Advocacy 101 2021 Southern New England Advocacy Conference

Advocacy 101 2021 Southern New England Advocacy Conference #VNAC 2020 Follow the schedule at firstnac. org/agenda

You can advocate for anyone or anything Engaged, educated citizenry is a cornerstone of a productive and effective democracy. Examples • • • Graduation requirements should contain a CTE experience State funding should continue for FIRST programs Every student should be exposed to STEM before graduation Rep. Te dder

How and where do I start?

Pick a Target Form a Relationship Settle In

Who do you go to, and how? Start Local (school, township, city, county, state, nation…) Write Call Visit

What we do ● What we do not do Non-partisan advocacy to impact positive change for our kids and our community. #VNAC 2020 ● ● Fundraising for politics or politicians Endorse candidates Follow the schedule at firstnac. org/agenda

“Relationships, Relationships. ”

To affect a process, you have to know the process!

Local Government School District Structure School district structure

State and Federal Government #VNAC 2020 Follow the schedule at firstnac. org/agenda

Follow the money! Sources of U. S. Public Education Funding K - 12 Local Funding (41%) Federal Funding (9%) State Funding (50%) *Source: U. S. Dept. of Education

How a Bill Becomes a Law Congress Representative Introduces bill in the House of Representatives* Senator Introduces bill in the Senate* Congress Senate Committee/Subcommittee House Committee/Subcommittee Releases Revises & Releases Tables House floor Bill is read, debated and amended; simple majority needed to pass Passes different bill than Senate Passed bills sent to other chamber unless similar measures are already under consideration Releases Revises & Releases Tables Senate floor Bill is read, debated/amended; 60 votes needed to pass Passes different bill than House Conference Committee** Writes compromise bill. That bill goes back to both houses for final approval; approved bill is sent to the President Bill becomes Law President signs President vetoes 2/3 vote in Congress can override veto *Legislation may be introduced in either chamber except for tax law, which must originate in the House **Most major legislation goes to conference committee; When one chamber passes legislation originating in the other without making changes, bill goes directly to President

State Government Each State is different. Follow the money! • Bicameral legislatures (expect for Nebraska) • Different session schedules for all states

Session Schedules

Federal Government

Does Advocacy Work? #VNAC 2020 Follow the schedule at firstnac. org/agenda

Title IV Part A Section 4107 “(ii) supporting the participation of low-income students in nonprofit competitions related to STEM subjects (such as robotics, science research, invention, mathematics, computer science, and technology competitions); ”

“Relationships, Relationships. ” #VNAC 2020 Follow the schedule at firstnac. org/agenda

Student Association for STEM Advocacy ● Sponsor of NAC and VNAC ● Membership Opportunities ● Individual Membership ($25/year) ● Team Membership ($200/year) ● Corporate Membership ($500/year) ● Benefits ● Monthly Update ● NAC Registration Discounts ● Legislative Action Alerts Website: mysasa. org Twitter: @SASAdvocacy Facebook: @SASAdvocacy