Advocacy Training December 10, :00 – 11:30 a.m.

Agenda and objective Objective: Give Advocates the tools needed to be effective during the legislative session Agenda: Introductions Storytelling exercise What is advocacy How a bill becomes a law and the legislative process Being an advocate Social media as an advocacy tool Take action and next steps

Introductions Name and organization What inspires you to work on behalf of children?

Storytelling Tell a story of a time you were “in the zone” for early care and education, or a time when you really felt you were making a difference. 1 storyteller, 1 interviewer/note taker Interviewer listens for values and skills/strengths

What is Advocacy? What does the word advocacy mean to you?

Advocacy vs Activism Activism –The use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike, in opposition to or support of a cause Advocacy –The pursuit of influencing outcomes that directly affect people’s lives; the work and effort that contributes to the betterment of others

An Effective Advocate “Effective advocates truly believe that just one person can truly make a difference” 7

An Effective Advocate What advocacy do you already do? 8

An Effective Advocate What barriers do you face in becoming an effective advocate? 9

Advocacy to empower How will advocacy empower you as a professional? Increased professionalism –Within and outside the field Better able to articulate what you do and why By being more intentional you are more efficient and effective 10

Amplify your voice Knowing the legislative process and the system for making policies assures your voice will be heard at just the right time

I’m Just a Bill 12

The Legislative Process 1.Idea: bill introduced 2.Committees: hearings, amendments 3.House and Senate vote 13 How a Bill Becomes a Law in (Basically) 3 Easy Steps

Step 1: The Idea is Introduced IDEA Bill begins process in the House Bill begins parallel process in the Senate Legislative author is found, Bill is drafted & introduced

Step 2: The Committee Process Bill is sent to the Committee which oversees that issue Bill is heard in Committee – legislators ask questions and debate and the public can testify. The committee can send the bill to the floor on its own, include it in the omnibus bill, or “kill” the bill. If Bill is still “alive” it can move forward alone or be included in the committee’s omnibus bill. Usually funding bills are included in a larger bill while policy bills may travel alone or can be included in the omnibus.

Step 3: The Finale Bill is voted on by the full House and Senate. If there are differences, they are sent to a conference committee for negotiation, Then sent back to the House & Senate floors to vote on the final version. Next stop: The Governor 3 days to sign or veto a bill (unless it is at the very end of the session). A bill may become also law during session if the Governor takes no action. The Legislature may overrule a Governor’s veto with a two-thirds majority.

Key dates in the 2015 Session January 6 – session begins Late January – Governor’s budget released Early March – February forecast Early April – spring break (Easter/Passover) May 18 – deadline for session to end

Geographic Information Services: Find Who Represents You

Being an Advocate 1.Know what you want 2.Be persistent 3.Involve others 20

Grassroots Pyramid Highly personal tactics (visits, handwriten personal letters, etc) Small number of grassroots advocates needed to have impact Less personal tactics (petitions, Day at the Capitol, etc) High number of grassroots advocates need to have impact The Grassroots Contact Pyramid was created by Grassroots Solutions, Inc

Build a Relationship with your Legislators Like dealing with your neighbor –Long-term relationship: they could be in office for many terms Stay in touch –Aim for four times a year: beginning of session (January), mid-session (March-April), end of session (June), outside of session (summer/fall)

Key points Know what you want to say. Stick to one issue per contact. Begin with your personal experience, then broaden the scope. Share no more than three or four key points to express your views. –Know your facts Be Concise!

Advocacy and Social Media

Take Action Put your voice in to action – write a letter

Keep it up! Citizen Lobbying is most effective when it is part of a grassroots movement. Talk to you friends, neighbors, colleagues, families about the issues you care about. Join the Think Small network

Thanks! Kat Kempe Think Small Leaders in Early Learning 10 Yorkton Court Saint Paul, MN 55117