Welcome

Buy, Lobby or Sue

Presented byDolores Sanchez, CFT Legislative Representative

Ron Jackson, CFT Field Representative

CCE Annual ConferenceOctober 16-18, 2009

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AgendaI. Introductions

II. Legislative ToolsI. The Guide to Reading a Bill

II. How a Bill Becomes a Law

III. Lobbying ToolsI. The What, Who and Why of Lobbying

II. Strategies for Effective Communication

III. Letter Writing Tips

IV. Role Playing Activity

V. Follow-up Activities

VI. The Difference Between Goals and Objectives

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Guide to Reading a Bill

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—2009-2010 REGULAR SESSION

ASSEMBLY BILL No. 379============================================

Introduced by Assembly Member Torlakson

February 23, 2009============================================

An act to add Sections 45266.5 and 88086.25 to the Education Code,relating to classified employees.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 379, as introduced, Torlakson. Classified employees: personnelcommissions: director.Existing law requires school districts and community college districtsadopting the merit system for classified employees to appoint apersonnel commission. The personnel commission is required to appointa personnel director who is responsible to the commission for carryingout all procedures in the administration of the classified personnel inaccordance with the requirements of existing law and rules of thecommission.This bill would require the personnel commission of each of thosedistricts, consistent with the commission rules applicable to all classifiedemployees, to determine compensation for, and supervise the personneldirector. The bill also would encourage the personnel commission of adistrict to prepare an annual written performance evaluation of thepersonnel director. The administration of, and the exclusiverepresentatives of classified employees of, each of those districts wouldbe authorized to participate in the annual performance evaluation of thepersonnel director by completing an evaluation or comment formdistributed by the commission. The personnel commission of each ofthose districts would be authorized to review the submitted evaluationand comment forms, if any, and to consider the forms as part of the

Indicates house of origin

This area will show a date each time bill is amended.

Bills are introduced in sequential number in each house

Date introduced.

Legislative Counsel drafts all legislation and writes a summary.

Code sections being added or amended.

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Guide to Reading a BillAB 379 – 2 –

overall evaluation process. The bill would require that, if the commissionprepares this evaluation, the commission would be responsible for thecontent of that final evaluation.The bill would grant the personnel commission of a district theauthority to impose discipline upon the personnel director if cause hasbeen established in accordance with commission rules applicable to allclassified employees. The bill would provide, to ensure due process forthe personnel director, that he or she be granted the option of requestinga hearing from an impartial hearing officer, as specified. The bill wouldrequire that the method for selecting the hearing officer be designatedin commission rules, and would bind the commission by the findingsof the hearing officer.The bill would require that the procedures authorized by the bill beintegrated into the regular personnel commission activities and beconducted within the amount otherwise budgeted for the personnelcommission of the district. The bill would express the intent of theLegislature to prohibit, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the totalallocation to districts pursuant to the bill in a fiscal year from exceeding$15,000. To the extent that this bill would impose additional duties onlocal officials, it would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse localagencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement shall be made pursuantto these statutory provisions for costs mandated by the state pursuantto this act, but would recognize that local agencies and school districtsmay pursue any available remedies to seek reimbursement for thesecosts.Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.State-mandated local program: yes.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

Vote requirement

Bill text

Appropriation and Fiscal committee

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The What, Who and Why of Lobbying

• Who is a lobbyist?– An individual engaged to present the views of

a group or organization to legislators.

• Nonregistered

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The What, Who and Why of Lobbying

• Who is a lobbyist?• Registered

– A lobbyist is an individual who:– Receives $2,000 or more in economic

consideration in a calendar month– Communicates directly with covered officials– For the purpose of influencing legislative or

administrative action

7FPPC regulation 2 Cal.Code Regs. § 18239

The What, Who and Why of Lobbying

• Types of lobbyists•An employee lobbyist who spends one-third or more of his or her compensated time in any calendar month

•A contract lobbyist who receives $2,000 or more in any calendar month

8FPPC regulation 2 Cal.Code Regs. § 18239

The What, Who and Why of Lobbying

• Why are lobbyists needed?

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Strategies for Effective CommunicationThere are certain protocols to remember when communicating with legislators. Here are a few tips: 

Personal visits - When you visit your elected official:

•Keep Group Small - Limit your group to 3 to 5 people. Agree in advance who will be the spokesperson to introduce the group and explain the purpose of the visit.

•Be on Time - Make certain you reach your appointment on time, or a few minutes early.

