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Advocacy for PAACEpresented by

Earl M. Baker, Ph.D.Government Relations Consultant

to PAACE

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INTRODUCTIONAdvocacy: What, Why, Who &How

• We’ll review– What we know– What we know we don’t know– What we don’t know we don’t know

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What is Advocacy?

• Communications• Information• Education• Persuasion

• EPIC: “Educating Pennsylvanians,Investing in our Communities”

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Why Advocate?

• Democracy demands participation• Our System is Based on Speaking Up• Telling Our Legislators What We Prefer in

Public Policy• Limited Resources Available to Public Sector• A contest between “good” and “good”• Why what PAACE does with public dollars

benefits citizens and the Commonwealth

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What is the PAACE Advocacy Structure?

• Members and Member Program Staff, Tutors & Learners• Lobbyists and Government Relations (if part of

organization)• Program Board Members• PAACE Board Members• President and Officers• Public Policy Committee Chair• Public Policy Committee Members• Regional Representatives• Government Relations Consultant

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Topics of Advocacy• Budget: The State Budget is our lifeline to funding, it is the most important

concern we have as an organization on behalf of our members• “Next Year’s Budget Starts Now”—if we want favorable consideration next year,

we must lay the groundwork now through education and building relationships• Since the Budget is the one piece of legislation which the General Assembly MUST

pass, and because it is the source of vital funding, it receives the lion’s share of Advocacy attention most of the time, even though it is formally presented by the Governor in February and must be enacted by the Legislature by June 30; that period is critical….but

• Much of what we do in acquainting State Senators and Representatives with our learners and our programs all year round is intended to create a sense of value when we are presenting our Budget requests

• But there are also other topics such as whether the Administration is giving our programs the attention they deserve within the administrative structure, and whether we are consulted on policies that impact us

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What Does a Government Relations Consultant Do?

• Advises the client on strategy and tactics• Bases his advice on his experience, knowledge of the system,

and network of contacts; client decides• Has private discussions with legislators and administrative key

players on behalf of client• Sets up PAACE meetings with key players • Reviews Advocacy materials of the client• Assists client in gaining access to decision making process,

providing speakers, and assessing information • Helps plan grassroots officer, member and learner Advocacy

activities

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To Whom Do We Advocate?Legislative and Executive Branches

• Senate: 50 State Senators• House of Representatives: 203 State Representatives• Your program has at least one of each; often more• Leadership of both Senate and House• Appropriations Committees of Senate and House• Education Committees of both Senate and House• Governor• Governor’s staff• Secretary of Education• Administrative Staff of the Department of Education

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Techniques of Advocacy• Marco Polo Principle: Go Half Way Around the World for a Face to Face Meeting*• E Mail personal• E Mail group• Letter or note—handwritten, signed, mailed*• Letter or note—typed, signed, mailed*• Telephone Call—message with staff• Telephone Call—speak with the legislator*• Visit the district legislative office—make appointment for legislator*• Visit the district legislative office—staff• Invite the Legislator to Visit Your Program• Invite the Legislator to Speak to Graduation• Attend public events where legislator will be present• Visits in Harrisburg, “Day in Harrisburg,” visit staff in Harrisburg office

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From the Other End of the Telescope• Legislators are important public officials, but

remember, they are human beings just like us• Look at the biography• Family, sports interests, schools attended, hobbies• Keep in mind they have chosen careers in

“politics,” and want to be re-elected by their constituents—you are constituents both as individual citizens and also when representing your program

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What can YOU do?• Everyone can do something• Don’t assume someone else will do it• Directors/Managers are responsible for Advocacy taking place• Learners are very effective advocates• Civic literacy includes learners communicating• Legislators DO care what you think, but you have to tell them

in some manner• If your organization has policies regarding “lobbying”

remember Advocacy includes “education” which is also an important function of communication

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Thank You!

• PAACE appreciates your interest in assisting in the Advocacy effort

• Our ability to serve our learners and prospective learners depends on our teamwork approach to Advocacy

• To learn more about PAACE Advocacy, contact Kim Rossman, President; JoAnn Weinberger, Public Policy Chair; Earl Baker, our Consultant; or your Regional Representative

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Contact Information• Kim Rossman, President

– kim@tlcliteracy.org• JoAnn Weinberger, Public Policy Chair

– joann.weinberger@gmail.com• Earl Baker, PAACE’s Government Relations Consultant

– earlbaker@idv.net • Your Regional Representative• Western Regional Co-Reps: Marcia Anderson and Lynne Watson

– litchoices@gmail.com – lynnewatson927@gmail.com

• Central Regional Co-Reps: Ruth Love-Schooley and • Amy Wilson,

– ral27@psu.edu– awilson@mid-stateliteracycouncil.org

• Eastern Regional Co-Reps: Mary Kovalchick and Shirley Moy– mkovalchick@lccc.edu– smoy@temple.edu