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?

Anyone with an interest in

supporting an effort or program

Who Should Who Should Advocate?Advocate?

Any private citizen can advocateNot all employees are allowed to advocate representing their employerKnow your employer’s rules

Can Anyone Can Anyone Advocate?Advocate?

VOTE!

How Do We How Do We Advocate?Advocate?

Understand theLegislative Process

And…And…

Become Involved Know your Representatives:

Know What Issues they Support Know their Voting Record Know their Committee Membership

And…And…

Contact your Representatives andVoice your Opinions and Concerns

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

Ready for your trip to

Washington, D.C.?

Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.

Building an itinerary for your visitChoose a time to visit when representatives are in sessionMake 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 noonSpeaking 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

Know who is chair of committee important to your cause

Organizational Organizational chartscharts

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

And . . . Do not forget your camera!

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 talkPossible 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 informingExchange 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 letterfor the meeting”

Thank-you letter can include more specific local informationExchange 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

Follow up with Advocacy Group

Supply brief summary of meetings and results

SummarizeSummarize