ResolutionsGrassroots Public Policy

AAFCS Public Policy Committee

What’s A Resolution?

• Provides Public Policy Focus and

Voice for the Association

-- defines position on an issue

-- supports a concern

-- impacts public opinion

Purpose of Resolutions

• Shape Opinion or Policy

• Provide Groundwork for Strategic Plan

• Supports Position of Other Groups

• Affirms Stance of the Association

Developing Resolutions

• Issue or Concern– Is it Consistent with the AAFCS Vision &

Mission?– Is it Definitive, Realistic and Achievable?

Developing Resolutions

• Rationale– Provides Background – States Importance of Issue

Developing Resolutions

• Impact Statement– Costs to Association– Benefits to Association

Developing Resolutions

Implementation - What Should Occur

- Strategies

Implementation Strategies• Establish Coalitions/Networks

• Influence Legislation

• Develop Programs ,i.e. power point

• Include in Affiliate Strategic Plan/Plan of Action

• Create Awareness using Media Releases

• Market Family and Consumer Sciences

IRS Guidelines for Nonprofits• Lobbying

– Direct Lobbying– Grassroots Lobbying

• Education– Provide nonpartisan research findings– Educate with respect to legislation

Submitting Resolutions

• Draft Sent to Public Policy Committee

• Committee Reviews

• Work with Submitter on Revisions

• Sent to Affiliates for Comments

• Revisions Reflecting Affiliate Comments

• Submitted to AAFCS Senate

• Submitter introduce Res. (2-3 minutes) in Senate

Writing a Resolution

• Identify Issue or Concern– Example: Identify Theft

Writing a Resolution • State the Premise for the Issue

– WHEREAS identity theft is a crime as a result of increased use of technology and the information age; and

– WHEREAS, no one is immune to identify theft; and– WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission has

estimated that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year,

– WHEREAS, one study shows that identity theft cost U.S. businesses and consumers $56.6 billion in 2005; and

Writing a Resolution

• Be It Resolved…– Specific Action Recommended

Be It Resolved that AAFCS support local, statewide, and national educational programs and policies 1) that

are designed to help individuals and families in Identify Theft prevention and recovery and 2) that encourage expansion of security measures to protect personal information.

Action Package

• Resolution

• Fact Sheet

• PowerPoint

• Consumer Resource Guide• A timeline for resolution steps is available

http://www.aafcs.org/Advocacy/Resolutions.asp

Thank You

The Public Policy Committee looks

forward to helping you develop

AAFCS Resolutions that come from

the grassroots. Please contact us!!

AAFCS Public Policy CommitteeContact us at publicpolicy@aafcs.org or 800.424.8080.