YOUR VOICE COUNTS!

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YOUR VOICE COUNTS!

• Presented by Donna Tinberg
• Policy Legislation Chair
• International CASE

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Focus for Today

• Critical importance of getting involved
• Specific strategies for Washington
• CEC Legislative Action Center
• Current CASE agenda

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Why advocate?

• Our kids deserve it.
• Civic responsibility demands it.
• Legislators want and need us.
• It helps us grow as professionals and people.

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Three Types of Political Advocacy

• Formal lobbying
• An individual or organization takes a position
  and actively attempts to defend or change laws or
  decisions to benefit affected individuals.
• Professional lobbyists frequently perform formal
  lobbying for organizations.
• From Wittenberg, E. and Wittenberg, E. 1989 How
  to Win in Washington. Cambridge, MA Basil
  Blackwell, Inc.

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• Educational advocacy
• Researching the effects of legislation and
  circulating the information to legislators or the
  public.
• A position may be stated, but no attempt is
  generally made to directly defend or alter laws
  or decisions.

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• Grassroots advocacy
• Individuals or organization members are enlisted
  to take independent action with their elected
  officials and/or their staff on issues of
  interest.
• Acting as a reliable information resource is one
  way to build a relationship with congressional
  representatives, and also build the credibility
  of an organization with elected officials.
• Legislators need accurate information in order to
  make informed decisions. They also want to know
  how a particular piece of legislation affects
  their constituents.

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Audiences for our Advocacy

• Members of Congress
• OSERS/OSEP Staff and other ED Offices
• Governors Office
• State Legislators
• State Board of Education
• State Department of Education
• County/Local Boards of Education
• Other Agencies or Professional Organizations

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Vehicles for Advocacy

• Legislative visits
• Email/phone/letter writing campaigns
• CEC Legislative Action Center
• Developing partnerships
• Testimony at public hearings
• CASE Summer Leadership Seminar

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Select Your Target

• The Champions
• Tireless, committed advocates for your cause
• Can make your case to their colleagues, help
  develop a strong inside strategy, or be visible
  public spokespeople
• They need good information and visible support
  outside the Capitol.

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• The Allies
• Generally on your side, but need a push to do
  more
• The Fence Sitters
• Uncommitted on the issues, with the potential to
  vote either way
• Key targets for lobbying efforts
• Mix inside persuasion and outside pressure to
  sway them

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• The Mellow Opponents
• Clearly will vote against you, but not inclined
  to be active on the issue
• Keep them from becoming angry, but lobby enough
  to give them pause
• The Hard Core Opponents
• Leaders of the opposition
• Isolate them and highlight the extremes of their
  positions, rhetoric and alliances
• Give other legislators pause about joining them

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Inside Strategies

• Meetings with legislators and staff
• Providing analysis and info to committees and
  legislative offices
• Testifying in committee
• Negotiating with policy makers and other lobby
  groups

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Outside Strategies

• Media activity including news conferences,
  editorial board visits, assisting reporters with
  stories
• Visits by constituents to local legislative
  offices
• Building broad and diverse coalitions
• Grassroots activities such as rallies

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Remember

• Coordinate inside and outside lobbying
  activities to get the strategic advantage in
  terms of timing, targeting, message, etc.

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At your tables.

• What are the key issues that MAASE should be
  trying to impact at this time?
• With which other organizations should MAASE be
  developing coalitions to positively impact the
  key issues?
• How would you categorize the legislators in
  Michigans delegation with regard to IDEA and
  NCLB?

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Making a Legislative VisitArranging the
Appointment

• In DC Tuesday through Thursday
• In home district offices (generally)
• Friday-Monday
• During Congressional recesses
• During District Work Periods
• August
• Around holidays

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Finding Contact Information

• Check the business section of your telephone book
  under the legislators last name.
• Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and
  ask to be connected to your members Hill
  offices.
• Visit the CEC Legislative Action Center at
  http//capwiz.com/cek/home.

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The Initial Contact

• Ask to speak with the person who handles the
  legislators schedule.
• Each congressional office schedules appointments
  differently.
• Introduce yourself and explain that you are a
  constituent.
• Tell the scheduler the date and time you would
  like to meet with your legislator (be flexible)
  and the general topics you wish to discuss.

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• If there is more than one person attending the
  meeting, let the scheduler know their names and
  affiliations.
• If someone in your group knows the legislator
  personally or professionally, make sure that the
  scheduler is aware of the relationship.
• Call the day before to confirm the appointment.

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Meeting with a Staffer

• Learn before calling which staffer handles
  educational issues.
• Do not discount staffers.
• Be sure to ask for a business card before leaving.

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Logistics

• Expect the meeting to be scheduled for 15-20
  minutes.
• Allow for delays.
• Allow for travel time between Senate side (north)
  and House side (south) of the Hill

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Preparing for the MeetingDo your Homework!

