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Advocacy
Guiding the Way to Inclusion Conference
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 25, 2017
Session Overview
1. What is advocacy?
2. Reasons for advocacy
3. Levels of advocacy
4. Nature of advocacy
5. Advocacy with NACAC
Definition of Advocacy
Social Activism occurs when individuals act as the conscience and voice of many people within a society. Activists draw attention to a particular issue within a society and attempt to make the problem better through awareness, funding, or governmental legislation.
http://blackleadership.virginia.edu/civil-rights-social-activism (University of Virginia, Explorations in Black Leadership)
Reasons for Advocacy
• It’s fundamental to democracy.
• The US is a big, big place, and only you can raise your own voice.
• The odds are never in our favor, so voices matter.
• The kids need us.
• It’s for everyone, not just people who live and breathe politics.
Reasons for Advocacy
Levels of Advocacy• Local school boards and boards of trustees
o https://www.nsba.org/about-us/frequently-asked-questions
o https://www.agb.org/
• State Legislature/Administrationo http://www.ncsl.org/
• Federal Legislature/Administrationo www.house.govo www.senate.gov
• The Media
The Nature of Advocacy
• Don’t assume knowledge of you or issues.
• Never pay attention to the odds, because they’re always against you.
• It’s frustrating.
• Policy is personal.
• You are the expert.
• Advocacy opens doors.
NACAC Decision-Making
• Affiliate government relations committees
• NACAC Government Relations Committee
• NACAC Board of Directors
• Staff Implementation
NACAC Advocacy Priorities
SPGP
• Professionalism
• Collaboration
• Trust
• Education
• Fairness and equity
• Social responsibility
NACAC Advocacy Priorities
Domestic (US)
• Equitable access to college prep curriculum
• Support for school counselors
• Increased need based financial aid
• Student protections
• Support for undocumented students
NACAC Advocacy Priorities
Global
• Promoting student mobility
• Ensuring ethical practice and ethical treatment of students
• Education as a public good
• US education policy issues relevant to the international community
NACAC Resources for Advocacy
NACAC Resources for Advocacy
What you can do in the Legislative Action Center—
• Find information about and write to your state and federal legislators
• Participate in NACAC and Affiliate action alerts
• Find background information about NACAC policy priorities
• View advocacy letters sent by NACAC to policymakers
• Sign up for the advocacy email list
NACAC Resources for Advocacy
NACAC Resources for Advocacy
Follow the Wonk:
@NACACWonk
NACAC Resources for Advocacy
NACAC Research
Ways to Advocate
• From your desk – Action Alerts, Petitions
• Within Affiliates – Hill days, GRC
• Through NACAC – DC Hill day, GRC
• On your own –
– relationship building: meetings, host legislator on campus
– “guerilla” tactics: earned media, social media
Ways to Advocate
• Meeting Tips
– Have clear objectives, even if it’s just to introduce yourself
– Develop concise talking points and resources
– Be honest, courteous, and direct
– Be flexible
– Follow-up: keep the conversation going
We’re at the White House! (In 2016!)
NACAC Board member Jayne Fonash testifying before the Senate Finance Committee, June 2014
Join us today!
Stay in touch:
Mike Rose, Director of Government Relations
David Hawkins
