Advocacy 101 How to be successful on Capitol
Advocacy 101: How to be successful on Capitol Hill Sasha Pudelski
How do I talk about this? WHAT IS ALAS’ TOP PRIORITY? EQUITABLE FEDERAL POLICIES that level the educational playing field for all students I support: Public dollars for public schools (no vouchers!) Formula funding NOT competitive grants Fully funding IDEA Continuing to fund the Lifeline and E-Rate programs which gives low income students access to affordable broadband both in and out of school Addressing the teacher shortage in the Higher Education Act reauthorization Ensuring high-achieving young people have a path towards citizenship via the DREAM Act Funding for programs that promote the physical, social, emotional, and mental health of students (like Medicaid)
How to advocate effectively for your students and school system
• When you have meetings, they may be with your member of Congress, but they may just be with their education staffer and that’s not a bad thing because…. Meeting Logistics • The education staffer often knows more about our issues than the member • Congressional offices are crowded – your meeting may be in the reception or hallway – that doesn’t mean they don’t take you seriously, so don’t be insulted Regardless of who meets with you, start to build a relationship.
• Advocacy is all about relationships You need a relationship before someone listens to you • Congressional staffers range from experts to novices • If they’re a novice, you have the opportunity really shape their views and knowledge base. Take advantage of it. Educate them! • They may work on many different issues and education may be at the bottom of their list. Make them care about it more. • Be confident that you are an important constituent
• YOU are the expert in the room • Be sure to share information about your district, schools, and the great work being done. With public schools under attack, success stories are essential. Share your knowledge • Storytelling is the MOST effective advocacy technique • Be honest about how a policy is or would affect your schools • If you have questions, be sure to ask. Let them share their knowledge with you, too. • Don’t pretend to know the answer. It’s a good excuse to follow-up.
• It’s a marathon – not a sprint Endurance is the key to advocacy success • Follow up after the meeting and thank them for meeting with you and follow up with materials (if relevant) • Reach out often – not just when you need something • 5 minutes a week is all it takes to send an email and check in about a policy issue you care about • Invite your member of Congress to your district – have the photo op with your kids and school
Don’t forget to say THANK YOU! An attitude of gratitude We had some big funding wins last year. Make sure you thank every staffer or member for that money! And tell folks WHY the $ matters and how grateful you are. Encourage them to champion other issues you care about if they aren’t engaged. Tell them you value their perspective if they don’t agree with you and that they listened to what you had to say.
Introduce yourself Share your district’s strengths/weaknesses Make your policy ask Dissecting the perfect Hill meeting Make your political ask Make your physical ask Try to see how you can work together to further their goals Express gratitude
The first half of the meeting Hello, I’m _______ and I am the ____ in the school district of ______ Our district is doing great things. Let me tell you what we’re doing well. My district is struggling because we xxxxx I am here to ask the Representative/Senator do the following [pick at least 3 things from this list]
Fully fund IDEA because…. . Address the teacher shortage in the Higher Education Act reauthorization because…. The list (pick 3) Maintain the E-Rate and Lifeline programs which are critical…. Ensure infrastructure package include funding for schools because…. Support an extension of the Secure Rural Schools Make sound policy changes when reauthorizing the school nutrition program
Policy Ask: Does/Would Rep/Senator support these? Political Ask: How can he/she demonstrate his support of these to school leaders like me in his district/state? Your 3 asks Physical Ask: Would he/she or you be willing to come to my school district and see what I’m describing firsthand? I know it would be an incredibly powerful and positive experience for you.
This is the end: Time for THEM to talk Are there any education issues you’re working on that I could help you with? What are your/his/her top priorities in the k 12 space right now? And then…… I really appreciate your time and the funding that your boss supported. It WILL make a difference in my district. Thank you. I will follow up with you in a few weeks to continue discussing XYZ.
Questions? Feedback about your meetings? Sasha Pudelski spudelski@aasa. org @Spudelski
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