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An Introduction to Local Legislative Advocacy, New York State Retired Teachers' Association
- 1. Local Legislative Advocacy How to work with our Senate and Assembly Representatives
- 2. Advocacy is… • Advocacy is organized activism in support of an idea or cause. • Advocacy is education. • Advocacy is intentionally sharing a message to create an outcome. • Advocacy consists of individuals communicating with their elected officials re: issues that require policy action. They will listen to you because you vote and care!
- 3. What’s in your packet? • Your Local Advocating Campaign • Do’s and Don’t of your visit • The “Big Ten” Rules of Politics • How to write an advocacy letter • Local Advocating Effort • Legislative calendar • Thank you note • Legislator Reaction Sheet • State legislative Priorities • Local Advocating Campaign • State Legislative Campaign (Briefing Paper)
- 4. Strategies That Work • Advocacy is most effective when several strategies are used at once to connect, communicate and influence policy makers. – Engage social media – Engage traditional media – Conduct in-person meetings and create ongoing sharing of information MESSAGE – MESSAGE - MESSAGE
- 5. 3 Main Points to Make • What’s your story? In 2-3 minutes, connect your story to one of the messages • Stay on message. • Stay in touch via email with the staff you meet - become the person they want to call for help 1. 2. 3.
- 6. Message: Policy Maker • They listen because you vote, because you care and because you are an expert in your field. • Why to meet with them They can help: funding, language, press They want to help Your success makes them look good too! They want you to ‘ask them’ for something • What to say Talk about successes Invite them to visit your school, coordinate press Ask them for funding or to support a bill
- 7. Message: Traditional Press • Press Release write the headline and 1-2 quotable quotes • Hook: Outcomes/report, compelling story, controversy? • Twitter discussion write several Tweets to engage reporters • Engage with: outcome/data/report, compelling story or controversy. • Blog write 3 main points to support an opening paragraph NYSRTA: Outcomes, Stories or Response/Reaction to Climate, Culture or Community Issue
- 8. Message: Traditional Press Speak and Write in “Soundbites” • Press Release which can lead to: • An interview – to – article (use an ‘expert alert’ to get on their radar) • A quote – to - article • A mention – to – raising visibility/brand • Twitter discussion which can lead to: • Future story, quote, mention • Blog which can lead to: • Establishing credibility, expanding network and brand • Guest writing with larger entity
- 9. Conducting your research • Research the status of legislation before your visit • Determine if there are additional sponsors since your material was published
- 10. Continue your research • There are several important pieces of information available • Sponsors memos can be important • Do you want the entire text (bathroom reading) • Go for the summary
- 12. Assembly Members Home Page • Member Information • Sponsored Legislation • Committee membership • District map • WHAT’S NEW
- 13. Contact Information • Where is the Albany Location (LOB or Capital) • What about the home district location(s)? • Get to know the secretary by NAME (same as school – who is the real boss)!!
- 14. www.nysenate.gov
- 15. Committee Information • It’s important to know what committees our legislators serve on • If they chair a committee provide information that will be helpful in explaining your position to those committee members
- 16. OK, THE REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF… Where do you park? You don’t want an $80.00 ticket!
- 17. CHOICE NUMBER 1 - PARKING Get there as early as possible…. Visitors Lot under the concourse You come off I-787 and head under the concourse/Rockerfeller Plaza. Before you exit the underground section it will be on your right side. You will need to show your ID to the State Police as you enter the parking area so have it out. You should also have a credit card handy to make parking easier.
- 18. PARKING
- 19. Let’s get you where you are going…
- 20. Let’s Advocate! (yes, role play) • Start on a positive note • Introduce the members of the group SHAKE! • What is your introduction going to be? Let’s role play • What are the key points you are going to make? • What research have you done on the legislator? • Who is covering what in your presentation? • How are you going to ask for their position? • What can you do for your legislator.