Advocacy for PAACE presented by Earl M. Baker, Ph.D. Government
Relations Consultant to PAACE 1 Slide 2 INTRODUCTION Advocacy:
What, Why, Who &How Well review What we know What we know we
dont know What we dont know we dont know 2 Slide 3 What is
Advocacy? Communications Information Education Persuasion EPIC:
Educating Pennsylvanians, Investing in our Communities 3 Slide 4
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 4 Slide 5 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 5
Slide 6 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 Years Budget Starts
Nowif 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 lions 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 6 Slide 7 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 7 Slide
8 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 Governors staff Secretary of Education Administrative
Staff of the Department of Education 8 Slide 9 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
notehandwritten, signed, mailed* Letter or notetyped, signed,
mailed* Telephone Callmessage with staff Telephone Callspeak with
the legislator* Visit the district legislative officemake
appointment for legislator* Visit the district legislative
officestaff 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 9 Slide 10 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 constituentsyou are constituents both as individual citizens
and also when representing your program 10 Slide 11 What can YOU
do? Everyone can do something Dont 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 11 Slide 12 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 12 Slide 13 Contact Information Kim Rossman,
President [email protected] [email protected] JoAnn Weinberger,
Public Policy Chair [email protected]
[email protected] Earl Baker, PAACEs Government Relations
Consultant [email protected] [email protected] Your Regional
Representative Western Regional Co-Reps: Marcia Anderson and Lynne
Watson [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected] Central Regional
Co-Reps: Ruth Love-Schooley and Amy Wilson, [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected]
[email protected] Eastern Regional Co-Reps: Mary
Kovalchick and Shirley Moy [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 13
