WHY YOU SHOULD BE AN ADVOCATE! Robbie Stewart Business Education Fayetteville High School

WHY GET INVOLVED? Future of CTE depends on advocates Everyone must plan an active role in legislative and regulatory arena to improve public policies Legislators listen to what their constituents (voters) have to say – Visible – Persistent in communicating cause

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS Participating in ACTE legislative advocacy efforts Visiting your Members of Congress Placing telephone calls Writing letters/faxes/ s Developing fact sheets Hosting site visits Presenting testimony Raising community awareness Targeting the media

GENERAL GUIDELINES Know your Legislator Identify yourself Be prepared Be specific Be concise Be constructive Follow up Continue the connection Update ACTE and AACTE

Know Your Legislator Learn as much as possible about your legislator Where they stand on issues How they have voted in the past What is their political philosophy

Identify Yourself Identify yourself as a constituent Provide address, location of school and congressional district CTE professional Area of expertise Member of ACTE and AACTE

Be Prepared! Know your issue Know the legislation you support and impact it will have on school, program, community, or nation Know and use research, statistics, and facts Success stories from current and former students Personal accounts

Be Specific! State the action you want legislator to take; – Vote in a certain manner – Introduce legislation – Co-sponsor a bill – Sign a “dear colleague” letter – Make a floor statement Refer to specific piece of legislation by its number

Be Concise! Legislators have limited time to devote to any one issue Sending letter, fax, – Fact sheet – Summarize your points Visit, face-to-face meeting – Highlight key issues – Leave fact sheet and background information

Be Constructive! Be pleasant, polite, and use “soft-sell” approach Do not threaten or make negative comments Looking for continuing relationship Confident, share information in positive manner

Follow-Up Follow legislation throughout the process Contact legislator several times on one issue – Prior to committee vote – Before a floor vote – When lots of press activity on the issue Keep the pressure on them through your continued contact on the issue

Continue the Connection! Congratulate them on honors received or elections won Send thank you notes for actions taken – show appreciation Share a news article or research study on your program – publicize your program

Update ACTE Share information with Public Policy staff – Want to hear about your legislator’s support or opposition to position – Willingness to co-sponsor legislation or other issues

Visit your Member of Congress Make your appointment in advance Do your homework Be on time, flexible, and brief Select a spokesperson Make local connection State your purpose of your visit Use your expertise and share success stories Discuss how your program serves the community Listen carefully and answer questions truthfully Summarize major points Leave promptly Follow up

DO’s and DON’TS DO: Be positive and friendly Know your issue, provide relevant research, data, and facts Look for link to district or state Know opponent’s arguments Admit if you don’t know an answer Leave your name and contact info Write a thank you note Follow-up Arrange for legislator to visit your program KEEP IN TOUCH! DON’T: Don’t arrive unexpectedly and expect to be seen Don’t be late, call ahead if you expect a delay Don’t be upset if member can’t see you personally Don’t be confrontational or threatening Don’t try to discuss too many different issues Don’t give incorrect information, lie or make-up information

Corresponding With Policymakers Never underestimate the power of a constituent’s contact! Personalized communication from constituents is the most effective at all levels.

Making Your Communication More Effective Keep it short. Use appropriate address and salutation. Use the correct title, address and salutation and spell each correctly. Be positive. Ask for a reply. Establish yourself as a resource.

Writing To make your more effective: Summarize your views in the subject line. Make it short and efficient, for example: “YES ON S. 2.” Whether consciously or subconsciously, staffers will always see the subject line in their windows. Keep content short. Limit your message to a few paragraphs. is designed for quick messages, not lengthy discussion. It’s best to use bulleted points, as in a fact sheet. Otherwise, the same rules hold true as with letters: Use appropriate address and salutation. Be positive. Establish yourself as a resource. Ask for a reply.

Calling Policymakers For contacting your Member of Congress, find your legislator’s phone number either by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at: (Senate) or (House), or visiting the ACTE Legislative Action Center. If you need further assistance, please call ACTE at Once connected to the office, ask to speak to the staff member who handles education or workforce development issues (depending on what program you are calling about). After you have identified yourself, tell the staff member the reason you are calling—remember to keep your remarks short and focused. Remember to say “Thank you for taking my call and considering my views” – even if they disagree with you.

Using Research in Advocacy Fact Sheets – Focus your topic narrowly – Organize the Information for Impact – Start with Statement of Purpose – Follow Up with a Series of Points to Make Your Case – Conclude with a Call to Action – Keep it Brief – Strive for Polished, Professional Look – Include Contact Information – Distribute Your Fact Sheet Widely – Keep documentation of your facts.

Legislative Tours/Host a Visit Get Permission Determine Goals Develop a Draft Agenda Invite Your Legislator Follow up with the Scheduler Determine Press Activities Conduct the Tour Include Supporters Make Your Pitch Follow Up

Presenting Testimony Prepare Your Written Statement – Briefly introduce yourself – State your goal and outline your major points – Talk about the problem – Talk about current efforts to resolve problem – List your specific, concise recommendations

Presenting Testimony Delivering Your Oral Statement – You’re the expert: relax, calm, and speak – Personalize your testimony – Make eye contact – Remember time limit – Anticipate questions – Focus on specific issue – Follow-up

Building Community Support Partnerships – Local businesses – PTA – Media – Lions Clubs, Kiwanis, etc. Coalitions – Administrators, counselors, teachers, parents, students, business leaders, etc. – Activities Letter-writing campaign, meetings, telephone trees, sponsoring breakfast, etc.

Individual Activities Bring attention to your CTE Program Learning Experience Sponsor or attend candidate forums, town hall meetings VOTE!!!!!!!

ACTE’s Advocacy Resources CTE Policy Watch Blogs ACTE Legislative Alerts and Updates ACTE Policy and Advocacy Web page ACTE CTE Information Web page Advocacy workshops and training State Association National Policy Seminar Techniques Magazine ACTE Podcasts and Webinars

Involve Your Elected Official Funding (Perkins Money) Educational Laws (Tenure, DROP, Retirement) Awareness (Program) Experience – Knowledge of political process – Build confidence – Make connections – Resume building

Publicity Media – Specific Unique Timely Local Visual – Human Interest Stories – Informative/Awareness