• Know what issues are important to your
  legislators.
• Find out their current positions on the issue
  that you are going to discuss.
• Look at their biographies (accessible online at
  http//congress.org)
• Review their voting records.
• Identify the committees on which they serve.

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Be Organized

• If you are part of a group, discuss what topics
  each participant will address and in what order
  theyll speak.
• Be certain everyone agrees on the central message
  and what will be asked of the legislator.
• Anticipate the counter arguments and potential
  questions your legislator may ask you.

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Prepare an Information Packet

• Include information on your organization.
• Develop a one-page summary of your issue(s).
• Attach your business card to the packet.

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Dress for Success

• Dress professionally. Although legislative
  staffers may be dressed more casually than you,
  the Legislature is a grand old formal
  institution. Dressing conservatively is a matter
  of respect and allows legislative staffers to
  focus on your issue and not on just you.

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Making the Presentation

• Be on time and be patient.
• Respect your legislators busy and forever
  changing schedule.
• Be flexible if your time is cut short offer to
  accompany your legislator to his or her next
  appointment so you can talk further.

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First Impressions

• Always begin your meeting by thanking your
  legislator for taking the time to visit with you.
  
• If your legislator has been supportive of your
  cause, thank him/her for that support.

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Getting Acquainted

• Explain to your legislator who you represent and
  why you asked for the meeting.
• If you are in a group, introduce yourselves and
  briefly describe your organization.
• Present your concerns and stay focused.
• Get to the point quickly by being brief and
  direct.
• State your views in about half of the time
  allotted for your meeting.

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Setting the Stage

• Dont assume your legislator has any prior
  knowledge of the subject.
• But dont get too bogged down on background
  information either!

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All legislators want to improve the economy and
quality of life in their district and state.

• Provide your legislator with specific, quotable
  facts about how this issue manifests itself in
  your district.
• Use simple, bold graphs/charts to illustrate your
  point.
• Share a brief, memorable anecdote about a
  specific student/family in the legislators
  district to make the issue real.

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Lasting Impressions

• Convey the overall message that if you win, so
  does your legislator and the community.
• Be careful not to antagonize or lecture the
  legislator or, conversely, say only what you
  think the legislator wants to hear.
• Be straightforward, but courteous in expressing
  your views, and be receptive to the legislators
  questions and comments.

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Dont Know an Answer?

• Admit it!
• Follow up and get back in touch.

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It Takes Two

• Make sure you dont do all the talking.
• Give your legislator an opportunity to ask
  questions and respond to your concerns.
• If the lawmaker doesnt volunteer his or her
  position on the issue ask!

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Dont be Timid

• Ask your legislator exactly where he/she stands
  on an issue or an aspect of a bill.
• There is no such thing as a lost cause
  convince your legislator that there are enough
  constituents who feel as you do, so that he/she
  can commit to missing the vote or abstaining,
  rather than voting against your issue.

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After the Meeting

• Send a thank you letter to your legislator.
• Briefly summarize the main points of the meeting.
  
• Provide any follow-up information that you may
  have promised to deliver.
• Continue to cultivate your relationship with your
  legislator through a variety of activities.

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Keep in Touch

• 1) Make visits, write letters and make phone
  calls advocating your concerns when necessary.
• 2) Add your legislators name to your mailing
  list and ask to have your office added to your
  legislators mailing list.
• 3) Invite your legislator to your district.
  Create photo opportunities and then publish them
  in your publications.
• 4) Visit your legislators office whenever you
  are in the DC area.

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At your tables

• Has anyone in your group done a legislative
  office visit? Share how it went and what was
  learned through the experience.
• What would it take for MAASE to develop stronger
  relationships with lawmakers?

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Written Communications

• Email generally preferred over US Mail.
• Use the same formality you would in writing a
  conventional letter.
• Always include your postal address. Most
  legislators will respond by sending a letter
  through the mail rather than e-mailing a
  response.
• Messages that appear to come from outside the
  legislators district may be blocked or deleted
  unread.

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Use the Proper Form of Address

• The Honorable Full Name
• United States Senate
• Washington, DC 20510
• Dear Senator Last Name,
• The Honorable Full Name,
• United States House of Representatives
• Washington, DC 20515
• Dear Representative Last Name,

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Addressing Committee Chairs

• If writing to the Chair of a Committee, letters
  should be addressed to Mr. Chairman or Madam
  Chairwoman.

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Time your Email

• Send your e-mail on Wednesday or Thursday.
  Congressional offices receive a high-volume of
  mail on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. E-mail that
  arrives on Wednesday or Thursday is more likely
  to be attended to in a timely fashion.

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Content of Email or Letters

• Letters should be brief and legible.
• Identify yourself and state your purpose within
  the first paragraph.
• Make sure your legislator knows you are a
  constituent.
• If your letter pertains to a specific piece of
  legislation, identify it appropriately (House
  bill H.R._____ or Senate bill S._____).

