1. Looking in the Crystal Ball: The Future of the CAN Network CAN Meeting June 7, 2014

2. Successful Grassroots = Policy Victories Case Study: President Obama!

3. Being Heard in a Highly Competitive Environment $3.2 Billion Million in Lobbying Costs in 2013 ($91 million on education) 12,341 Registered Lobbyists (about 23 per Member of Congress) Diversity of issues, interests, resources, priorities CEC Relies on You, Its Premiere Grassroots Advocates!

4. Most Active States…Still Not Active Enough! 1.PA 2.MI 3.IL 4.AZ 5.CA 6.FL 7.NC 8.TX 9.VA 10.NY 11.MO 12.GA 13.KY 14.OH 15.MA 16.NJ 17.TN 18.MD 19.UT 20.WI

5. The Situation… Competing priorities of CEC members leads to… Lack of time to engage in CEC Policy Issues which leads to… Lack of support/interest/advocacy for our policy issues which leads to… Legislation/Policies which may not be in the best interest of children and youth with disabilities/gifts and talents, professionals

6. What do we do? Discussion Questions ▫Is the CAN Network as effective and efficient as it can be? ▫What are existing efforts that are working? Which are not? Idea Swap!!! ▫How can CEC do a better job of engaging & supporting CAN Coordinators? ▫Other topics?