What is Museums Advocacy Day? The American Association of Museums’ Online Advocacy Training Series Have no fear! We’ll explain muting, Q&A and other details when we start.
Topics About the Online Training Session Who’s Speaking? Welcome from American Association of Museums What is Museums Advocacy Day? How Does it all Work? Why is it Important? What Issues Will Be Discussed? How Do You Get Involved? How Can You Promote the Event (and your museum)?
About the Online Training What’s Happening? Mute Only Mode Q&A Recording and Follow-Up Materials
Who’s Speaking?
Welcome from American Association of Museums Welcome from Gail Ravnitzky Silberglied Director, Government Relations & Advocacy at AAM Museums Advocacy Day 2012: A Field-Wide EventA Field-Wide Event
Where are we Starting? Let’s go to the polls!
What is Museums Advocacy Day?
How Does it All Work? Pre-Event Information – What to Know Before You Go Webinar Scheduling of Meetings (by Constituency / Community) At the Event Itself
According to a report from the Congressional Management Foundation: Most of the staff surveyed said constituent visits to the Washington office (97%) and to the district/state office (94%) have 'some' or 'a lot' of influence on an undecided Member, more than any other influence group or strategy. When asked about strategies directed to their offices back home, staffers said questions at town hall meetings (87%) and letters to the editor (80%) have 'some' or 'a lot' of influence. Why is it Important? Citizens Have More Power Than They Realize
In a word, EVERYONE Directors Staff Board members Friends/supporters Small businesses that serve museums Coalition partners (schools, community groups, chambers and others) Who Should Go?
What Issues Will be Discussed? Education Public Relations Advocacy (Key: The Ask!) Lobbying
What Issues Will Be Discussed? Proactive Issues – IMLS – ESEA – Historic Preservation – Economic Impact – NEA – NEH … All Manner of Acronyms!
What Issues Will Be Discussed? Reactive Issues (In DC, we’re ALWAYS waiting on Capitol Hill) Museums Advocacy Day materials will be available on the Museums Advocacy Day site as SOON as they are finalized In the meantime, familiarize yourself with the issues!issues
How Do YOU Get Involved? Review Materials on SpeakUpForMuseums.org SpeakUpForMuseums.org Pledge Your Support Spread the word! Most Important – Register! And Encourage Others to do the Same Use the Publicity Toolkit!
Who’s Speaking? Dewey Blanton Director, Strategic Communications American Association of Museums
Museums Advocacy Day Publicity Toolkit: Purposes Convey the museum value message Extend the reach of Museums Advocacy Day Gain Added Publicity for Your Museum Gain Added Publicity for Your Advocacy Efforts Spark a National Conversation on the Value of Museums
Publicity Toolkit: Elements Press Release Template Media Pitch Template(s) 3 Customizable Op-Eds – Economic Impact – Educational Impact – General Community Impact Letter Template to Museum Members, Board to Get Involved
Publicity Toolkit: Easy Easy to Use, Easy to Find – – Click on “Museums Advocacy Day” Downloadable Customizable AAM Can Help Check it out!
In an Ideal World… Congressional “One-Two Punch” Congress Hears From... – You in DC – Your Supporters at Home... While Community Hears Through the Media * Result: A National Conversation on Museums * Check out the Toolkit.
What Other Resources Are Available? Register for our future online training sessions! Visit SpeakUpforMuseums.org to sign up for Advocacy Alerts or send letters to your legislators!SpeakUpforMuseums.org Buy Speak Up For Museums: The AAM Guide to Advocacy!Speak Up For Museums: The AAM Guide to Advocacy Work with your AAM Government Relations & Advocacy team – they are here to help.
Final Questions or Comments? AAM Contact Information onlineContact Information Gail Ravnitzky Silberglied Director of Government Relations & Advocacy Phone: (202) Carla (Myers) Wilson Assistant Director of Government Relations & Advocacy Phone: (202) Ember Farber, Grassroots & Advocacy Manager Phone: (202)