The document outlines the outcome of a meeting held on November 19, 2009, focusing on advocacy for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) funding amid concerns over potential cuts to programs. It emphasizes the importance of community engagement, collaboration among schools, and the need for advocacy efforts, including rallies, communications with local officials, and leveraging resources like social media. Key strategies discussed include establishing committees, organizing events, and building relationships with various stakeholders to maximize support for FCPS funding.

1. Update & Work Session Nov. 19, 2009

2. Since we last met… Meetings Fairfax Education Foundation Corporate funding not optimistic Schools hosted meetings with School Board & County reps Kent Gardens, Lake Anne, Great Falls, anyone else? Community dialogues Huge turnout from early foreign language Most stayed on message to not attack other programs & advocate for FCPS funding

3. Since we last met… Continue to establish liaisons & streamline Please check out our liaison list on the website Let us know of contacts at “vacant” schools Various discussion & advocacy groups Lake Anne, Great Falls, Laurel Ridge, Cunningham Park discussion & info sites FACE: Elementary Band & Strings Advocacy Any others?

4. Check out www.fairfaxflags.org

5. Check out www.fairfaxflags.org

6. Fan “Fairfax FLAGS”

7. Facebook & www.fairfaxflags.org Content will build & evolve Schools can feed latest events & information by emailing [email_address] with “website” as subject line Post discussion topics on FB Will continue to upload relevant links & videos Always seeking feedback & ideas for sites

8. Moving forward… "The core issue is not one program vs. another program, but rather the level of funding we receive. We have only three options as we prepare for FY’11: additional State funding, additional county funding, or cutting programs.” – FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale

9. Facing issues How to get more funding for FCPS? Educate the community this is a BIG issue for FCPS not just foreign language Spread the word to all stakeholders (website) not just FCPS parents When talking about solutions say… “Fairfax County must increase funding for FCPS to preserve its programs that make it a world-class school system.” State funding is improbable

10. Taking Action Attend community dialogues: Dec. 2 Organize rally for community dialogues? Submit online budget feedback forms Highly active schools should… Set up meetings w/ district county supervisor Invite all FCPS schools under that supervisor Letter writing now – spread the word County supervisors & Chairman Sharon Bulova State officials to voice concerns & take action to advocate for FCPS Must involve PTAs: Issue is FCPS Contact Fairfax County Council PTA (FCCPTA)

11. Fairfax FLAGS Role Serve as the platform to unite & promote advocacy efforts to maximize impact Website & Facebook provide centralized resource for information, ideas & strategies Connecting schools to share best practices & ideas for advocacy success Communicate with & through liaisons Provide support & guidance to liaisons, schools, committees when requested

12. Role of Liaisons Set up advocacy team in school Communicate & publicize advocacy Reach parents by using or building email distribution list Update FLAGS on latest efforts in your schools & successes to share with other schools Solicit help with committees as needed Talk it up & get others to help motivate parents to TAKE ACTION Publicize website & Facebook as a source of information & action items

13. Organization of Committees Prefer two leaders per committee Provide us with contact information for website Ensure committee is on track & making progress toward advocacy goals Provide updates to FLAGS leadership Communicate any pertinent findings to other FLAGS committees Request support from leadership & other committees when needed Solicit more committee members if needed Solicit experts or specialists for guidance or as resource if needed

14. Committees Budget (SK) Analysis of FCPS & County Grant/Alternative funding Research & identify cost-savings possibilities Stay current with latest news Media & Publicity (TM) Organize rallies Letters to editors Create & distribute business or “promo cards” Press releases & packets Video productions Political Outreach (SK) School Board County Board of Supervisors State, Federal, PACs Embassies Organizational Outreach (TM) Businesses Government Agencies Influential Organizations Community & Associations University Outreach Public Hearings & Meetings (SK) Prepare for public hearings & solicit variety of speakers Organize & publicize district meetings Advocacy Communications (TM) Discussion groups Facebook monitoring News & info scouring Letter campaign tracking Gather testimonials

15. Budget Analysis of FCPS & County Follow online budget questions submitted by School Board & Board of Supervisors Identify potential cost savings & suggestions Research & answer budget questions by group members Stay current with budget changes & issues Grant/Alternative funding Research grant possibilities Explore corporate funding options Endowments Fees for services

16. Political Outreach Ensure relationship-building, calls to action & constant communications with: School Board County Board of Supervisors State officials Federal officials Political Action Committees Embassies Keep FLAGS community informed

17. Media & Publicity Organize rallies or public demonstrations Figure out venue & timeline Letters to editors Create & distribute “promo cards” Press releases & packets Provide necessary responses to articles Provide talking points when needed Video productions Gather video clips & photos for promotions Must have permission from parents

18. Organizational Outreach Ensure relationship-building, calls to action & constant communications with: Businesses: local & global Volkswagen, Hilton, Deutsche Bank, etc. Government Agencies CIA, State Department, Military, Homeland Security Influential Organizations ACTFL, CAL, The Language Flagship, NNEL, Japan Foundation Los Angeles, French-American Foundation Community & Associations Chambers of Commerce, FCCPTA, University Outreach Area universities, internat’l studies, business schools, etc.

19. Public Hearings & Meetings Prepare for public hearings Work on public hearing strategy Start identifying potential speakers by working with organizational & political outreach committees Organize online registrations for speakers Support & organize district meetings Motivate & schools host cluster-wide meetings with County Supervisor & FCPS Board Member Ensure all concerned school are invited when possible FLAGS leadership will be involved

20. Advocacy Communications Daily monitoring & tracking of information Discussion groups Facebook News & info scouring Letter campaign tracking Gather testimonials Report new findings or inappropriate postings Keep group & leadership informed Make recommendations for improvement

21. Let’s Get to Work! Break into your committee of interest Those serving on multiple committees, be sure they have your contact info Before leaving, provide committee contact info to Sandy or Tina Before leaving, committees report their initial ideas of how they will move forward