public policy advocacy & you!
DESCRIPTION
Presentation on how to build your advocacy skills using the National Coalition for Literacy's Advocacy Clearinghouse and Toolkit.TRANSCRIPT
Presenters:
Jackie Taylor, Advocacy Chair, National Coalition for Literacy; President Elect, Commission on Adult Basic Education.Marsha L. Tait, Grant Manager, National Coalition for Literacy
Public Policy Advocacy &YOU!
Keeping Pace
National Coalition for Literacy
NCL’s Advocacy Clearinghouse and Toolkitwww.ncladvocacy.org
What You CAN Legally Dohttp://www.ncladvocacy.org/tklegally.html
What Is Advocacy?
Advocacy includes identifying, embracing, and promoting a cause.It is any attempt to shape public opinion, and promote the interests of your community.
—The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit
Organizations
What Is Lobbying?
A specific, legally defined activity that involves stating your position on specific legislation to legislators and/or asking them to support your position.
—Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI)
Advocating Versus Lobbying
Lobbying is always advocacy. Advocacy isn’t always lobbying.
—Gear Up for Capitol Hill, ProLiteracy
Educate Policymakers
—Gear Up for Capitol Hill, ProLiteracy
Support or No Support
No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.
—Judge Gideon J. Tucker, 1866
Numbers Count!
Threshold Numbers
Helps legislators understand which issues resonate with constituents
What You CAN Do as an American
You have the right to express your views with your legislators.Legislators expect you to express them.
What You CAN Do as an Adult Educator
You have unique, valuable information.Legislators need your expertise to make well-informed decisions.
Using Your Time Wiselyhttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/tktime.html
Advocacy Leadershiphttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/tkleadership.html
Contacting Legislatorshttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/tkcontact.html
Resources:
• Who are key legislators• How to find your legislator• Tips for writing, calling, meeting
Congressman Jared Polis, Created National Adult Education & Family
Literacy Week
What to Say and Howhttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/tksay.html
Resources:
• Creating Effective Hooks
• Examples• Always make the Ask
and cinch a commitment!
You don’t get what you don’t ask for.
Who You InvolveBuilding Allies for Adult Education
http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/tkinvolve.html
Creating Responsive Networkshttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/tknetworks.html
Example: National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week Activities
Advocacy Strategieshttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/tkstrategies.html
TX Example: Literacy Day at the Capitol
Facts, Research, Reportshttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/factfinder.html
Find cut-and-paste facts on adult education and family literacy and links to the full reports
Legislative Action Centerhttp://www.capwiz.com/ncl/home/
Sign Up for Mobile Alertshttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/signup.html
NCL's Use of Social Media: Mobilizing Advocates
Example: NCL, Acting on Facebook Alertshttp://www.facebook.com/NationalCoalitionforLiteracy
Acting on Facebook AlertsStep #1: Compose
Message
Select Legislators
Specify Subject
“The Ask”
Insert Talking Points
Using the Online Alert, Cont.Closing
Enter Contact Information
Click Send Message
Twitter.comhttp://twitter.com/#!/ncladvocacy
Anatomy of a ReTweet
User NameOriginal source of information
Link to more information or photo or video
Indicates a Retweet
Avatar / Logo
Hashtag
Engaging With Legislators / Grasstops
Sample Cut-and-Paste Tweetshttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/advocacy/aefl_tweet.html
NCLAdvocacy Bloghttp://blog.ncladvocacy.org
1. Click on the title of the blog post where you wish to post a comment or question.
How to Post to a Blog2. Enter your comment or question in the Message field below, and click “Comment” in the bottom left corner to submit your “post”.
Your Comment Awaits “Moderation”3. Your comment will not appear right away. Instead, you will see a message like this one: “Your comment is waiting moderation.”
4. The blog moderator will review your message in light of the blog guidelines, and also ensure it is not spam. Once the blog moderator reviews and releases your comment, it will appear beneath the Message box.
Getting Started2 minutes: Get Involved.
Sign up for CAEPA + NCL updates. Bookmark the NCL Advocacy ToolkitAct on alerts. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
5 minutes: Get Others Involved. Share adult education facts and alerts. Get sample Facebook, blog, and Twitter posts you can use to update your status.
Getting Started, Cont.
10 minutes: Educate Yourself & Others. Learn / share more about why adult education is important.Get / share the facts on adult education. Learn / share about legislative priorities for adult education and family literacy at the state/federal levels. Learn / teach the differences between educating, advocating, and lobbying.
Getting Started, Cont.Ongoing: Make a Difference
Browse the NCL Advocacy Toolkit to familiarize yourself with the resources available to you.Write a blog article (guest blog or on your own blog) about the importance of adult education and family literacy in your community. Create your own local network of 5-10 individuals interested in advocating for adult education and keep them informed on adult education issues by forwarding NCL updates and alerts.Invite your legislator to visit your local adult education program.