1. May 21st, 2018
Advocacy Workshop

2. What is Advocacy
Advocacy is an activity by an individual or group which aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions. – Wikipedia
The act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. – Merriam Webster
Advocacy in many cases is educating and informing.
Especially true in the Education sector

3. What is Advocacy Action alerts Personal emails Hand-written notes
Personal phone calls
Professional organizations
Walk-the-Hill
In Harrisburg or DC
Local legislative drop-ins or appointments
Volunteering
Presenting at an event or sitting at a resource table
Rallying students/others to advocate

4. Why is Advocacy Important
Laws are the statutory basis for ALL of our regulations that impact our work and our students
Can be at the federal or state level
Created by folks who are not working in our field
Lack an understanding of the impact
Fueled by political motives
If you want to have better/beneficial rules and regulations then you must advocate

5. Why is Advocacy Important
We must have experts in the field to educate our lawmakers.
Make the connection to the way in which the idea or concept of the bill will impact our sector.
Create legislation that makes sense and has the intended impact.

6. Why is Advocacy Important
Because your “reason” is important.
What is your reason?
Access to education
Affordability
Fairness
Transparency
Opportunity

7. What Does Advocacy Look Like
We will run through some scenarios that you may run into when you are on your advocacy journey.
Each meeting is unique. Being flexible, knowledgeable, and quick on your feet is important.
Never “shoot from the hip” – If you don’t know or don’t have the data, just say so. It can be a great reason to connect later.

8. The Friendly Official
You may have the privilege of meeting with someone who fully supports your reason. You are on the same page and connecting to reinforce your stance.
Dialogue can be deeper here because the knowledge is already there.
You should provide compelling data or student testimonials to leave with this official to use in their rallying of support.
Ask who else you should be contacting to garner support.

9. The Skeptic During your advocacy efforts you will run into the skeptic
Believes that the government should be backing away from efforts within education.
Believes that funds, time, and effort should be better spent elsewhere.
This is where educating comes into play
Have statistics on hand to back success or even ROI
Student testimonials are terrific here
Don’t get frustrated

10. The Flippant
“I’m not on that committee, sooooo” and then the blank stare….
Generally uncomfortable feeling
Another opportunity to educate
Important to reconnect if/when bill comes out of committee and onto the floor.
Anyone can co-sponsor a bill, on committee or not.
A “one-sheeter” can be very helpful and impactful for this type of meeting.

11. The Hallway
It is not uncommon to find yourself standing in a hallway or walking with someone to their next meeting. Meeting space is limited and these are busy places.
Use the time you have, this is normal on the Hill (state and federal)
Make/use your impact statements
Remember to hand off your card and materials
Be appreciative of the time

12. The Cancelation
You arrive for your scheduled meeting and you find out that it has been cancelled.
Don’t be too discouraged
Ask if another person or legislative/congressional aid is available
These folks are as important if not more so than the legislator.
Our legislators rely on their aids to be the expert in various fields
Meeting with an aid is key to adding your perspective to this office
At the very least, leave your position paper, card, other materials and follow up later.

13. Next Steps Who do you want to contact? Where? Why?
(Federal)
(Federal)
(State)
For bills coming out of our state legislature, a good resource:

14. Next Steps Get to know your legislators
Who are the champions for education?
Find personal, relatable stories
Gather student testimonials (with permission to share) where possible.
Create a “one pager”
Easy to read
Charts are good
Quick talking points
Be memorable! Offer to be a resource on an area of expertise

15. Next Steps Comment on an NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Bills are statutory, after we have the statutory framework comes regulatory
NPRMs indicate the way in which the statutory laws will be implemented as policy and rules within our sector
Your input here is invaluable!
Public and open comment period, you can influence the way in which the rules will work
Advocacy doesn’t stop once a bill is passed!

16. Remember You are the expert You are the voter
Your reason and cause are important
Both your time, and theirs, is valuable
Follow up
Never “shoot from the hip”
Be a good resource
Encourage others

17. Summary
Call to make your appointment. Ask if you can visit with the representative if he/she is available.
Arrive on time and well-prepared. You are the expert. Have your talking points, any handouts and materials you wish to provide, as well as a leave-behind one-sheeter.
Provide your contact information.
Get a picture for social media!
Follow up with an or hand-written note, thanking them for the time but also letting them know you’re interested in being a point of contact for the future.