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Legislative Advocacy 101Legislative Advocacy 101
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ObjectivesObjectives
To teach Financial Aid professionals HOW to effectively develop and disseminate an advocacy message.
To increase campus and community AWARENESS of advocacy issues and opportunities.
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Overarching GoalsOverarching Goals
To foster awareness about legislative advocacy among Financial Aid professionals and the aid community.
WHILE
Empowering Financial Aid professionals to be active advocates for student aid issues, both now and in the future.
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What is Advocacy?What is Advocacy?
“Act of pleading for, supporting or recommending…” – Websters Dictionary.
From the Latin advocare: “to call to one’s aid”
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What is Advocacy to US?What is Advocacy to US? “To assist educational institutions,
foundations, government agencies and private and community organizations to promote and develop effective programs of student financial aid.” – NYSFAAA Constitution
“ to work with SUNY System Administration, public policymakers, and campus administrators in serving the best interests of applicants, the University, and the public.” – SUNYFAP Constitution
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The Three “A’s” of AdvocacyThe Three “A’s” of Advocacy
Awareness– Your own, students, colleagues, legislators.
Advancement– By getting involved, you can help advance a
movement or effect a policy change.
Action– Make contacts, write letters, call or visit your
elected officials, support an organization.
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Why Should WE Be Advocates?Why Should WE Be Advocates?
Students and the needy do not always advocate for themselves
We have a unique position to see problems and understand their implications
The problems matter We have “respect” and “credibility” – this
needs to earned and cultivated
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Why Should We Be Why Should We Be LEGISLATIVE Advocates?LEGISLATIVE Advocates?
You may “hate” politics, but you can’t ignore the consequences of politics … especially for those who don’t speak for themselves.
http://erlc.com/images/article_photos/misc/silenced_-_iStock.jpg
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Examples of Leg. AdvocacyExamples of Leg. Advocacy
Mandate that Pell Grant funding be left in tact Increase TAP maximum award if SUNY
Tuition goes over $5000 Reinstitute Graduate TAP Keep Campus based programs Eliminate Burdensome regulations Fill in the ____________________
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The Legislative “Process”The Legislative “Process”
Sloooooooooow … Varies for different Legislative bodies Know when your voice will be heard
– Proposal of a bill– Public Hearings on the issue– Lobbying individual legislators
And Intervene!
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How does a Bill become a Law?How does a Bill become a Law?
http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_02.php http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/
Bill_Becomes_Law/Bill_Becomes_Law.cfm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ (video)
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How a Bill Becomes a LawHow a Bill Becomes a Law
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Who are your Representatives?Who are your Representatives?
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How to Choose your “Hot” Topic?How to Choose your “Hot” Topic?
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Leverage your ExpertiseLeverage your Expertise
Become the campus advocacy person Know the campus government relations
person Know the elected officials and their staff Use the media Use students Data rules No action on your part = stop complaining
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Formal ApproachFormal Approach
Institution’s Government Relations Office – they work with elected officials on a whole spectrum of issues. They maintain a more over arching relationship with elected officials. However – your Governmental Relations office needs to be in touch with you – the local expert on aid issues
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Aid Professional ApproachAid Professional Approach
Financial Aid professionals advocate lawmakers directly
Propose advocacy message to be approved by government relations person and possibly president
Coordinate with assiciations Advocate the lawmaker
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Contacting Elected OfficialsContacting Elected Officials
In- person visits – most effective – likely to meet staffer – first 5 minutes are crucial.
E-mail – convenient, always copy staffer and state,regional, national associations
Phone – calls do work – it’s old school but it works
Fax – This works too!
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Preparing for the VisitPreparing for the Visit
Do Your Homework!Prepare a one-page “leave-behind “
document that contains –
-Specifics about your school/students
-Summary of the issue
-Specific recommendation
- Your Contact information
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Day of the VisitDay of the Visit
Do’s: Arrive on time
Clearly state who you are representing
Show gratitude
Listen first, then speak
Be concise
Ask for support
Focus on students
Do Not:Engage in political
discussion
Offer suggestions on cutting other programs to pay for student aid
Answer a question you do not know the answer to – get back to them
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After The VisitAfter The Visit
Follow up with a Thank you noteFollow up with additional information
as neededEncourage an on-going relationship
– invite the member to campusVisit them in the home-district office
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Summary Tips Effective AdvocacySummary Tips Effective Advocacy
It’s easy to be an advocate.Keep it localKeep it personalUnderstand your member’s positionKeep it factualKnow the issue
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Questions?Questions?
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The EndThe End