Advocacy for Children

The history of PTA and it’s implications for our Legislative Agenda for 2010 and beyond.

Kevin McLogan-VP Child Advocacy, Michigan PTSAKevin McLogan-VP Child Advocacy, Michigan PTSA

What has PTA done for you?• Child Labor Laws• Children’s Immunizations • Driver’s Education• Hot Lunch Program• Juvenile Justice System• Compulsory School

Attendance• School Speed Zones• Libraries• Children’s Health Initiative• Ban on Tobacco Advertising

on TV• Children’s Television Viewing

Act• Parental Ratings for TV

• Food Nutrition Labels• Ban on Lead Based Paints• Ban on Corporal Punishment• Kindergarten• Community Playgrounds that

Include Children’s Areas• Drug Free School Zones• Violence Free School Zones• Tobacco Free Schools• Support for Gifted and

Talented• Support for Special Education• Support for At-Risk Children• And much, much more!

Stop and consider the following

When the PTA and the NCCPT were founded:

• Women were not allowed to vote

• Children could go to work at any age

• Schools in many states were segregated by race BY LAW!

What is Advocacy and What is Advocacy and why is it Importantwhy is it Important

What is Advocacy?What is Advocacy?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.1

1.Cohen, D., R. de la Vega, G. Watson. 2001. Advocacy for social justice. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press

Inc.

How Does Michigan PTSA Advocate?

• By resolution: (A resolution is an original (A resolution is an original main motion which because if its main motion which because if its importance, length, or complexity is importance, length, or complexity is submitted in writing.)submitted in writing.)

• Resolutions must be in harmony with the Objects and basic policies of the National PTA

• We do not support a position unless there is a resolution supporting it.

The Objects of the PTA

• To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community and place of worship;

• To raise the standards of home life;• To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of

children and youth;• To bring into closer relation the home and the school,

that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth;

• To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental social and spiritual education.

Why is Advocacy Important?Why is Advocacy Important?

Child advocacy is at the heart of PTA's mission and vision.  This is what makes us different from other parent organizations!

Taking action provides both parents and PTA leaders with the resources to become more involved with their community at home and

their community across the nation. PTA provides the following services to

assist advocacy efforts and allow parents to stay knowledgeable about key issues

affecting children:

Does advocacy have an impact on how a piece of legislation

passes?• Yes, but the impact can be either good or

bad. Effective lobbying can kill or improve a piece of legislation. Bad lobbying can ensure a bad piece of legislation becomes law.

• Advocacy sends legislators a message, “We are informed. We can help the legislator back home when they support schools.”

We compete against special interests.

• There are advocates who want to negatively impact the public school system so we must lay the groundwork to win these challenges.

• They are well-financed and well-organized, so we must be as well.

We need to change the “larger” reputation of school advocacy

groups

• The larger reputation of schools is that all we do is complain about money and that more money will solve all our problems.

If we stand by and watch, or if we advocate poorly, what outcome can

we expect?

• A reduction in funding.

• No help with technology and infrastructure.

• Some form of expanded choice - tuition tax credit.

• Elected officials who do not support the largest employer in their district.

Why should I be interested in public policy advocacy?

• Education is a top legislative priority; therefore, education policy changes will be adopted. As education experts, we owe it to our students to make sure any policy changes improve the educational opportunities and experiences for all students. In other words, change will occur and we should work to make sure the change is positive.

How Can You Get Involved?

• Give reports at PTA meetings and/or school board meetings

• Contribute to your school newsletter

• Send email alerts

• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper

• Bring a friend to training

Things to Remember

• Educate Yourself

• Inform and Educate Others

• Advocate for Change

Remember, we are talking about moving-Remember, we are talking about moving-moving an issue forward, moving a moving an issue forward, moving a

decision-maker, moving public opinion.decision-maker, moving public opinion.

Good Advocating

1. Good information

2. Good networking to share information

3. Be involved

4. Share resources other than information

5. Who, what, where, when, why, and how it will effect the education and the lives of the children in your school/district/city/state.

Good Advocating(continued)

6. Determine the best communicator in your group

7. Fully understand what motivates policymaker

8. Bring up bad information and effectively dismiss it

9. Be willing to compromise

10.Maintain a global perspective

Bad Advocating

• Oversaturate your message– If you jump on every issue every time

• Interrupting the speaker

• Treating others with little or no respect

• Ignoring the concerns of other

• General rudeness

• Being disruptive

• Hyperbole

One simple rule:One simple rule:

What would your mother say if What would your mother say if she saw you behaving like this?she saw you behaving like this?

When to use the “H” wordWhen to use the “H” word

DON’TDON’T DO IT!!DO IT!!

Or I will track you down and embarrass you publicly

Social networks•This year we plan to use Social Networks to get the word out to our Advocates

•How can you participate?

•Set up an account on

CAP WIZCAP WIZ

"Public officials have a responsibility to live "Public officials have a responsibility to live their lives with honesty and integrity, to their lives with honesty and integrity, to honor the sacrifices of those who came honor the sacrifices of those who came

before us. We must follow laws like before us. We must follow laws like everyone else because if public officials everyone else because if public officials don't follow laws, who in the world will?“don't follow laws, who in the world will?“

Kym Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor

They are elected to do the right They are elected to do the right thing, not what is popular. thing, not what is popular.

How can they do an effective job if How can they do an effective job if they are obsessed with a never-they are obsessed with a never-

ending poll?ending poll?

Remember the real reason that we elect people to public office

My personal challenge to youMy personal challenge to you

• Are you ready to make a difference in Are you ready to make a difference in your schools, your community, and the your schools, your community, and the lives of the children of this state?lives of the children of this state?

• Are you willing to be an ADVOCATE Are you willing to be an ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN and make others aware FOR CHILDREN and make others aware of the issues of the day?of the issues of the day?

• Are you going to call me and have me Are you going to call me and have me help you in your quest?help you in your quest?

Thank You!Thank You!

Please contact me, I would love to come to your school and help you speak to your unit or council.

Kevin McLogan, VP for Children’s Advocacy

248-307-1037

kmclogan@wowway.com

www.twitter.com/kmclogan

www.facebook.com/kmclogan

Social Media tid bits

Frank meeting

Bad meeting