steve kroll, nysarc...community organizing: a view from the field the “it matters to me” &...
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Community Organizing:A View From the Field
The “It Matters To Me” &“It Matters To Me, Too” Campaigns
Steve Kroll, NYSARC
GOALTaking our advocacy to a higher level in a difficult public policy environment.
Residential waiting lists and lack of opportunities, especially for aging families
Workforce shortage: Wages, recruitment, and retention Pre-School funding Employment transformation & transition from of school Funding for investment in transformation and managed
care readiness Rate setting reform (highly technical)
“It Matters To Me”
Engaging Chapters in Grassroots Advocacy:
Chapter Presidents and Executives Grassroots advocates Family members The people we support Chapter Board members and volunteers Chapter staff
Original Challenge to Chapters and Members: visit every legislator
“It Matters To Me, Too ”
Engaging a Broader Community and Grasstops
Upgraded Challenge to Chapters and Members: continue engaging every legislator and involve community members and neighbors Neighbors and businesses who partner with and/or
support Chapters Opinion leaders
Local government officials, media, academic leaders, clergy, business leaders, leaders of other community institutions, service clubs, foundations, etc.
Tapping Into Our Strengths
Our families Our self-advocates Our workforce Our expertise Our mission Our passion, energy, and enthusiasm Our economic impact on our communities
Building a Campaign Anchoring Theme – “It Matters To Me” Innovation and Motivation (cool technology) Video postcard sent to every legislator and
members Comprehensive toolkit and website specifically
designed for the audience Human impact on persons and programs Financial impact Impact on Chapter as an economic engine Statewide, regional, and Chapter impact
Providing a Menu Giving every Chapter the tools needed to pick from a
menu of activities Local videos Press events Town Hall meetings Legislative events Social media presence Letters to the editor, op-eds, and editorial boards
Simple, clear, and repeated messages
What Happened?
“It Matters to Me” caught on, bringing about “It Matters to Me, Too”
Dozens of videos, dozens of meetings, dozens of media stories
Beginnings of a social media community Motivation to begin mobilizing a state-wide community Incremental progress, but not nearly enough to be rest
on our success
Next Up: Statewide Workforce CoalitionAchieving a Living Wage for Our Professionals
#bFair2DirectCare statewide supporters include:
• Alliance of Long Island Agencies (ALIA)• Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State (CP of NYS)• The Developmental Disability Alliance of Western New York
(DDAWNY)• The InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies (IAC)• The NYS Association of Community Residential Agencies (NYSACRA)• NYSARC, Inc.• New York State Rehabilitation Association (NYSRA)
#bFair2DirectCare
“It Matters To Me”
Campaign Planning Guide
Community Organizing:A View From the Field
The “It Matters To Me” &“It Matters To Me, Too” Campaigns
Steve Kroll, [email protected]