eant, or honoring the official for their hard
work to support your community.
These activities allow you to establish a
relationship under conditions that are nonthreating and without the pressure to have
the official respond to a series of requests.
Once a relationship is built, it becomes
necessary to maintain and cultivate that relationship. This means having regular communication or contact with the person you
are building a relationship with.
As an example, building a relationship
with a state senator or assemblymember requires consistent contact and understanding
of the legislator’s goals, background and interests. This also includes looking for others
who have positive relationships with the legislator and building an alliance with others
who share similar interests.
Specific activities would include visiting
them in both their legislative district office
and the state Capitol. Invite the legislator to
events at the school district, along with local
press to recognize their legislator’s good work.
More overt political activism includes
meetings where there is a definitive “ask” for
Using your influence to change minds or garner support is a
key strategy for success.
a legislator to support or oppose a specific
issue. When engaging in overt advocacy,
there are several key steps that must be taken
to be successful.
First, communicate the purpose of the
meeting. It is always important that the
legislator is adequately prepared for the
meeting. Hopefully, before submitting the
meeting request, this is not the first time the
legislator has heard from you.
Second, know the subject better than the
legislator. Preparation is a key component
to meeting with policymakers. The ability to
answer any possible question will be imperative in a successful meeting.
Next, offer solutions. Bringing a problem
to solve is important, but also provide solutions that are within the ability of the legislator to accomplish. It could be supporting
a legislative bill or regulation that impacts
students.
Brevity is also a key component to any
positive meeting with a legislator. They will
meet with several individuals or organizations in any given day. It’s important to stay
on message, address key issues quickly and
thoroughly.
Finally, after concluding the meeting, follow up with a personal thank-you letter.
The one common theme in all forms of
advocacy is the relationship between the
parties involved. Every leader, every parent,
every child, every person advocates every day
of their life. Advocacy requires attention,
focus and cultivation.
Everyone can be successful as an advocate.
Remember: If you fail to be an active participate in decision making, people will make
decisions for you.
Adonai Mack is ACSA’s senior director
for political affairs and strategy.
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Leadership