DC 101: A Newcomer's Orientation for the Legislative Conference

1
DC 101 Newcomers Orientation
2009 Legislative Conference March 9,
2009 Washington, DC
2
Purpose of Conference

• Educate NACAC members about advocacy
• Prepare NACAC members for year-round advocacy
• Educate lawmakers about NACAC priorities
• Provide education and training opportunities on
  federal issues for participants

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Highlights of Past Successes

• 2000 60 increase in GEAR UP funding only the
  programs second year
• 2002 Inclusion of school counselors as
  eligible participants in professional development
  under No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
• 2003 Increased funding for GEAR UP and TRIO,
  when all other student aid was level-funded
• 2007 Passage of the College Cost Reduction and
  Access Act
• 2008 Introduction of the Pathways to College
  Act

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How a Bill Becomes a Law

• All bills and amendments must be sponsored by a
  member of Congress
• Bills have many opportunities for amendments,
  and many opportunities to fail
• Bipartisan support usually helps in recent
  Congresses it has been essential
• Presidential vetoes are rare, but usually hard
  to override

5
Legislative Math

• 535 members of the House and Senate several
  thousand bills and amendments in any given
  session
• A given member of Congress can work on
  approximately 100 bills and amendments
• There are probably 10 bills they really care
  about
• The likelihood that our issue is among that 10
  is very slim unless we bring it to their
  attention!

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How Lobbying Works

• You are the Expert
• as a professional you are an expert on college
  access
• as a constituent you are an expert on your
  community
• Lawmakers Need You
• elected officials work for you
• lawmakers depend on constituents and advocates
  to learn about emerging issues or problems
• lawmakers are held accountable for how well they
  deal with the needs and wants of constituents

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How Lobbying Works

• Where Politics Affect Policy
• the process of seeking and retaining office
  impacts policymaking
• know the politics of an issue
• your status as a voter gives you power
• Taking Action
• communication often yields results
• use your NACAC Advocacy Handbook to get
  organized and to help brainstorm ideas!

8
Visiting With Lawmakers

• Preparation
• Be familiar with conference materials
• Dress professionally
• Carry business cards
• Remember your status as an expert, a
  constituent, and a voter
• You represent other citizens students,
  educators, parents
• Be aware of your schedule

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Visiting With Lawmakers

• Protocol
• Be organized, prompt, and brief
• Courteously handle the unexpected
• Know your audience
• Assume nothing
• Quickly get to the who and why
• Dont be confrontational
• Tell your personal story, but stick to what is
  relevant
• Say thank you and follow up in writing

10
Visiting With Lawmakers

• Making Your Point
• Introduce yourself and present your materials
• Organize for group vs. individual presentation
• Discuss Pathways to College Act
• Feel free to discuss all of NACACs policy
  principles if time permits
• Respond to differing viewpoints
• Offer yourself and NACAC staff as resources
• Bring meeting to a close

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Visiting With Lawmakers

• Follow Up
• Send a thank you letter to the member of
  Congress and staff person
• Exchange business cards with staff encourage
  them to call you or to call NACAC staff with
  questions
• Fill out debriefing form for NACAC staff
• Follow up with further correspondence keep in
  touch!

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Logistics

• Refer to map in Congressional Guide
• See Getting Around Capitol Hill in your
  registration folders
• Capitol Police are there to help if you get lost
• Meet with your states delegation to plan for
  Tuesday visits and debriefing