•Be Prepared - Be informed about your issue; know the bill number and author's name. Know what you want to say. Emphasize how the issue affects you and your members. Put your arguments in writing and leave them with the legislator. Also, know the names of all the elected officials who represent you.

•Focus on Issue - Present your views politely, but persuasively. Use relevant facts. Bring an expert, such as a member with experience on the issue being discussed, to advocate your views.

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• Be Brief - Since legislators have extremely busy schedules, plan on getting your message across in 5 to 10 minutes at the very most. Don’t get sidetracked into small talk. Rather, defer small talk to the end of the meeting if it doesn’t directly relate to the message you are trying to convey.

• Listen Carefully - Be ready to answer questions clearly. If you don't know the answer to a question admit it -- tell the legislator you will provide the answer later. Listen carefully to your legislator's viewpoint -- even if you disagree.

• Press for Specifics - Find out exactly where your legislator stands on the issue. Ask what action he or she intends to take.

• Report Back - Results of your visit are very important to CFT staff, particularly your lobbyists. Appoint a lead person who will report back to them.

• Follow-up - Send a thank you note/letter to your legislator. Also include a summary of your position plus any other new information that supports your views.

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Strategies for Effective Communication

Letter Writing Tips• Make sure your letter is timely. Write when legislation is

pending in committee.

• State reasons for your position. Tell how the issue affects you and your members.

• Address letters to your own legislators or members of Congress, or to committee chairs.

• Use your own words on your own stationery.

• Identify bills by number and author.

• Keep your letter short and clear.

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• Use the proper form of address

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Letter Writing Tips

The Honorable Velma ButlerCalifornia State SenateState Capitol, Room 1234Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Senator Butler:

The Honorable Mary Van GinkleCalifornia State AssemblyState Capitol, Room 4321Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Assemblymember Van Ginkle:

The Honorable Christie FigueroaUnited States Senate(insert address)Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Figueroa:

The Honorable Janet EberhardtU.S. House of Representatives(insert address)Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative Eberhardt:

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RolePlayingActivity

Follow-up Activities • Communication

– Newsletter; website; visits• Local contact

– Legislative office• Activities

– Rallies; award ceremonies; key events• Labor council

– Labor council slot and participation• Research

– Maintain news clippings, etc., regarding issues and member activity

• Recognition– Send letter of thanks and awards when appropriate

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Helpful Website Addresses

Governor Schwarzenegger………………………...California Homepage………………………...……..California State Senate……………………………..California State Assembly………………………….Official California Legislative Information……California Federation of Teachers Homepage…...CFT Legislative Advocacy Homepage……………

www.gov.ca.govwww.ca.govwww.senate.ca.govwww.assembly.ca.govwww.leginfo.ca.govwww.cft.orgwww.saccft.org *

*User name and password required.Call the Sacramento Office at (916) 446-2788.

LIRA = Legislative Interactive Realtime Advocacy

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The Difference Between Goals and Objectives

• Goals are broad; Objectives are narrow.

• Goals are general intentions; Objectives are precise.

• Goals are intangible; Objectives are tangible.

• Goals are abstract; Objectives are concrete.

• Goals can’t be validated as is; Objectives can be validated.

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Goal Setting

A. Make sure the goal you are working for is something you really want, not just something that sounds good

KEY: When setting goals it is very important to remember that your goals must be consistent with your values

B. A goal cannot contradict any other goals

KEY: We should continually strive to eliminate contradictory ideas from our planning

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Goal Setting

C. Write your goal in the positive instead of the negative

KEY: Part of the reason why we write down and examine our goals is to create a set of instructions to carry out

D. Write your goal out in complete detail

KEY: The more information and research included in your ideas, the more clear the final outcome becomes

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E. By all means, make sure your goal is high enough

KEY: Shoot for the moon, if you miss, you’ll still be in the stars!

F. This is most important – write down your goals

KEY: Writing down your goals creates the road map to your success. Review your goals frequently, if you need to change a goal do not consider it a failure, consider it a victory as you had the insight to realize something was different.

Goal Setting

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Goal Setting

Stay Focused

Every time you make a decision during the week, ask yourself this question: Does it take me closer to or further from my goal. If the answer is closer to, then you’ve made the right decision. If the answer is further from, well, you know what to do.

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Planning (A Roadmap to Success)Goal:

Objectives:A.B.C.D.E.F.

ActivitiesA.B.C.D.E.F.

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Planning (A Roadmap to Success)

Activities – Action steps necessary to accomplish your objectives

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

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Goal:

Objectives:A.B.C.D.E.F.

ActivitiesA.B.C.D.E.F.

Planning (A Roadmap to Success)