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Building Powerful
Advocacy Leaders:
Step-by-Step Strategies!
Presented by
Kathy Moffat & Shereen Walter California State PTA
California State PTA Convention – May 1, 2015
1
Overview
Workshop Goal: Provide advocacy leaders with a step-by-step strategy and information to help improve and strengthen the advocacy programs in their units, councils, and districts
Questions: Ask throughout workshop or in Q&A session at the end
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PTA: Our Purpose
Promote the welfare of children and youth inhome, school, community and place of worship.
Secure adequate laws for the care andprotection of children and youth.
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Largest Child Advocacy Org.
For 118 years, PTA has worked toward improving the lives of all children and youth in education, health and safety
Over the decades, PTA has emerged as
• A powerful voice for all children
• A relevant resource for families and communities
• A strong advocate for public education
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The Power of Advocacy
PTA members answer an historic call to action:
“Let us have no more croaking as to what cannot be done; let us see what can be done, and above all see that it is done.”
– Alice McLellan BirneyPTA Founder
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PTA: A Century of Caring
PTA has a long legacy of successfully influencing state and federal policies on issues affecting children and youth.
1900s – Juvenile Justice & Child Labor Laws
1910s – Establishment of Kindergarten
1920s – Nationwide Children’s Health Project
1930s – Nutrition & Emergency Services
1940s – National School Lunch Act
1950s – Salk Polio Vaccine Trials
1960s – Child Protection & Toy Safety Laws
1970s – Television & Media Violence
1980s – HIV/AIDS Education Program
1990s – TV Ratings & National Education Goals; Class-size reduction campaign
2000s – Parent Involvement Standards define in Federal Law
2010s – State Anti-Bullying Law; “SMARTS” Arts Education campaign
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Recent PTA Advocacy Activity
Changing the age for Kindergarten admission and establishing a transitional kindergarten program
“Chelsea’s Law” adopted to crack down on child sexual predators
Mandating access to free drinking water for all students at school
Establishing standards for beverages served in day-care centers
Qualifying Proposition 38, the School Funding Initiative in 2012
Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) information and training for PTA members
2015 - Endorsed federal legislation to require all children to have completed age-appropriate vaccinations as a condition of participation in Head Start
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What is PTA Advocacy?
Supporting and speaking up for children in schools, communities and before
government bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.
PTA advocates speak not just for their child, but for all children!
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PTA: Basic Policies
California State PTA Bylaws:
Noncommercial
Nonsectarian
Nonpartisan
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PTA: Nonpartisan
PTA does NOT:
Endorse or help any candidate or political party, including those running for school board or other nonpartisan offices
Invite only one candidate to speak at a meeting
Distribute candidate campaign materials at a PTA event
Wear candidate campaign paraphernalia at a PTA event
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PTA: Nonpartisan
Leaders and members may…
Campaign as individuals
But not at a PTA event
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PTA: 501(c)(3)
Charitable
Contributions are tax deductible
File informational tax return
Not for private interest
Shun partisan activity
Limit lobbying
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PTA: 501(c)(3)
To retain our tax exempt status, PTAs may not:
“devote more than an insubstantial part of their activities to influence legislation.”
“participate in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for national, state or local public office.”
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PTA: IRS Compliance
Failure to comply may endanger the 501(c)(3) nonprofit status of your:
Council
District
and STATE
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PTA: Taking action
The California State PTA Board of Managers
is responsible for taking action on
state legislation and state ballot measures.
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California State PTA Positions
How does California State PTA take a position on legislation and/or ballot measures?
An issue must…
affect the education, health, and well-being of children and youth;
be of statewide significance;
fit within the Purposes of the PTA and the framework of the Legislation Platform; and
be consistent with recorded PTA positions.
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Sources of authority
Legislation platform principles and planks
California State PTA convention resolutions
Position statements and resolutions adopted by the CAPTA Board of Managers
National PTA convention resolutions
National PTA Board of Directors position statements and legislative directives
Previous PTA action on the same issue
Purposes of the PTA
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PTA: Legislative activities
PTA districts, councils and units are encouraged to be involved in legislative activities…
By supporting California State & National PTA positions on legislation needed to achieve the Purposes of the PTA; and
By supporting or opposing local issues that affect children in their respective communities based upon a study of the issue and a vote of the association.
