Legislative Advocacy 101Legislative Advocacy 101

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.

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.

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”

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

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.

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.

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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 ____________________

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)

How a Bill Becomes a LawHow a Bill Becomes a Law

Who are your Representatives?Who are your Representatives?

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How to Choose your “Hot” Topic?How to Choose your “Hot” Topic?

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

Questions?Questions?

The EndThe End