The Role of the State Coordinator & The Importance of Grassroots Advocacy

State Coordinators: Who Are We?  Active principals or assistant principals  One from each state association  Each state association determines: -Whether the position is elected or by appointment -The length of term (a minimum of 3 years is recommended by NASSP)

State Coordinators: What Do We Do? Coordinators’ Responsibilities: 1)Promote NASSP’s advocacy agenda & highlight the achievements of NASSP’s grassroots advocacy in the states 2)Serve on the NASSP Board of Nominators 3)Encourage participation in NASSP programs & activities

State Coordinators: What Do We Do in Advocacy? As Advocates, we:  Serve as active members of the NASSP Federal Grassroots Network (FGN)  Encourage NASSP members in our state to join the FGN & send action alerts through NASSP’s Principal’s Legislative Action Center (PLAC)

State Coordinators: What Do We Do in Advocacy? (cont.)  Participate in all sessions related to federal education policy at the annual NASSP conference  Attend the annual NASSP State Coordinators Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. (June 24-26, 2013)

The Importance of Grassroots Advocacy

Who Advocates For You?  NASSP Director of Government Relations, Amanda Karhuse  NASSP GR Manager, Jacki Ball  NASSP State Coordinators  State Lobbyists (in some states)  Federal Grassroots Network  …and hopefully you!

What Does NASSP Government Relations Staff Do for Us?  Conduct outreach to members of Congress and staff (Hill visits, phone calls, letters, etc.)  Develop stance on key issues; conduct research; collect and share input from members; and educate legislators and the public through briefings, blog posts, etc.

What Does NASSP Government Relations Staff Do for Us?  Work in coalitions on common agenda  Bring members to the Hill 5x/year  Raise awareness of the role of the school leader through National Principals Month, National Assistant Principals Week, and other events and opportunities …all to promote excellence in school leadership

Why Your Voice in Federal Advocacy Is Important  At the federal, state, & district levels, legislators make decisions every day that affect YOUR school  You want policies to be enacted with you, not to you  As a leader in your community, you set an example with your civic participation

Grassroots Advocacy: What Do I Get Out Of It?  Have a real impact on the federal policymaking process  Become an expert on federal education policy and funding to leverage your influence in your community  Network with other passionate school leaders  Develop personally and professionally as you grow in your policy knowledge & involvement

Grassroots Advocacy: What You Can Do  Join the Federal Grassroots Network -network of over 200 advocates -receive 2 s/week: preview of events in federal policy (Monday), & summary of events (Friday) -engage in advocacy, including action alerts, correspondence with legislators & staff, & stories/data to inform policy

Grassroots Advocacy: What You Can Do (cont.)  Connect with your State Coordinator  Invite legislators to visit your school  Meet with your legislators/their aides in DC or in your district/state  Share with NASSP staff your stories/data to help support & inform our advocacy  Share your success stories!

What’s It Like to Go on the Hill?  Hear from the 2012 NASSP/Virco Assistant Principals of the Year about their experienceexperience

What Does a Meeting Look Like?  2012 CT Principals of the Year with Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT) 2012 CT Principals of the Year with Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT)  2012 SD Principals of the Year with Rep. Noem (R-SD) 2012 SD Principals of the Year with Rep. Noem (R-SD)

Thoughts on Advocating  “Our day on the Hill developed in me a new level of advocacy. It raised my awareness of our responsibility to be strong lobbyists for education.”  “If non-educators are making uninformed decisions about educational policy, it is our responsibility to inform them accurately and thoroughly of the potential impact of their decisions.”

Thoughts on Advocating  “I have always been skeptical about an individual's effort to be heard by those in leadership on Capitol Hill; however, after my visits to my state's delegation I am certain of one thing...you WILL NOT BE HEARD if you don't sit down with them and engage them in conversation about the things that matter to you.”

Thoughts on Advocating  “My trip to Capitol Hill was politically life-changing. As a result I won't hesitate to use my voice to advocate for my kids and our educational system.”

My Thoughts on Advocating  (State coordinators should use this slide to insert a quote and/or a picture of them on the Hill, and then share with the audience their own thoughts about the importance of advocacy as school leader)  It’s also helpful to let them know that you went through a steep learning curve too, but feel confident advocating now and they can, too!)

20 Congressional Staff In your opinion, how effective are each of the following lobbying activities in influencing or shaping members of congress’ decision-making on legislative issues? Copyright 2012 Columbia Books Inc You Don’t Need to be in D.C.

NASSP Grassroots Advocacy Effective Resources  Federal Grassroots Network ( Amanda Karhuse at to  Principal’s Policy Blog  Principal’s Legislative Action Center #NASSPSC

NASSP Grassroots Advocacy Effective Resources (cont.)  NASSP position statements NASSP position statements  NDD & CEF sequestration toolkit NDD & CEF sequestration toolkit

NASSP Advocacy: Success Stories  2012 OR Assistant Principal of the Year Sean Burke’s meeting with Rep. Bonamici (D-OR)  Language from all 4 of NASSP’s key bills in Senate ESEA reauthorization bill  Mandated teacher evaluation criteria in Senate ESEA bill removed in part as a result of NASSP coalition work

NASSP Advocacy: Vision  We Will Have a Strong Principal Advocate in each of the 435 Congressional Districts  Will You Help Us Get There?

Where Do I Start? Today:  Amanda to sign up for the Federal Grassroots Network  Connect with your State Coordinator, offer your contributions to advocacy when you’re able

Where Do I Start? Beyond Today:  Reach out to your legislators’ education staff & offer yourself as a resource  Invite your legislators to visit your school  Learn from your State Coordinator how to successfully advocate through in- person meetings, calls, s, PLAC & Twitter!

Small Group Activity Examining Our State’s Grassroots Activities  Is advocacy a regular part of the agenda at your state association conference or other conferences you attend?  How informed, comfortable, and motivated do your colleagues seem to engage in advocacy?  What can your state association do to increase engagement & participation in advocacy?

Questions?  Insert your name & contact info here  Amanda Karhuse, NASSP Director of Government Relations  Jacki Ball, NASSP GR Manager