Invite Your Legislator To Lunch - School Nutrition · 2017. 7. 10. · Title: Affiliation or Financial Disclosure Author: Toni Vega Aiken Created Date: 7/10/2017 4:45:57 PM

© COPYRIGHT 2017 SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSOCIATION | #ANC17 | ATLANTA, GA© COPYRIGHT 2017 SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSOCIATION | #ANC17 | ATLANTA, GA

Invite Your Legislator To Lunch

How to take the fear out of your visit

© COPYRIGHT 2017 SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSOCIATION | #ANC17 | ATLANTA, GA

School Lunch Is What????






School Lunch Is What????WE ARE HUNGRY!


School Lunch Is What???


Legislator 2 Lunch:What 2 expect when you’re expecting a visit


Origin StoryDan Gorman-FSD

• Hosted Lunch on the Lawn for state legislators for several years

– Minimal effectiveness

– Expensive

– Low participation

– Not true reflection of school meal

experience


Origin Story

Legislator 2 Lunch

• Was created at School Nutrition Association of Michigan (SNAM)

to assist members with grassroots advocacy in their districts

• Used as a mechanism to showcase their districts and school

nutrition issues and accomplishments

• Online turn-key tool

– Step by step plan

– Templates from start to finish


Origin Story

Benefits

• Brings the real faces and issues of school nutrition to the

legislators

• Can be used at all levels-federal, state, local

• Custom personalization to fit the district

• Heightened positive visibility of nutrition program


Getting StartedMandy Sosnowski-FSD





• Pre-planning Highlights

– Identify when they are in their home district

– Allow enough time for inviting legislators

– Talk to all key players

– Get your “house” in order

– Prep your staff

– Plan a great menu

– Alert media

– Prepare take away documents





• Day of Event

– Be photo ready

– Alert front office

– Have documents ready

• My Experience



• My Experience


No Experience Required!Jennifer Mattison-FSD

• Don’t be afraid! YOU CAN DO IT!

• Fear of the unknown????

• Seek support

• Use the templates



• Take the first step with an invite– Who to invite?

– How to find addresses

– Electronic vs Mail?

– Personalize invite

– Utilize the gatekeeper



• My Experience


How To Avoid HijackingSue Bevins-FSD

• What do you want to accomplish?– Showcase program

– Identify key issues to address

– Dine with the students

– Classroom visit

– Guest appearances

• Plan out your visit minutes– Welcome

– Tour kitchen or serving area

– Meet staff

– Allow extra time for program discussion


How To Avoid HijackingSue Bevins-FSD

• My Experience


What To SayDan Gorman-FSD

• Choose 2 to 3 major talking points

• Program information

– Enrollment, menu offerings, F/R rates,

program highlights

• Regulation impact

• Highlight program innovations


Take It To Go!Dan Gorman-FSD

• Simple infographics

explaining program

• Include district

highlights



• Highlight state and local numbers



• Highlight state and local numbers



• My Experience

– Build Relationships with Legislative staff


Change It Up!Mary Kurkowski-FSD

• Flexible to your needs

– Summer

– Breakfast

– Lunch

– Supper

– Farm to School


Change It Up!Mary Kurkowski-FSD

• My Experience

Collaboration builds relationships to meet the needs of our children.


Thanks For Coming!Mary Kurkowski-FSD

• Remember to follow up with legislators after


How Did It Go?Mary Kurkowski-FSD


Sarah Murphy YoussefProgram Manager

Government Affairs and Media Relations

School Nutrition Association


SNA’s Grassroots Strength

• Position Paper

comes from

SNA member

input


Stay Informed with Advocacy Tools

• SNA Website

• Tuesday Morning

• Legislative Action Center

• Fact Sheets

• FAQ’s

• Infographic


SNA’s Grassroots Strength


State Support Center


Tools and Tips

• Case Studies on state policy successes.

• State Advocacy template ppts.

• Tools to help with messaging

• Cafeteria Site Visit 101

• To hire a lobbyist, or not?

• Preparing a State Position Paper?


Stay Informed: State Legislative Trends

Second quarter report to be posted just before ANC


SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals


QUESTIONS?????


Contacts

• Dan Gorman

– [email protected]

• Mandy Sosnowski


• Jennifer Mattison


• Sue Bevins


• Mary Kurkowski

– mkurkowski@port-

huron.k12.mi.us

• Sarah Murphy Youssef


Not in attendance

• Carolyn Thomas


mailto:[email protected]






mailto:cthomas@


PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS CODE

• This session provides one (1) CEU

– Presentation Title: Invite your Legislator to Lunch

– Key Area: #4 - Communications & Marketing

– Standards Code: 4110– #SNAML2L

Documents

Invite Your Legislator To Lunch - School Nutrition · 2017. 7. 10. · Title: Affiliation or Financial Disclosure Author: Toni Vega Aiken Created Date: 7/10/2017 4:45:57 PM