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Supporting State PTA positions
Local PTAs do not need to affirm a California State PTA position in order to take action.
Unit, Council, and District PTAs should not officially oppose a position taken by California State PTA.
Unit, Council, or District PTAs may recommend action on state-wide legislation to the California State PTA Board of Managers.
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Taking Action on Local Issues
Unit, council and district PTAs are responsible for taking action on local issues originating in schooldistricts, cities, regions, or counties, if such action fits within the framework of the Purposes of PTA and legislation platform, adheres to PTA policies, and affects the well-being of children and youth.
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Taking Action on Local Issues
Your PTA will appoint a study committee to gather facts, investigate carefully and prepare a final report.
The district PTA president should be informed of any projected study by a unit or council.
Your PTA unit, council or district must vote to support or oppose the issue.
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Strategies for Successful PTA Leaders
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Successful PTA Leaders
Inspire and encourage others to work to achieve common goals
Have a vision
Are passionate
Focus on Priorities
Communicate
Delegate
Allow others to reach goals their own way
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Successful PTA Leaders
Groom future leaders
Share leadership
Listen
Act decisively
Recognize contributions
Embrace change
Use the California State PTA Toolkit
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Successful PTA Leaders
Maintain a procedure book
Keep your PTA president informed and obtain approval for all plans and activities
Ask for help for your District or State PTA leadership team
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Advocacy Chair: Responsibilities
District and council advocacy chairs demonstrate leadership on children’s issues by educating PTA members, community members and elected officials about PTA’s issues of concern and legislative priorities and goals
District Advocacy chairs are responsible for trainings andevents that support district and councils
Council Advocacy chairs support activities within their council as well as at the unit level.
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Advocacy is a continuum…
Every Unit, Council, and District is in a different place with advocacy.
Levels are:
Newcomers
Continuing
Advanced
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ALL Advocacy Chairs should:
Request advocacy to be placed on every meeting agenda and give a legislative report.
Present issues affecting the school and community
Discuss legislative activities at all levels of government
Circulate materials from Council, District, State and National PTA when available.
Keep your report objective, factual and brief
Speak at every meeting!
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ALL Advocacy Chairs Should:
Write articles for your PTA newsletter
Establish a method for sharing PTA Legislative Alerts with members
Take Action on Legislative Alerts
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Advocacy Chairs Should:
Maintain current contact info for all elected representatives in your area:
School Board Members
City Council Members
County Board of Supervisors members
State Assembly Members
State Senators
US Congress members
US Senators
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Developing an Advocacy Team
Assemble your team
Have an introductory meeting
Set clear team goals
Plan your advocacy program and assign tasks
Create a contact information sheet
Set up regular meetings
Establish a budget
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Developing an Advocacy Team
Develop a strong Advocacy Team Make sure multiple geographic areas are represented
Look for people who:
Have different skill sets
Are team players
Are responsible and hardworking
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Possible Team Assignments:
Advocacy Newsletter Editor Advocacy Roundtable Chair Community Relations Chair Legislative Issues Chair Legislator Visit Chair Sacramento 1-day Trip Chair Sacramento Safari Chair Speakers Bureau Training Chair
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How to recruit Legislative Chairs34
Volunteer Power
Tips for recruiting and engaging volunteers
Invite people…personally.
Ask the principal, teachers, and superintendent if they have encountered any potential volunteers.
Be diverse and inclusive.
Consider “virtual volunteers” – those who can help from home.
Consider the skill sets of different generations.
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Volunteer Power
Tips for recruiting and engaging volunteers
Empower volunteers
Say “Thank you”
Welcome new ideas.
Try again.
Build a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.
Have fun!
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Effective Council Advocacy37
Training: Attend District Legislative Chair training
Obtain an Advocacy Leadership Guide, free from the California State PTA (also available to download from our website at www.capta.org)
Purchase an Advocacy Resource Notebook from the California State PTA.
