1. VASN Legislative Update
Becky Bowers-Lanier, EdD, MSN, MPH, RN
VASN Advocacy Consultant
Special Guest: Holley Tillman
247 Campaign Manager

2. What we’ll discuss
VASN Legislative priorities for the 2019 General Assembly session
Improving health of children
Through school health services provided by licensed nurses
Through prohibiting tobacco smoke, smokeless, and electronic nicotine on all school campuses
Nuts and bolts of contacting your legislator
Who they are and how to find them
When to contact them and what to say
How your voices get heard

3. If you remember nothing else. . . .
It’s all about interpersonal relationships
Get to know them before you need them
Patience is a virtue; be in it for the long haul
Policymakers put their skirts on the same way we do.
Boy Scout motto. And if you make a promise, keep it.
Don’t do this alone; join with other like-minded groups
Deliver facts. And stories.
When advocating with others, sing off the same sheet. You don’t have to sing in unison, but you do need to sing in harmony.
Honesty is really the best policy.
If you remember nothing else

4. How do we advocate? Very personally.
You have one state senator, one delegate, one elected county supervisor or city councilor, one school board member.
The bedrock of advocacy is personal relationships—getting to know them before you need them.
That means right now.
Talk about what you do in your job every day to keep students healthy and in school.
Make it “real” for them by telling about a student whom you’ve helped to become more successful in school. In what ways did you do that?

5. What can we expect in the 2019 General Assembly session
Unrest.
Cranking up for the November elections (all 140 seats up)
Very modest budget amendments (second year of the biennium)
Increased emphasis on mental health (schools and in general)
Possible increase in school counselors
24/7 campaign legislation
What can we expect in the 2019 General Assembly session

6. What is the 24/7 campaign?
Presenting Holley Tillman and two Y Street Leaders from Norfolk!!

16. RESOURCES FOR YOUR SCHOOLS
Visit the 24/7 VA website to request a champions kit
Partner with us to get a full kit by helping us meet with your principal

17. Nuts and bolts How do I find out who my legislators are?
Facebook town hall site
Use your own personal address. DO NOT USE A SCHOOL ADDRESS
How do I respond to a call to action?
Know what you’re supposed to say.
Call capitol office or legislator.
State you are a constituent (give your home address).
Tell what you want him or her to do.
Do it within 24 hours of receiving the call to action.

18. Questions???