Leveraging Influence Through Effective Policy Advocacy Dr. Lori Tubbergen Clark Newaygo County RESA Dr. Scott Menzel Washtenaw Intermediate School District Naomi Norman Washtenaw Intermediate School District

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #10 A Year-Round Effort At least six times a year, buy your legislator breakfast, lunch, dinner or whatever to have a face- to-face conversation.  Send an agenda of what you'd like to talk about a few days prior so there are no surprises.  Developing the relationship is key. I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #9 Be a Good Winner & a Good Loser Don't burn bridges. Your adversary on one issue may be your ally on the next. Write a thank-you note to your legislator no matter the outcome. I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #8 Do Goal Association Work Review the platform that your legislator ran on, or what their caucus is endorsing.  Be strategic in aligning the goals that you want to accomplish legislatively with your legislators' platform/goals.  I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #7 Educate Invite lawmakers to your office or other appropriate locations to put a face on your issue. They value the opportunity to learn more about an issue from an "expert" in the field and like photo-ops of being visible in your facilities.  Connect your issue with people, programs and/or services you provide.  Make it real for them. Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #6 Compromise Be flexible. What can you realistically achieve now? Be patient and work on the rest of your agenda later. Sometimes achieving your goal can take several legislative sessions.   I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #5 Align Your Goal With Other Organizations/Voices There's strength in numbers. Think volume. This is true for financial support and for all forms of communication. Remind your lawmaker how many people in your organization and other organizations share your position. (This equates to votes in their minds.) Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #4 Networking Make sure you are on your legislator's mailing list and include them on yours as well.   I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #3 Know Your Position Ask your lawmakers to state their position. If their position agrees with yours, ask what you can do to strengthen that support and how you can get others to help support them. If their position is different from yours, ask what information or show of public support is necessary to change that position.  I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #2 Use Examples to Communicate Your Position Explain the logic of your position in straightforward terms — jobs, cost, how many people will be affected, etc. Always have detailed information you can give to explain your logic. In all communications, be sure to include the bill number, as well as your name, postal and e-mail addresses, and phone numbers.    Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Top Ten Lessons Learned for Effective Advocacy #1 Respect Their Time Get to the point fast, and focus on the issues. They'll appreciate your consideration for their busy schedules. I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…

Bonus Material No one is better positioned than YOU to help elected officials understand the implications of every policy decision they make (statute and funding). Maybe a picture of the river from you back deck? 

Differentiating between “lobbying” and educating to influence policy Bonus Material Pitfalls To Avoid Differentiating between “lobbying” and educating to influence policy I think we should talk specifically about the opportunity available to ESA superintendents/CEOs who happen to have key legislators in their area (Goeff Hansen, Adam Zemke, both parties)…