fact sheet pg. 9-11
Goal: Get to know as much as possible about each legislator
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Plan for Effective Advocacy
How will I bring this information back to my board?
What are some easy ways we can start an advocacy program or kick ours up a notch?
What are our biggest goals in this area?
What is my role?
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Plan for Effective Advocacy
Short-term (year) & long-term planGoalsAction stepsBenchmarksSelf-evaluationTimelinesIdentify opportunities for board to do
work together
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Where can I get more information?
Questions & Answers
Legislative Advocacy
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