advocacy strategies for challenging times
TRANSCRIPT
State Advocacy Strategies for Challenging Times
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Presenters• Sean Abajian, Campaign Organizer and Online
Strategist, SaveAdultEd.org Campaign
• Ben Merrion, Advocacy and Policy Chair, DC LEARNs
Board of Directors
• Eric Nesheim, Executive Director, Minnesota Literacy
Council
• JoAnn Weinberger, Chair, Public Policy Committee,
Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education
(PAACE) and President/Executive Director, Center for
Literacy
Moderator: Jackie Taylor, COABE President Elect and
NCL Advocacy Chair
Agenda and YOUR GoalsAdvocacy Successes
What’s Changed?
Getting Networks Started
Strengths & Challenges
Aspirations for the Future
What are YOUR goals for this session?
National Coalition for Literacyhttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/index.html
Advocacy SuccessesQuestion 1: What have been your public policy advocacy successes over the years and has your definition of success changed?
What have you done differently in recent years to adapt to the changing times?
PA – Post Card for Learners
PA – Gov’t Relations Consultant
Elected 16 times to public office, never losing an election
Borough Committeeman
Chester County Commissioner, 3 terms
State Senator, 2 terms
Republican State Chairman and Member of the National Committee
Delegate to 3 National Conventions
Presidential Elector in the Electoral College in 1988
Earl M. Baker
Minnesota ABE Legislative Successes
Minnesota ABE Funding Increases
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1995 2000 2006 2011
MN — Changing Times
Legislative Forum
Database
More intensive advocacy
Hire lobbyists
Spend $ to get $
Strong Partners
Los Angeles—What’s Changedhttp://www.change.org/petitions/defend-adult-education-for-the-99-in-los-angeles
L.A.--Rallies
Getting Started and Evolving With the TimesQuestion 2: How did you get your advocacy network started? How has it evolved?
—Adult Learner Advocate, Grand Staircase,
Boston State House
L.A. – Getting Started
Washington DC—Getting Startedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7nqazeRAfg
PA—Getting Started
PA – Getting Started
Petition to Support funding for Adult and Family Literacy
Background (Preamble):
Due to the current economic climate, state revenues for 2009/2010 have fallen far short of expectations, and revenue projections for 2010/2011 are bleak; as a result, your state legislators are considering cuts in funding for adult and family literacy for 2010/2011.
Funding cuts would result in fewer learners served and fewer learner transitions to post-secondary education/training and/or the workforce; moreover, any cuts would result in growing unemployment as educators, administrators and support staff would inevitably lose their jobs.
Petition:
We, the undersigned, call upon the Governor and Pennsylvania state legislators to ensure that the Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education, as an education program and workforce partner, remain funded in 2010/2011 at or very near the 2009/2010 level of funding.
I hereby authorize adult education staff to include my name, city, state, zip code, email address, and comments online at gopetition.com onto the above worded petition:
StrengthsQuestion 3: What are the strengths of your network?
L.A. – Strengths of Network
Student Leaders
Volume of Response
Collaborations
Multiple tactics
Washington DC -- Strengths
PA— Network Strengths
AdvocacyIf you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.
—Desmond Tutu
PA Pledge – Network StrengthsI pledge to support the need for adult basic and family literacy by participating in the following advocacy activities in the next two (2) months:
_____Yes, I will contact my state senator and state representative. I will do the following (please check at least one):
______ Invite legislators to visit my program;
______ Invite legislators to graduation or another special event; and/or
______Ask for a meeting in their district offices.
NOTE: Your advocating should not contradict the policies of the organization of your employment. If your organization has a policy opposing your communicating with legislators, your letters, emails, or phone calls should be made as a private citizen and not on behalf of your program, and therefore on your own time. As a private citizen, you should voice your opinions. In working with your supervisor, you should try to find out what approval is necessary to invite legislators to visit your program or attend graduation.
PA – Policy ForumPENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION POLICY FORUM IN HARRISBURG
Adult Literacy: A Critical Role In Pennsylvania’s FutureTuesday, May 8, 2012Breakfast – 8:00 a.m.Program – 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.Advocacy Training – 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Crowne-Plaza Harrisburg-Hershey23 South Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Overview of the Issue Will Be Provided By:Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
The Following Will Provide Perspectives on the Policies, Impact and Funding That Drive Adult Literacy Programs In PA:Cynthia Burkhart, Ed.D., Executive Director, Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13Diane Bosak, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Commission for Community CollegesTerri Kaufman, Executive Director, South Central Workforce Development BoardJoAnn Weinberger, Chair, Public Policy Committee, PA Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) and President/Executive Director, Center for LiteracyJeff Woodward, Executive Director, Tri-County OIC
MN — Network Strengths
Statewide Reach
Long History
Startup Funding
Strong Literacy Council
Department of Education blessing
Non-profit Status
What Lies Ahead?Question 4: What are your aspirations for the future?
MN — Aspirations for the Future
More Expansive Database
Sustainable Funding for Network
More Local Legislative Interactions
Solidify Ties to Workforce and Community and Technical College Systems
Get Involved
Stay Connected:
Blog http://blog.ncladvocacy.org
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/NationalCoalitionforLiteracy
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NCLAdvocacy
www.twitter.com/COABENews
Sign Up for Federal Alerts:
National Coalition for Literacy http://www.capwiz.com/ncl/mlm/signup/
Commission on Adult Basic Education
Join COABE: www.coabe.org
Contact Us:
Jackie Taylor [email protected]
Sean [email protected]
Eric Nesheim [email protected]
JoAnn Weinberger [email protected]
…for Joining Us!