Go GETM! Glenda Dashiell, Columbia SD Edri Geiger, Vancouver SD Tricia Lubach, Quincy SD Michael Kelly, Centralia SD Legislative Advocacy: Have No Fear! 1

This is not a test! Do a quick check-up to see if you have the fundamentals to successfully engage at both state and federal levels. What is your Advocacy Status? 2

How did you do? Are you surprised? What is your Advocacy Status? 3

What is your Advocacy IQ? As a school board As a director As WSSDA member Effective advocacy work is extremely important What gaps did you identify? 4

The importance of legislative advocacy Legislative and policy decisions made in Olympia and Washington D.C. can have a profound effect on the schools, students and teachers in your district. 5

The importance of legislative advocacy Examples of legislation that impacts our districts:  NCLB (federal and state)  Unfunded Mandate  End of Course Exams (EOCs)  (impacts instruction, district budgets, graduation requirements)  Huge impact on students and families  Common Core  Smarter Balanced tests fully computerized - technology, budget & infrastructure impacts  staff training requirements  TPEP School directors are in a position to make a significant difference in the legislative process 6

The importance of legislative advocacy Examples of School directors making an impact:  Additional funding from McCreary decision  SDs told legislators to fund MSOC and Transportation before all- day kindergarten and they listened Legislators cannot read your minds! They must hear from you and your board about how legislative decisions will impact the lives of children, families and teachers in your schools. (WSSDA's Effective Advocacy for School Directors in Washington State) 7

It’s all about relationships The way you influence people is by building relationships with them  Takes time  Requires persistence 8

Building Relationships Learn about your legislators  Most effective means of communication  What information is most useful to them  What their interests are 9

Building Relationships Learn about your legislators  Their personal lives/family  Their professional lives  Political views  Committee assignments 10

Learn about your legislators Most effective means of communication What information is most useful to them What their interests are Building Relationships 11

“Every legislator is different, but they all go back to the people they represent and have to live with the laws they create.” Megan Walsh, Legislative Assistant for 25 years Building Relationships 12

Become an “Education Expert” - their go-to person to contact when they need information about an education issue Building Relationships 13

Make yourself memorable -Do some homework about legislators -Find something you have in common -Wear a name tag & give them your card -Remind them of your last visit Building Relationships 14

Building Relationships Getting started:  Get involved at local level, work your way up  Bill yourself as Elected Official representing school district constituents  School directors often seen more as school volunteers than elected officials, but many have more power than most local mayors & city councils 15

Building Relationships It’s not as hard as it sounds  Take it slowly, building relationships over time  Don’t force it  You don’t have to know everything  Short and sweet wins the race 16

Know the hierarchy Legislators will always prioritize their constituents first, so start with your own legislators Building Relationships 17

Building Relationships Make your efforts year-round  Invite legislators to your district  Visit them in Olympia  Communicate with them regularly, not just when you need something  Don’t be afraid to ask questions 18

Building Relationships Work with WSSDA’s experts  Marie Sullivan is WSSDA’s Director of Governmental Relations  Read her legislative updates during session  Get information from her about legislation & legislators  Attend Legislative Boot Camps and other trainings 19

You are an elected official just like the legislators and the governor You represent the same constituents Have no fear! “But I’m not a politician!” 20

Remember who your constituents are… Core Principals of Effective Advocacy 21

Core Principals of Effective Advocacy Education supporters :  Are varied  Can hold different perspectives  May have competing interests 22

Education competes for resources …even after McCleary Core Principals of Effective Advocacy 23

All decisions are political Core Principals of Effective Advocacy 24

Core Principals of Effective Advocacy Good laws take time Easier to kill a bill than pass one 25

Core Principals of Effective Advocacy An opponent today may be a friend tomorrow Don’t burn bridges 26

Core Principals of Effective Advocacy Quality NOT quantity matters 27

Core Principals of Effective Advocacy Be a problem solver: provide solutions Become an expert to your legislators Find out how they receive & use info Provide info in their preferred format 28

Resources Review Legislator fact sheet pg Goal: Get to know as much as possible about each legislator 29

Plan for Effective Advocacy How will I bring this information back to my board? What are some easy ways we can start an advocacy program or kick ours up a notch? What are our biggest goals in this area? What is my role? 30

Plan for Effective Advocacy Short-term (year) & long-term plan  Goals  Action steps  Benchmarks  Self-evaluation  Timelines  Identify opportunities for board to do work together 31

Where can I get more information? Questions & Answers Legislative Advocacy 32