Elected Officials are People Too Elected Officials are People Too!  How PR & Marketing Can Help Your Local Advocacy and Funding

PRESENTERS Bernice Crouse, Executive Director, Franklin County Library System (PaLA Marketing & PR Committee) bdcrouse@fclspa.org Jennifer Knisely, Executive Director, Altoona Public Library (PaLA Legislative Committee) director@altoonalibrary.org Rob Lesher, Executive Director, Dauphin County Library System (PaLA Legislative Committee) RLesher@dcls.org Marilyn Jenkins, Executive Director, Allegheny County Library System jenkinsm@eiNetwork.net Joe Kuklis, Founder & CEO, Wellington Strategies LLC jkuklis@wellingtonstrategies.com

What are your pain points in advocacy?

The Three B’s of Connecting BE PRESENT Get out into the community (public meetings, forums, etc.) Meet people one-on-one BE OPEN Actively listen to the needs of community representatives Invite elected officials to your library BE YOURSELF People appreciate sincerity

Makes it Easy Visit Pennsylvania Library Association’s website: palibraries.org or use the black PA Forward Memory Band Copy or modify other librarians’ excellent work Find sample programs, media kits, press release templates, clip art for signage, editorial calendar, and much more

Local Impact Yields Results Get to know your local elected officials – you never know where they’re going to end up! School Board City Council Township Supervisors County Commissioners Visit local offices – as often as possible! Use the PA Forward fact sheets as conversation starters

Local Impact Yields Results Ask your elected officials: About constituents’ concerns How the library can help (and include that in your Strategic Plan) To visit the Library (for a tour, special event, photo op, get a library card) http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2017/09/blair-endorses-library-support/

Take advantage of opportunities

Participate in National Library Legislative Day Every May Spectacular training day House & Senate Main Issues Discussed Success

Remember: Elected Officials are People! Understand what motivates them Provide opportunities for good press Host “office hours” & public forums “Follow” them Become a familiar face Leverage the power of numbers Library directors Board members Friends Users Partners

Don’t overwhelm: use targeted marketing materials Research the particular interests of elected officials Education? Workforce development? Special needs? Aging? Community health? Key your message to THEIR issues Be succinct Use memorable and meaningful statistics A picture (or infographic) is worth 1,000 words Create leave-behinds Always find a reason to FOLLOW UP

Keys to success with elected officials Start local Build relationships Use your WHOLE network Say a lot in a few good words Keep coming back!

REMEMBER: Elected Officials Are People Too So get to know them!