Legislative Advocacy: Have No Fear!

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 different, 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 first, 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 official 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