Washington Update: International Education and Advocacy Steve Bell Old Dominion University Interim Executive Director, International Programs Director, Study Abroad Kari Lantos NAFSA Manager, Grassroots Outreach Fanta Aw American University Assistant Vice President, Campus Life Director, International Student and Scholar Services *Welcome audience *Introduce session title and presenters *Inform audience that session will focus on National Advocacy. State level advocacy is not part of session. *Explain that NAFSA has put advocacy at the forefront of its work. *Ask audience…… Why did you come to this session? Why is advocacy important to you?

What is Grassroots Advocacy? We all have a role to play Passion for Issue Activating Members Constituent Influence No Special Skills Skills Can Be Learned On-Going Process Many Ways to Be Active Steve’s transition from why me to why not me (in terms of advocacy) We all have a role to play Passion for Issue Activating Members Constituent Influence No Special Skills Skills Can Be Learned On-Going Process Many Ways to Be Active

2007 Public Policy Successes House and Senate reintroduce the Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act Unanimous passage in the House of the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Act of 2007 NAFSA participates in immigration reform debate

2008 Public Policy Successes OPT extended for STEM students NAFSA’s outreach to presidential candidates Representatives from major campaigns participate in annual conference panel “Stand Up for Simon” advocacy campaign ACTION Act of 2008 introduced in the Senate NLGA passes resolution supporting an U.S. International Education policy

2009 Public Policy Successes Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act reintroduced President Obama supports international education State Department announcement regarding visa applications

Who Else is Lobbying Congress? As of September 30, 2009: 14,847 registered lobbyists 5,700 registered lobbying organizations Representing just over 20,000 clients

Legislative Issues Simon Study Abroad Act Immigration Reform

It’s a process Legislation doesn’t pass overnight Can take years to get passed Takes patience and persistence

NAFSA Grassroots Tools

How to Get Involved Take Action Register for ACT Blog Facebook Twitter Advocacy Day 2010 *Kari to make screen shots.

Take Action Center

Advocacy Centered Team

NAFSA Blog

Simon Facebook

Twitter

Advocacy Day

Recruiting More Supporters? Think about people who benefit from legislation you’re writing on Think about people who come in contact with your international and study abroad students Include faculty, colleagues, students, alumni, host parents, study abroad parents, etc. IEW events Study Abroad Re-entry Conferences Ask audience…. Who are potential supporters of International Education issues? Who benefits from International Education legislation? Who comes in contact with your international and study abroad students? What about faculty, colleagues, students, alumni, host parents, study abroad parents, etc.? How do we get people involved? What about doing advocacy at…. *IEW events *Study Abroad Re-entry Conferences

Questions