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Content-continued

• Focus on one issue at a time.
• State clearly your position and concerns
  regarding the issue, using personal examples.
• Identify the course of action you are requesting
  that your legislator take.
• Be courteous. End your letter by saying thank
  you and I look forward to your response.

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Communicating by Phone

• Identify yourself and state that you are a
  constituent.
• Be brief. Focus on one issue at a time.
• State your concerns and position with the first
  30 seconds of the conversation.
• If your call pertains to a specific piece of
  legislation, identify it appropriately (House
  bill H.R._____ or Senate bill S._____).

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Phone calls-continued

• State your message.
• Concentrate on one or two important facts that
  create a solid debate.
• Stress personal experiences and give examples.
• Identify the actions you are requesting of your
  legislator.
• Offer to provide your legislator with materials
  that support your position.
• Be polite. Always say thank you and request a
  written response to your call.

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CECs Legislative Action Center

• http//capwiz.com/cek/home/
• Free service
• Encourages greater involvement from the field

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Features of the LAC

• Find contact information for your members of
  congress simply by entering your zip code
• Access pre-written (editable) email messages on
  current issues customize for greater impact or
  write your own
• Legislative Action Alerts
• Updated information about federal legislation and
  important issues

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Guide to Congress

• Get information about all members of Congress
  including
• Photos
• Phone
• Legislative assistant information
• Committee appointments Daily Congressional
  Schedule
• Click on Congress Today and get House and Senate
  floor and committee schedules (updated daily)

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Bill Status and Sponsor Tracking

• See a list of key legislation moving through
  Congress view a list of co-sponsors

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Voter Scorecard

• See how your members of Congress voted on key
  special education/gifted education legislation

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Media Guide

• Use the media guide to send original and
  customized emails, faxes and printed letters to
  members of the media based on city, state and
  type of media.
• Easily locate your local media outlets by typing
  in your zip code.

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Free Web Banner

• Post a link to CECs Action Center with a Write
  to Congress graphic on YOUR website so that your
  visitors can write directly to Congress from your
  home page.

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How is the data used?

• CEC tracks emails sent from LAC
• LAC links to Congressional web forms (85 of
  Congress use web forms)

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ADVOCACY MODEL
Adapted from Ziraldo Berger of Canadian CEC and
the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with
Disabilities.
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Prepare

• Gather background information
• Define the key issues
• Gather data to support/illustrate the key issues

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Plan

• Identify resources/allies
• Who is affected by this issue?
• Who are the potential supporters?
• Who are the decision makers?
• Identify potential barriers
• Are there ways to circumvent the barriers?

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Plan

• Identify a preferred solution
• Be as specific as possible
• Anticipate the possible outcomes (good and bad)
• What would the ideal condition look like in the
  future?
• What is a realistic level to achieve while
  continuing to work toward the idea?

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Plan

• Select your action
• Take stock of your resources
• Identify the appropriate individuals and systems
  that can make this happen
• Identify the formats that your advocacy should
  take (visits, phone, email, media, etc.)
• Be prepared to counter any arguments
• Determine your Action Steps

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Act

• Carry out the Action Steps of your plan
• Keep notes of meetings with decision makers
• Monitor what works and what doesnt

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Evaluate

• Review the effectiveness of your action plan
• Were the key issues defined clearly enough?
• Was there sufficient time to prepare?
• What unanticipated barriers came up?
• Were there adequate resources to carry out the
  plan?
• Were the desired outcomes achieved?

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Principles of Advocacy

• Know your case document facts.
• Know the opposing case and develop a strategy for
  countering.
• Operate from a solid base of support.
• Intervene at the appropriate level to be
  effective.

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• Take a positive approach. Assume good will on
  the part of the system and give the system a
  reason to accept that assumption.
• Demonstrate to the system how the system is
  defeating its own goals.
• Strenghten alliances through shared advocacy.

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The Current CASE Agenda

• PPPSCWDs
• White Paper on RtI with NASDSE
• Proposed 2 Flexibility Regulations
• NCLB Reauthorization

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CASE R US!!(and that means YOU!)
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CASE Needs Its Members

• Input via attendance at CASE conferences
• Participation on CASE Committees
• Feedback on web surveys
• Email correspondence with Executive Committee
• Follow through on Action Alerts
• Grassroots advocacy on state-level implementation
  of federal policy issues

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Use International CASE

• www.casecec.org
• Email the Executive Director, Luann Purcell, at
  lpurcell_at_bellsouth.com
• Contact Donna Tinberg, Policy Legislation Chair
  at dtinberg_at_novi.k12.mi.us
• Attend the CASE Summer Leadership Seminar, July
  9-12, 2006, in Washington, DC

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Never doubt that a small group of committed
people can change the world

• indeed its the only thing that ever has.
• Margaret Mead