Policy Training Session Nelda Brown, Policy Director National Service-Learning Partnership

Agenda  Legislative Update – Josh Stearns  Preparing to Mobilize – Nelda Brown Timing & Targets Message, Materials & Media Coalitions & Contact  Developing Your Own Mobilization Plan  Wrap-Up and Next Steps

Legislative Update  Policy Report provided by Josh Stearns  Sharing from Directors on Key State Policy Developments  Discussion of Implications or Opportunities for the States

Preparing to Mobilize  TMC – Exploring the Components of an Effective Mobilization Strategy T iming and T argets M essage, M aterials and M edia C oalitions and C ontact

The “T’s” of Mobilizing  Targets – Be specific about who to influence and why. Who do you want to reach at the Federal level? Who do you want to reach at the State level? What do we know about what works and what doesn’t work?

The “T’s” of Mobilizing  Timing – Be strategic about when to activate your members. Are there key times during the legislative cycle? Are there strategic holidays or special events? When should you activate your membership? What works and what doesn’t work?

The “M’s” of Mobilizing  Message – Position what you want. What is your policy agenda? What message resonates with Federal policymakers? What message resonates with State policymakers? What works and what doesn’t work?

The “M’s” of Mobilizing  Materials – Package your message. Develop and distribute State/Campus profiles. Develop your Legislative Message and Appeal (Talking Points/The “Ask”). Compile politically-relevant Research Summaries. What what works and what doesn’t work?

The “M’s” of Mobilizing  Media – Get the most out of “service- learning in the news.” How can you leverage national print media? Campus Presidents’ Speeches. Consider holidays as opportunities to place op-ed pieces or letters to the editor. What works and what doesn’t work?

The “C’s” of Mobilizing  Coalitions – Find strength in numbers. With whom in your state (or at the national level) should you form coalitions? Who gives you added voice or credibility and in what areas? How can leverage student involvement? How might can express support through collective sign-on letters or promotion through their networks? What works and what doesn’t work?

The “C’s” of Mobilizing  Contact – Make contact with key officials and/or their staff in effective ways. Capitol Hill/Statehouse Days to Showcase Your Work. Targeted Letter-writing Campaigns to Legislative Staff Members (rather than actual elected officials). Virtual March on Washington/the Statehouse. A New Spin on the Traditional Petition Individual Appointments and Visits to District/State Staff What works and what doesn’t work?

Develop Your Own Mobilizing Plan Think about the T-M-C approach to mobilization.  What are your policy goals and how and when will you mobilize?  What pieces do you already have in place?  What could you easily start or implement in your state?

Report Out  Review ideas from other states.  Comment on what you’ve seen, heard or will take away.  Consider how you might modify your own plans.

Next Steps  What happens next?: How are you collectively going to organize to take action considering recent developments in Washington? What additional information or support to you need from the national Campus Compact staff? When will you check in to share reports on progress made or to identify areas of need?

Thank you for participating in this session. For questions or more information, please contact: Josh StearnsNelda Brown Campus CompactNational Service-Learning Partnership Phone: (401) Phone: (202)