Advocacy at the National Level NAME Conference October 15, 2009

Marjorie Rollins, LEC MAA Director Sutter County Superintendent of Schools Yuba City, CA Sue Hamblin, NMAS-JPA Director Stanislaus County Office of Education Modesto, CA Presenters:

“The action of advocating, pleading or supporting a cause or proposal” What is Advocacy? dictionary.com

The act of influencing or supporting The desire to change regulations, laws, institutional policies, court decisions The ability to speak out in favor of a particular position or policy …meaning? …meaning?

Anyone with an interest in supporting an effort or program Who Should Advocate?

Any private citizen can advocate Not all employees are allowed to advocate representing their employer Know your employer’s rules Can Anyone Advocate?

V OTE! How Do We Advocate?

Understand the Legislative Process And…

 Become Involved  Know your Representatives:  Know What Issues they Support  Know their Voting Record  Know their Committee Membership And…

Contact your Representatives and Voice your Opinions and Concerns And…

Ready to offer some serious support to your public policy efforts? Time To Get Serious

 Form Coalition or Advocacy Committee - strength in numbers  Communicate with others to strengthen your goals  Be specific, prioritize concerns First: Have a Plan

 Hold focus group meetings  Identify key leverage points  Prepare to approach legislative supporters with your concerns  Identify the “ASK” Focus and Prepare

Ready for your trip to Washington, D.C.? Washington, D.C.

Building an itinerary for your visit Choose a time to visit when representatives are in session Make appointments with your representatives first Begin by:

Make appointments: State where you are from State who you represent Speak authoritatively requesting your predetermined date and time Be persistent – you are an important meeting! Be sure they understand! Preparation is Key

Call early in the morning, prior to 12:00 noon Speaking in person with ‘scheduling secretary’ offers much more success in getting appointment Call for Appointment:

“Urgent and Imperative” “Delegation” “Absolutely require meeting” Hint: Do not be shy! Key Words:

“It is imperative that Dr. John Jones, Superintendent of Schools and CA Delegates, meet with you April 21, :30 – 5:00 or April 22, :00 – 2:00. Please let us know which dates and times work best for you to meet with us.” s are Effective

After Appointment is made, follow up with or FAX to confirm. Add explanation and background of program you will discuss Some legislative offices only work by and some only by FAX. Be flexible Follow-up

Biographies of legislators are available on web Know their interests and their policy commitments Biographies

 Know who is chair of committee important to your cause Organizational charts

 Gather all research and put into binder or folder. Should include:  Itinerary – detailed with date, time, location - including office number, staff contact person, phone numbers  Biographies  Support documentation Final Preparations

And... Do not forget your camera!

 Program status  The “ASK”  Supporting documentation  Identification (business cards work) Handouts

For each meeting, choose a “Lead Person”. Take the cue from lead to determine when it is best to talk Possible to have a pre-selected lead for each topic or portion of discussion Stick to the ‘Message Points’ Suggested Protocol

If using a local example, be certain it represents a statewide point School representatives work best when educating and informing Exchange business cards Suggested Protocol

Be on time. No, be early! Use only your designated appointment time. Address Senator as Senator and Congressman as Congressman or Congresswoman Suggested Protocol

Always send a “Thank you letter for the meeting” Thank-you letter can include more specific local information Exchange business cards Thank-You Letters

A “Thank you letter for their support” is appropriate anytime. Drop into the office and leave your card with a “Thank you letter for their support”. You need not see the legislator. Thank-You Letters

Follow up with Advocacy Group Supply brief summary of meetings and results Summarize