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Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

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What is “Advocacy”? When in doubt, turn to Wikipedia Wikipedia “Advocacy is the pursuit of influencing outcomes — including public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions — that directly affect people’s current lives. (Cohen, 2001)”

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Page 1: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC

A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Page 2: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Topics

What is Advocacy? Why Advocate? Building Your Local Advocacy Plan

Page 3: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

What is “Advocacy”?

When in doubt, turn to Wikipedia“Advocacy is the pursuit of influencing outcomes — including public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions — that directly affect people’s current lives. (Cohen, 2001)”

Page 4: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Why is This Important?How Government Policies Affect YOUR Life

Activity Government ImpactWake up to the Radio FCC Regulation of

SpectrumHave a Cup of Coffee Trade Tariffs on Coffee

BeansDrive to Work Government Building of

RoadsCheck E-mail Government Regulation of

Telephony Services

Page 5: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

How Government Policies Affect YOUR Life (Continued)

Activity Government ImpactRestroom Break Local Combined Sewer

Overflow RegulationsPick up Kids at Daycare Local Business Licensing

RegulationsStop at Grocery Store – pick up salad fixings

Government Agriculture Regulations

Go to Sleep Government Regulation of Dreams (Kidding!)

Page 6: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Most important impact?

There are at least three ways that effective advocacy can help you get more funds for school libraries

1. Direct request to elected officials at ALL levels (local, state and federal)

2. Assistance with your grant requests3. (Most important) Being at the table

Page 7: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Your Role

Are you thinking: “but, I’m not allowed to advocate – this can’t apply to me”?

Well, stop!

Page 8: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Five Steps for Building a Winning Plan

Developing your goal Expressing your goal Identifying your audience Building coalitions Five critical message delivery techniques

Page 9: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Where to Start: Defining the Goal

What do you want?– Building repairs– New resources for

students– Computers, staff, etc.– Other?

Expressing that Goal– Specific request– Specific timeframe– Focus on benefits

Page 10: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Plan of Action: Audience

The chain of command

• How can you achieve your goal?

• Who makes the decisions?• Is there more than one

avenue?

Page 11: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Plan of Action: Audience

Once you’ve figured out the chain of command, you’ll know who your audience is. Now you need to figure out:

•What (or who) influences them?•How did they get into office?•What jurisdiction do they serve?•What are their personal interests?•Personal relationship to school libraries

How? Try Google!

Page 12: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Coalition / Network Building: Process

Where do we find coalitions?– Brainstorm based on issue – who might benefit?

Political considerations– Are their groups we don’t want to partner with?

Identify coalition member strengths– Message– Contacts– Advocates

Coalition member tasks: Being specific is critical Timeline for coordination (weekly, monthly,

quarterly meetings?)

Page 13: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Five Critical Delivery Techniques

Site Visits / District Meetings Participating in Hearings Pushing Out Through Meetings, Letters and Phone Calls Utilizing the Media Web 2.0

Page 14: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Site Visits / District Meetings: Process

Decide who to invite– Don’t Forget Staff– Potential Pitfalls

Decide what to show them: You’ll be surprised at what interested them

The invitation process Who should attend on your end (“real”

people) Logistics, logistics, logistics Recording the event

Page 15: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Hearings: Process

What are the opportunities? Who can / should speak? Who is relevant? What do we know about the audience? What would we say (in 5 minutes or less) How would we follow-up? Let’s practice!

Page 16: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Pushing Out Through Meetings, Letters and Phone Calls

Meetings When is a

meeting necessary?

Who should deliver the message?

How to arrange What will happen

in the meeting? How to follow-up

Phone Calls Prepping the

advocates Pros and cons of

scripts Always ask for a

response!

Written Communications• Call to action• Personal story• Relevancy• Keep it brief

Page 17: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Message Delivery: Media Options

Press releases Press conferences LTEs / Op Eds Editorial Boards Columns Events Local radio / TV

Page 18: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Media Events: Process

What’s the hook?– Connections to outside events / already newsworthy

items What’s the venue?

– Print?, TV?, Radio?, Internet? Develop the message

– Hint: personal and thoughtful works here as well Who will deliver the message best?

– When to use public officials Following up

Page 19: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Web 2.0 Outreach

Virtual Townhalls and Meetings Using Linked-In for Research on Your

Legislators Facebook, Twitter and Other New Tools

– Connect with other advocates– Connect with your elected officials– Use these resources for effective networking

Page 20: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

The Five Minute Action Plan

What specific actions will you take in the next six months to advocate for school library programs?

Page 21: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Go Forth and Advocate!

Take the Advocacy Pledge

Page 22: Libraries from Townhall to Washington, DC A Presentation from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru

Contact Information

1640 19th Street NWSecond Floor

Washington, DC 20009 (202) 234-1353

[email protected]