Texas PTA The Voice for Texas Children

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Texas PTAThe Voice for Texas Children
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Effective Advocacy

• Effective advocacy is more than being
  passionate about an issue. 
• The effective advocate knows how to convey the
  message that needs to be heard - how to frame
  information in a manner that drives the point
  without alienating those who influence the
  decision-making process.

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Expanding Your Sphere of Influence on Behalf of
Texas Children

• Beyond your School Campus
• Beyond your School District
• Beyond your Neighborhood and Community
• You can influence state policies for children and
  youth

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Legislative PrioritiesWhere do they come
from?

• Emerge from Texas or National PTA resolutions or
  positions
• Are submitted for consideration by Texas PTA
  members
• Require new laws, revise existing laws, or
  prevent new laws
• Must be submitted to the Legislative Action
  Committee for consideration

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Legislative Priorities

• Restrict teens use of cellular technology while
  driving
• Expand sales tax holiday to include basic school
  supplies
• Support full state funding for public schools
• Expand Clean School Bus Program
• Support no-idling policies for buses
• Strengthen Child Passenger Restraint Laws
  (Booster Seats)

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Legislative Priorities

• Reform public school accountability system
• Promote healthy lifestyles through implementation
  of School Nutrition Program and increased
  physical activity in the school day
• Pass statewide workplace smoke-free law
• Oppose voucher systems for nonpublic school
  tuition and other education-related expenses
• Support programs that make schools safer such as
  CrimeStoppers

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Advocacy at the State Level How Can I Make
a Difference?

• Invite your state senator and/or state
  representative to speak at your PTA meeting
• Meet with your state senator and state
  representative before January 2009
• Texas PTA website has step by step instructions
  for setting up and conducting a meeting.
• Plan to come to Texas PTA Day at the Capitol
  February 26 Road Trip!! and meet your
  legislators there!

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What Does Advocacy Look Like at the State Level?

• How will I be asked to add my voice? You may be
  asked
• To make a call to your legislator
• To write your legislator
• To get your friends to contact legislators
• To come to Texas PTA Day at the Capitol February
  26, 2009 Road Trip!
• Remember
• Its for a VERY short period of time January to
  May
• Join with your Legislative Chairperson and PTA
  president to
• Learn the issues
• Participate in a legislative orientation
• Texas PTA will provide training presentation

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Be Informed

• Sign up for legislative updates and alerts
• On the website communications_at_txpta.org
• Fill out a card and mail the set to the state
  office where they will be inputted

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Texas PTA Day at the Capitol

• Road Trip!!

When? February 26, 2009 Followed by Texas PTA
State Convention February 27 - 29
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Why?

• To advocate for laws that make Texas a better
  place for children and youth
• To strengthen Texas PTAs voice for children
• To celebrate Texas PTAs 100th birthday!

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How Much?

• There is NO charge to participate in Texas PTAs
  Legislative Day at the Capitol
• There is a registration fee for Texas PTA State
  Convention. Visit www.txpta.org to learn more.

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Funding Sources

• If your school is a Title 1 School, you may be
  able to use Parent Involvement funds to pay for
  your trip to Austin.
• Grants
• Talk to other locals or councils to learn how
  they fund trips to Austin.

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How Do We Prepare?

• Texas PTA will provide a training guide for you
  to use to prepare attendees. The guide will
• Explain Texas PTA legislative priorities
• Provide a general orientation to the capitol
  building
• Provide tips for conducting a meeting with
  legislators

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Is there a Contest? Are there Prizes???

• Were glad you asked!
• Councils will compete to bring the largest group
  to Texas PTA Day at the Capitol!
• The group from each council that brings the
  biggest contingent will win prizes!!

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What Can I Expect at Texas PTA Day at the Capitol?

• You Can expect to hear from statewide political
  leaders and bill sponsors to learn how they plan
  to help Texas PTA achieve its goals.
• You can expect to participate in a BIG, LOUD,
  CRAZY Rally on the steps of the capitol!
• And to celebrate Texas PTAs 100th birthday with
  hundreds of PTA folks from around the state.

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Meet Your Legislators

• You can expect to conduct meetings with your
  legislators.
• Tell em what you care about.
• Ask em to support Texas PTAs initiatives.
• Find out how you can help them achieve their
  goals for your community.

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Watch Your Texas Legislature In ACTION

• Arent you curious about what your elected
  officials are doing?
• Visit the Texas capitol and see for yourself.

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• Thank you for the opportunity to represent you
  and your concerns before the Texas Legislature.
• It is a privilege to advocate on behalf of the
  children of Texas.