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Building and Maintaining a Coalition of Concerned and Committed Business Leaders in Pennsylvania Diane E. Halstead Director- Business Partnerships Pennsylvania Key Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission
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Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission Why do business leaders make a difference in child advocacy? Lessons learned….. Business leaders grab the attention of legislators and the media They are “unlikely messengers” Perceptions matter Style matters Making a credible “investment argument”
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Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission What convinces business leaders to become legislative advocates for children? Making a significant difference Improving the company’s image with employees Enhancing the company’s appeal to customers Strengthening leadership skills Networking
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Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission How can you recruit business leaders to be “champions” for children? Be strategic Opinion leaders drive thinking on current issues Highly influential business leaders Tap into their desire for involvement Many want to “give back” to the community Ask them to get involved in legislative advocacy…“roll up their sleeves”
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Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission How can you work effectively with business leaders? Take business leaders into the early childhood community – ECE site visits builds “experiences” Develop a concrete legislative agenda Staff them – support with talking points, research, and local data Determine what other resources businesses can provide
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Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission Tips for partnering with business leaders… Use business leaders’ time sparingly & strategically Become “bilingual” and “bicultural” Be prepared to share the stage & assume new role Develop realistic timeframe Celebrate successes…no matter how small
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Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission (ELIC) Goal: Build a permanent, sustainable network of business champions who understand the solid connection between quality early childhood experiences and a strong Pennsylvania economy, and who effectively communicate this message to other business leaders, members of business- related groups, and policy makers.
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Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission ELIC Work Plan - Responsibilities: Attend 2 face-to-face meetings each year (Fall Prep & Spring Summit) and group calls around advocacy Media outreach: Opinion-Editorials, letters to the editor, press events Early childhood program site visit – not just a photo op! Speakers’ Bureau – PPTs prepped, leave behind materials produced, secure site, run equipment Legislative & gubernatorial advocacy – training & support materials…3 touches Support to regional organizations interested in building local coalitions of business leaders
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Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission Regional coalitions…building a state-wide “net” Summit – facilitates regional collaboration, level-set everyone Commission – forms “core” of regional effort & consistency in messaging, critical mass needed Local organization – “staffs” members, leads effort State Director – provides guidance and support to regional teams
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Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission Diane Halstead Director – Business Partnerships PA Early Learning Investment Commission 301 Market Street, 9 th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17101-2224 717-213-2069 diahal@berksiu.org
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