Updated: February 28, 2015

Democracy is not a Spectator Sport It is a “Contact” Sport

 Effective Advocacy  How to be Heard in Olympia  Advocacy Tips & Tricks  Resources 3

 Be informed: ◦ about the PROCESS ◦ about the ISSUES ◦ about the PLAYERS 4

How a Bill Becomes Law: aka “Structured Chaos” 5

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 WASA ◦ Web site: ◦ Newsletter: TWIO – This Week in Olympia ◦ End of Session Report  WSSDA, AWSP, PTA, WEA, OSPI 8

 Legislators: ◦ What District? ◦ What Committee assignments? ◦ Leadership position? ◦ Issues of interest/expertise? ◦ Personal information: occupation, social/civic memberships, schools attended, church affiliation, hobbies 9

Additional Players in the process:  Legislator’s personal staff  Committee staff  Caucus staff  Agency liaisons  Lobbyists 10

 Contacting your legislators ◦ Personal letters ◦ Phone calls ◦ ◦ Face-to-face meetings  Public testimony 11

 Tips: ◦ Think about your timing ◦ Stick to one subject ◦ Be brief ◦ Be positive; be polite ◦ Ask for action – and a response ◦ Think about letters from students ◦ Avoid form letters ◦ Say “thank you” 12

 Tips: ◦ Ask for legislator or specific assistant (know the players) ◦ Name, title, school district ◦ Focus on one issue/bill ◦ State your position—be prepared to provide rationale for position ◦ Ask for your legislator’s position 13

 Tips: ◦ See tips for “writing to your legislator(s)” (slide 11 ) -AND - ◦ Limit to very short messages or if timing is crucial ◦ Provide your full postal address (address of voter registration) 14

 Tips: ◦ Schedule meeting well in advance ◦ Note subject matter and attendees ◦ Do your homework (know the process; issues; and players) ◦ Prepare presentation; select spokesperson ◦ Introduce yourself and/or team 15

 Tips, cont’d: ◦ Briefly present your case  “just the facts” – avoid emotion  note the impacts  use visuals ◦ Leave one-page summary ◦ Follow up with written “thank you”  re-state your position  provide answers to questions 16

 Prior to testifying: ◦ Prepare your remarks in writing if possible—provide to Committee staff ◦ Be punctual to hearing ◦ Locate sign-in sheet  Sign in with full name and address  Note support or opposition to bill ◦ Be mindful of amendments or substitutes to your bill 17

 Making your remarks: ◦ Introduce yourself; clearly indicate who you’re representing, if anyone ◦ Be brief and be clear about your position ◦ Avoid technical jargon, acronyms ◦ Be prepared for questions—but don’t answer if you don’t know (“I’ll get back to you”—AND then follow through) 18

 Establish an ongoing, personal relationship with your legislators  Know your legislator’s staff  Keep Association staff informed  Collaborate with community groups  Attempt to personalize issues with names of students, teachers, school buildings, etc. 19

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 WASA:  Education Associations: ◦ WSSDA: ◦ AWSP: ◦ WEA: ◦ PTA:  Education Agencies: ◦ OSPI: ◦ SBE: ◦ PESB:  Legislative-related: ◦ Legislature Homepage: ◦ Governor’s Homepage: ◦ LEAP (Budget info): 22

If you don’t advocate for your students, your district and your staff, who will? You can be sure someone will speak up—and they may not have the same information, experience or position as you. Legislative Advocacy— Why be Involved?

“The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing” -Charles F. Aked ( )

 An educated citizenry is critical to the state’s democracy; a well-educated population is the foundation of our democracy, our economy, and the American dream  Public education plays a critical role in promoting equality, operating as the great equalizer; public education provides unprivileged citizens with the tools they need to compete on a level playing field with citizens born into wealth or privilege 25

 Education plays a critical role in building and maintaining a strong economy; public education builds the well-educated workforce necessary to attract more stable and higher wage jobs to the state’s economy  Washington’s duty to education is constitutionally declared to be its paramount duty  In summary: Public education is a wise “investment” in the future 26

Daniel P. Steele Assistant Executive Director, Government Relations 825 Fifth Avenue SE Olympia, WA Engaging with Legislators Updated: February 28, 2015