do now !
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Do Now !. Identify 2 things you think you have done to advocate for CTE. Identify one thing you think your organization did last year to advocate for CTE. Write your advocacy activities on the charts on the wall. ADVOCACY. Strategies for Influencing Decision Makers - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Do Now !1. Identify 2 things you think you have done
to advocate for CTE.
2. Identify one thing you think your organization did last year to advocate for
CTE.
3. Write your advocacy activities on the charts on the wall.
1
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
ADVOCACY
Strategies for Influencing
Decision Makers
“Making Our Common Voice Count”
Dr. Constance H. Spohn
Lead Technical Assistance Specialist
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Why Discuss Advocacy?
1. Not doing a good job promoting
ourselves/CTE
2. Our content, courses and programs are
value added for students.
3. We need to be prepared to answer ???s
4. Want to be at the table when decisions are made. Opportunities presented by the BOR
5. There is power behind the collective group
6. Our commitment to CTE
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
What is Advocacy?Speaking or writing in support of something:
• Using the media to get your message out• Visiting your local legislators• Sending business letters / faxes / e-mails• Making telephone calls on important issues• Sharing “Fact Sheets” with decision makers• Inviting legislators/decision makers to visit your CTE
Centers/programs• Presenting to various groups on 21st Century CTE• Raising community awareness through collaboration with civic
organizations and community agencies• Presenting important data to school boards• Letters to the editor
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Who do we need to influence?• Administrators• Boards of Education• State Education Department• State Legislators
Assembly Senate Governor• Federal Legislators Senate
House of Representatives President
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Why Advocate?
• Lack of support from policy makers – elimination of your programs
• Support can result in increased funding or more effective policies to better serve students.
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
What to Use When?
• Something is going to happen immediately: Faxed letters Phone calls E-mails – especially with staffers you know
• If you have a longer time period and want to provide detailed information and :
Write a letter Make a personal visit
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Basic Guidelines
Know Your Legislator/Decision Maker
• Where do they stand?• How do they vote?• What is their political philosophy?• Do they support your position?
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Where do I get information?
https://www.acteonline.org/issues.aspx?id=226
http://www.nysenate.gov/senators/
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/
Successful Practices Network
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Guidelines Continued
Identify yourself – • Are you a constituent?• Career and Technical Education
professional – area of expertise• Your role in the broader advocacy effort –
member ACTEA, ACTE, NYSACTE• Use the common talking points developed
here• Leave business card or contact information
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Guidelines Continued• Be Prepared:
Know your issue!
Impact on community, state, country
Use research, stats, and facts• Be Specific:
Action you wish legislator to take
Hold them to the commitment
Refer to specific legislation if possible
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Guidelines Continued
• Be Concise:
Limited time to devote to issues
One to two page fact sheet
Highlight key issues• Be Constructive:
Pleasant, polite, “soft-sell”
Identify problems, offer solutions
Do not threaten!
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Guidelines Continued
• Follow-up Follow legislation Make further contacts Keep the pressure on – key times• Continue the connection: Congratulate! Thank Share further information
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Some Other “Do’s”
• Be positive• Make links to district or interests• Consider the political impact• Know the opponents arguments• Admit to not knowing answer• Personalize issue• Sensitive to time• Arrange for a visit
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Don’t …
• arrive unexpectedly and expect to be seen• be late, call ahead if you are• be confrontational or threatening• try to discuss too many issues• give incorrect information, lie or make up
information
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Letters and Faxes
• Personal letters most effective, but…• Keep it short• Use appropriate address and salutation
Address: The Honorable (full name) Salutation: Dear Senator (last name)
• Be Positive• Ask for a reply• Establish self as resource• Write neatly – grassroots appearance• Type – professional appearance
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
E-Mail and Phone CallsE-Mail and Phone Calls
• E-mail Summarize your views in subject line
Keep Content Short - Bullet points Same rules for letters• Phone Calls Ask to speak to person who handles issue
you are calling on Identify yourself and issue – short, focused Thank you, considering views
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Issues Impacting CTE
• Fiscal Year Budget and Appropriations• Carl D. Perkins (Perkins IV)
Career and Technical Education Act• Workforce Investment Act• American Competitiveness and STEM• Race To The Top
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Who Can Help You?
• Students• Parents• Other CTE professionals – sharing and
working together• Business Persons• Community Representatives• Other Legislators
Successful Practices Network
www.nyctecenter.org
Questions ??
Thank you!
Contact Me:
Connie Spohn
518-723-2138