the abcs of good advocacy educating for careers pathways to success the abcs of good advocacy teri...

Educating for CareersPathways to Success

The ABCs of The ABCs of Good AdvocacyGood Advocacy

Teri BurnsEducation Advocateteri@teriburns.comFebruary 13, 2012

GET GET ORGANIZEDORGANIZED1. Do your homework.

2. Understand your issue.

3. Why is the issue important?

4. History – is it a new issue? Has it been debated before?

5. Who supports your issue?

6. Who opposes your issue?

7. Where is your issue relevant – Federal? State? Local?

8. Who will help you in this effort?

UNDERSTAND THE PROCESSUNDERSTAND THE PROCESS

• The Federal, State and local legislative processes are different. Be sure you know how policy is enacted in the venue you are working in.

• Is your issue a regulatory issue? Is it legislative? Does it refer to a constituent service?

• If it is regulatory – find the commission who has jurisdiction.

• If it is legislative – call or write the capitol office of your state or federal representative (you can find their addresses on the web).

• If it is locally related – call or write the district office of your state or federal representative.

• If it pertains to your city or county, contact your representative on your County Board of Supervisors or City Council.

• If it is related to schools, contact your school board.

KNOW YOUR TARGET AUDIENCEKNOW YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

Federal issues – Congress

State agency – Governor

State issues - Legislature

County issues – Board of Supervisors

Local issues – City Council

Local School issues – School Board

Who are your resources?Who are your resources?

• Who can help influence your target?

• Who knows your target?

• Who knows your issues?

• Meet together or separately?

UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF KEY PLAYERS IN THE UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF KEY PLAYERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY PROCESSLEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY PROCESS

Legislators/Local elected leaders

Other elected officials

Staff –

Chief of Staff;

Legislative Assistant;

District Director

Committee

Staff Director;

Chief Consultant;

Analysis, Reports, etc.

Other Legislative PlayersOther Legislative Players

• Department of Finance

• Legislative Analyst

• State Board of Education

• State Department of Education

• Other state agencies

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE?WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE?

Personal meeting

Personal letter vs. Form letter or postcard

Phone calls (phone banking)

E-mail

WHERE TO FIND THEMWHERE TO FIND THEM

• Capitol Office• District Office• Fundraisers• Public meetings/Town Halls• Community Meetings• Newsletters

IDENTIFY YOUR CONCERN AND PROPOSE A IDENTIFY YOUR CONCERN AND PROPOSE A SOLUTIONSOLUTION

OROR

FIND SOMEONE TO CHAMPION YOUR ISSUEFIND SOMEONE TO CHAMPION YOUR ISSUE

Elected official Industry leader

Staff member Trade association

Non-Profit Constituent

Other government agency Community leaders

DEVELOP YOUR MESSAGE…DEVELOP YOUR MESSAGE…

• Make it compelling – let your passion for the issue show

• Make sure your facts are accurate

• Find out from the beginning what the opposition may say

• Remember – BE POSITIVE! Even if the community leader you are talking to does not agree with you.

Before meeting your Before meeting your elected officialelected official

• Schedule an appointment

• Have a manageable size group

• Decide in advance who will start the conversation for your group

• Know the key points you want to make

• Have a 1-pager or leave-with document

The MeetingThe Meeting

• Arrive on time, but prepared to wait

• Introduce yourself. It’s a good idea to give the Legislator(s) or staff your business card

• Have your lead start right out

• Allow the conversation to flow

• Don’t be afraid to bring them back to your topic

IssuesIssues

• Identify the legislator’s level of expertise

• Explain issues thoroughly

• Give reasons for your positions

• Link your issues to the legislator’s own

• Share personal examples

DELIVER YOUR MESSAGE…DELIVER YOUR MESSAGE…• Make your request specific – do you want legislation? Do you

want support? Do you want them to oppose a policy? (Remember what restrictions your organization may have.)

• Offer a solution to the problem you are advocating for.

• Ask for a specific response – if they tell you they will look into it, ask if you can call them in a few days to follow up.

Goal: Educate not AlienateGoal: Educate not Alienate

• Answer questions honestly

• Don’t commit to provide additional information or complete a task unless you plan to do it

• Don’t get baited into arguing or losing your temper

• Don’t over-stay your welcome

After the MeetingAfter the Meeting

• Follow-up on requests for information in a timely manner

• Send a thank you letter for their time and consideration, even if they didn’t agree with you!

• Share insights with your leadership

Resource WebsitesResource Websites

Federal Legislation State Senatehttp://Thomas.loc.gov www.sen.ca.gov

State Legislation Assemblywww.leginfo.ca.gov www.assembly.ca.gov

California Department of Education CA Legislative Analystwww.cde.ca.gov www.lao.ca.gov

Calif. Dep. Of Finance Workforce Investment Board www.dof.ca.gov www.cwib.ca.gov

CAROCP CALCPwww.carocp.org www.calcp.org

FINAL THOUGHTS…FINAL THOUGHTS…

• Don’t get discouraged – it often takes years and a lot of hard work to make policy changes.

• Keep working – persistence pays off.

• Find ways to educate community leaders and their staff – host briefings, add them to your mailing list, invite them to your sites and events.

• Remember – you are playing an important part in public policy. It is our duty and right to advocate!