A presentation about museum advocacy, given at the 2013 annual Museums Alaska conference.

1. Advocacy 101

2.  Introductions
 What is the difference between Advocacy &
Lobbying
 Museums can make a difference
 How does the legislative process work
 Who, how and when do you approach
Legislators
 How can Museums Alaska help
 Q&A

3.  Moderator
◦ Jane Lindsey – Juneau Douglas Museum
 Presenters
◦ Patricia Relay – Valdez Museum & Historical Archive
◦ Heather Beggs – Museums Alaska
◦ Clark Gruening – Lobbyist

4.  What is Advocacy?
◦ Advocacy occurs when you make the case for
museums broadly.
 What is Lobbying?
◦ Lobbying is one form of advocacy and usually
involves an attempt to influence legislation.

5. Taking an Advocacy Inventory
Make a compelling case statement
Developing a Plan for Advocacy
Get involved

6.  Be prepared! Before you reach out to a
potential ally, you do your homework, right?
 An Advocacy Inventory should not be left to
one person alone. It is a perfect activity for
your board of Directors to work on.
 Part I – About your Museum
 Part II –Identifying your Elected Officials
 Part III – Lifecycle of Elected Bodies
 Part IV – Gathering the Facts
 Part V – Gathering Testimonials and Stories

7.  What is the purpose of a case statement?
 How important is a case statement?
 Preparing the Case Statement
 Developing central themes
◦ Educational Pillars
◦ Museums are Economic Drivers
◦ Community Assets

8.  Section 1: Introduction
 Section 2: Background on the Organization
 Section 3: Statement of Need
 Section 4: Related Objectives
 Section 5: Summary of Longer Range Goals
 Section 6: Financial Information
 Section 7: Leadership and Partnership Profile
 Section 8: Support Options
 Section 9: Recognition Opportunities
 Section 10: Conclusion and Wrap-up

9.  What is an Advocacy Plan?
 When you should create a plan for advocacy
 Making your plan
 Putting it all together

10.  Get involved. It’s not just about your
Museum
◦ American Alliance of Museums Advocacy
Committee: http://www.aam-us.org/advocacy
◦ Museums Alaska Advocacy Committee:
http://museumsalaska.org/advocacy-materials/
 Use the tools that MA and AAM provide
◦ Write opinion pieces to your local newspaper
◦ Write letters to your local, state and national
representatives.
◦ Invite government officials to your Museum.

11. The Governor’s Budget
Capital Budget Requests & Operating Funds are different
Know who your Legislator is, this is a powerful tool
Be involved with the Legislative process
How do you use your LIO?

12.  Understand Capital and Operating Budget
cycles and timelines (October-April)
 Develop a relationship with your Legislators
and their staff. Invite them to your museum.
 Participate in the Process

13. How do I find out what committees my Legislator is involved in?
When do I approach my Legislator?
How do I get in the door?
Who and what ?do I take with me

14.  Find your legislators with AAM’s online tool
 Visit your local legislators during the
interim (May-December)
 Participate in Advocacy Day in Juneau

15. MA can speak on a statewide level
MA works on goals that benefit all museums statewide
MA will provide you informational briefs based on our collective priorities
How can we help your Museum?

16.  Planning for Advocacy Day 2014
 Possible Legislation mirroring library
funding
 Participate in the Annual Meeting to identify
Museums Alaska’s annual legislative
priorities

17. Make a compelling
case for support
Get involved!
Understand the
legislative process
Start Advocating TODAY!