Attend District events throughout the year
Hold monthly meetings with unit Legislative Chairs: Update on current issues
Seek feedback
Use guest speakers to talk about topics of interest
Effective Council Advocacy
Communication Forward monthly Council/District advocacy newsletter
Use websites, social media, advocacy alert emails andexisting PTA resources to keep members informed
Share timely information quickly
Give a report at every Council PTA meeting
Develop Unit Leg Chair e-mail list
Create Council-wide legislative list serve
Update advocacy page on Council Website
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Effective Council Advocacy39
Get to know your school district superintendent: Work with your Council President to schedule meetings with your
superintendent
Share information on PTA advocacy priorities and action plans
Get to know your school board: Encourage attendance at school board meetings
Speak at school board meetings on an issue or topic
of importance to your PTA
Invite school board members to speak at your
meetings
Effective District Advocacy40
Six components of a successful District advocacy strategy:
1. Develop a strong Advocacy Team
2. Ensure as many Councils as possible have Legislative Chairs and an advocacy budget
3. Set clear goals
4. Establish committee chair positions
5. Provide lots of training and support to your Councils and Units
6. Keep your Council and Unit Leg Chairs well informed
Effective District Advocacy
Ensure Councils have an Advocacy Chair and a budget
Start talking to incoming Council Presidents in June
Explain why Council Advocacy Chairs are so important
Share your Advocacy Team program
Offer your Advocacy Team’s services
Request that they budget for advocacy expenses
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Effective District Advocacy
Set clear goals. Examples:
Develop an action-oriented, knowledgeable, and effective District PTA Advocacy Group
Establish a District PTA Legislative Agenda
Promote strong working relationships withelected officials (local, state, federal)
Reach out to other local organizations
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Effective District Advocacy
Training and support for your Councils and Units
Provide in-depth training at beginning of school year
Provide an Advocacy Leadership Guide to each Council Legislation Chair
Encourage purchase of an Advocacy Resource Notebook Produce monthly Advocacy Newsletter and Talking Points
Host Advocacy Roundtables Sponsor Sacramento trips / Promote
CAPTA Legislative Conference
Offer Speakers Bureau
Furnish copy of Legislative Agenda
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Effective District Advocacy
Keep your Council and Unit Legislative Chairs informed
Offer a legislative list serve for all members and send out frequent updates
Hold regular meetings with Council Leg Chairs
E-mail Council Leg Chairs on current issues
Keep advocacy portion of District PTA website current
Post on Facebook
Tweet using your District’s hashtag
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Effective District Advocacy45
Legislative Agenda
Advocacy in Action
Participate in one of the following: Initiate a letter-writing, e-mail or call-in campaign to
communicate legislative priorities to legislators
Organize a local rally to highlight an
important PTA message
Organize a voter registration Drive
Host a Candidates forum
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Advocacy in Action
Participate in one of the following: Educate voters with a candidate questionnaire
Mobilize to help pass a local school bond or other local ballot measure
Write a convention resolution
Encourage PTA members to attend meetings with state legislators and local government officials
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Stay Informed
Sacramento Bee – www.sacbee.com
Rough and Tumble – www.rtumble.com
California State PTA – www.capta.org
National PTA – www.pta.org
Sign up to receive list serves from:
Your school district
Council and District PTAs
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PTA Resources49
Web Resources
Legislative Analyst’s Office www.lao.ca.gov
EdSourcewww.edsource.org
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More web resources
California Department of Education –www.cde.ca.gov
Ed Data – www.ed-data.k12.ca.us
Office of the Governor – www.gov.ca.gov
State Department of Finance – www.dof.ca.gov
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Events to attend
Local School Board Meetings
California State PTA Legislative Conference in Sacramento
California State PTA Convention
EdSource Forum
District PTA-sponsored visits to Sacramento and other advocacy events
Your local County Department of Education events
National PTA Legislative Conference
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Leadership Quotes
Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.
John Maxwell
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
John F. Kennedy
Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish. Sam Walton
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Contact information for the California State PTA guest speakers:
Kathy Moffat, Director of [email protected]
Shereen Walter, Legislative Advocate
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