Election Organizing Understanding Politics and your role in achieving improvements in public education through political activity. John and Bob Thank you for helping us with this training As you go through these slides there will be notes to help guide the discussion If there are any changes, corrections, etc. that need to be made to this presentation please let us know after the LCT training. Thanks again.

Politics What? Who? Why? How?

What is Politics? What do you think when you see or hear….? Politics – State Politics – Local Politics – Introduce this topic by writing the word “politics” on a piece of clean newsprint (or if the group is small enough, just get verbal responses from group). Ask the participants to indicate what they think of when they see or hear the word “politics.” Write their responses on the newsprint (again, if the group is small enough just get verbal responses) Repeat the same process for the words “state politics” and “local politics.” Check back over the responses on the newsprint and see what is Positive, what is Negative

What is Politics? Positive? Negative? Politics is often considered to be an incomprehensible process-one that is almost mystical in nature.

Why Get Involved? Why should you be politically active? Salary Tuition Tax Credits Transfer/ Promotions Class Size Duty Free Lunch Retirement Benefits Employee Rights Certification Health Insurance Fringe Benefits Mandatory Classes Worker’s Compensation Length of School Year Social Security Participation Curriculum Testing Ask participants “What issues are decided on a political level?” Write their responses on newsprint or just write them on paper for the next slide and next question….

Who Decides? Look at your list of reasons to get involved. Who is responsible for making the decisions concerning each of those? So, why get involved? What does “Politics” really mean? From previous newsprint (Why Get Involved Activity) identify who are the decision makers for each item. More than one answer is correct for each decision. On several items guide the participants through the long list of decision-makers at all levels-local, state and national-identifying individuals by name or office. Some of the issues may also be decided by Boards such as State Board of Education, Professional Standards Commission, Teachers Retirement System, Department of Community Health and each of these Boards are appointed by the Governor

Politics- (pol·i·tics) The art of influencing or the attempt to influence people.

How Can You Influence Political Decisions? Individually Become aware of candidates and issues Campaign volunteer Give money to candidates Write letters to legislators Attend committee or community meetings Work in party politics as an individual Run for school board, county commissioner, legislature Vote!

How Can You Influence Political Decisions? Organizationally Find candidates to run for office Endorse candidates Work in campaigns Work as a part of the organization in party politics Exercise organizational clout in lobbying at the capitol Organize lobbying efforts at the local level- such as a letter writing campaign, or phone calls Take credit for victories The next slide will begin the discussion of political activity in campaigns

Now, the election process…..

Election Organizing Recruitment of Candidates Endorsement Local PAC’s After the Election

Recruitment

Where to Find Candidates: Educators (retired or active) – leaders in your school; those politically involved Political Parties – coordinate recruitment with county and state party officials Supportive members of School Councils Advertisements from the local association Community Groups – parent groups, church, civic organizations, etc.

Roles in the Recruitment Process The Role of the Local President, LCT and FPE members in this process: Understand demographics for voting, turnout, support Know the community, its leaders and possible supporters for the candidate Maintain consistency in relationships with candidates Role of the Local, LCT and President: Support the candidates you recruit Know what resources you have to offer Don’t make promises you can’t keep!

“Electability” and Allegiance to Association Ideals Viable Candidate – name recognition, has time to be a candidate and run a campaign Campaign Organization – has a structure for running a campaign that may be long and expensive Campaign Skills – ability to speak to crowds, and individuals; understands the issues Campaign Platform – Supports public education Supports public education employees Willingness to introduce legislation, and be an advocate

Endorsement Process

Endorsement Process Letters or Invitations sent to ALL Candidates Do a follow-up of non-responders (once) Selection of Volunteers for Interview Team(s) Local Questionnaire for Local Issues (optional) Appoint Chair of Interview team (may or may not be your FPE chair) Ask for help from other locals, your UD or GR division if necessary Be flexible in setting up interview appointments; candidates have very little time available during campaign season Pick a neutral site for interviews

Endorsement Process (continued) Interview Team should demonstrate diversity (race, gender, political persuasions, ESP’s and certified with various levels represented) – EVERYONE WEAR A NAMETAG Have light refreshments available Attempt to be fair to all candidates Move the process expeditiously as possible and stick to the time lines Team and local leaders should discuss reality of candidate Electability and long-term effects of endorsements before making recommendation.

Endorsement Process (cont’d) Submit recommendations to GAE for state legislative offices Candidates not selected should be notified by the local in writing For local candidates, (i.e. school board, etc.) the local FPE should notify the candidates of their endorsement and set up PR opportunities for presentation of checks, etc.

Endorsement Process (cont’d) IF A CANDIDATE IS ENDORSED, YOUR JOB HAS JUST BEGUN Volunteer Notify your members of the endorsement WORK FOR THE CANDIDATE

Local Fund for Public Education Committees

Establishing A Local FPE       The local Fund for Public Education Committee (FPE) Process is very important to endorsement and campaign success and requires a commitment of the local association leaders and members to ensure its success President of local appoints FPE Committee Committee elects the FPE Chair Committee and Chair elect the FPE treasurer (cannot be the local treasurer)

Develop Local PAC Guidelines Use generic GAE plug-in- document available from GR division Seek approval by your local association at local meeting Determine method for collection of FPE funds Examples: Reverse dues check off Payroll Deduction Fundraisers Submit registration with the State Ethics Commission – if you fail to do this, the FPE will not be allowed to make contributions to candidates (if the FPE is not registered and it makes a contribution the local can be fined by the state)

After the Election Call those who were endorsed and remind them of the role your local, and GAE played in helping get them elected. Stay in contact with endorsed winners to let them know you are informed, you know the issues, you will be watching, you will be involved and they must continue to support public education.

The Aftermath Dealing with unendorsed winners Set the meeting in a non-threatening environment Use meeting to establish a relationship Explain how the association can assist them as legislators Introduce them to key association leaders and staff Consider giving a late campaign contribution to help retire the candidate’s debt Establish communications with legislators and their LCT It is advisable to appoint LCT members who can be compatible with their legislators.

What to Do When They Won’t Respond Try to find a mutual acquaintance, preferably another legislator Try to determine if there is a member who has a relationship with the legislator Call the county political party officials Send members to the office of the legislator Enlist the help of GAE staff who may have relationships with the legislator The use of subtle pressure is sometimes necessary If none of this works, find someone to run against the legislator in the next election!!

Tracking and Involvement Between Elections Where can information be found? gaENews (send a blank email to gaenews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) www.legis.state.ga.us – to find bills and legislative calendars CapWiz (through www.gae.org and GR division site) Attend Local Board Meetings Take legislators out for a meal Network, join community organizations Invite legislators to local meetings Invite legislators to your school Attend GAE’s Lobby Day at Capitol Volunteer to lobby with GAE lobbyists and members

Understanding politics and the ways in which you can be involved is half the battle. Now that you are armed with this information you can work with your local association, GAE staff and elected officials to ensure we help elect friends of public education to all levels of government.