Advocacy Agenda

Advocacy, whether at the local, state, or federal level, is simply making your views known through direct and indirect contacts with elected officials and other decision makers. This includes your local elected school board members. Everyone, regardless of your prior experience, should make it a practice to let your representative know your position on key issues. Your representatives want to hear from you!

Now that you've agreed to help promote gifted education issues, take a moment to review the following steps that will help you ensure success.

• Educate Yourself A well-informed advocate is the most successful advocate. Although it is not necessary to become an "expert" in gifted education issues, it is very helpful if you share with your representatives more than your personal story.
• Decide on your message Once you are comfortable with the issue, decide what you are seeking from your representative, and be as specific as possible. Do you want their support for existing legislation? When your message is clear, it will be easier for your representative to respond.
• Identify targets Not every elected official can efficiently help you with every gifted education issue. Be sure that you identify which level of government handles the specific issue you are concerned about (for example, curriculum decisions may be a local school board issue; some funding issues are state-level questions; others are federal) and that you are directing your advocacy efforts to the correct representative. GAM can help you identify key state-level decision-makers; the names and addresses of your state and federal legislators are available from your local library or the Internet.

• Important Points to Remember when Writing and Calling Your Legislator and School Board Members

1. Keep the letters and calls brief and concise (letters generally not more than 3-5 paragraphs; phone calls generally 1 to 2 minutes).
2. Inform the Legislator who you are and if you are from his/her district.
3. Say why you are writing/calling.
4. Explain the action you want the elected official to take.
5. Explain what this action will accomplish (especially in his/her district).
6. Ask for his or her vote. Ask if you can count on his/her commitment.
7. If the official is unavailable when you call, speak to the staff member. This is more likely to get the message across than waiting for a return phone call, especially if a vote is pending.

Make Your Letter Count

• Essential Components of a Letter to Your Elected Official Officials and their staffs pay careful attention to their mail since it often conveys the major body of public and voter sentiment on pending legislative activity. Here's an outline to follow when writing a letter to your elected official.
  • Introductory Paragraph ... Give a reason for your letter, stating the title and number of the existing or pending legislation, if appropriate. ... Identify yourself and your interest in gifted education.
  • State the action you are seeking. Communicate reasons why this legislator should act in support of your bill. These reasons might include historical facts, logic, data, credible opinion, personal experience, and the weaknesses of opposing points of view.
  • Letter Closing ... Restate the action you are seeking. Ask for the official's comment. ... Express appreciation for considering your views. Indicate willingness to help. ... If you can arrange it, invite the official to visit your classroom or school. Provide your address and phone number.

 

• Tips to Increase the Effectiveness of Your Letter

1. Be courteous, constructive, and reasonable, or you will lose credibility and the reader's good will.

2. Be careful not to give exaggerated or misleading information. Facts must be accurate.

3. Write your letter in your own words. Form letters do not produce results. The following letter can help you get started. 4. Use your own stationery. Never use work time or materials for advocacy purposes.

5. Spell names correctly. Be neat. Type if your handwriting is hard to read.

6. Send a letter of appreciation after you have received the support you request.

 

• Sample Letter to Your State Legislator

The Honorable ___________________ Missouri Senate (or House of Representatives) State Capitol Building Jefferson City, MO 65101 Dear Senator (or Representative) ___________:

As a resident of your district, I am writing you to (support/oppose) (proposed legislation), the measure which will (discuss how your children and your school district would benefit). This proposal is necessary because (expand on details). (Explain in your words how the legislation will affect you and your association, and what impact it will have on legislator's district).

Thank you for your past support (if this applies). Once again, I hope you will be able to (support/oppose) (proposed legislation).

Sincerely, Your Name Your Address Your City, State and Zip

• Make sure your presentation is simple. Remember time is short.
• Make clear how your proposal will affect the legislator's constituency.
• Bring your message home.
• Some points to raise ... The impact current legislative proposals have on your school district and, in turn, the community
• Thank him/her for their previous support ...How the legislator's previous votes (related to gifted programs) have benefited constituents
• The unique contribution your programs make to the community; ... Your outreach efforts to children and to the community; ... Your association's impact on children's lives and their future education.
• If you don't know the answer to a question, don't bluff. Say "I don't know, but I'll get back to you on it." Then DO IT. This gives you another opportunity to bring the issue to the legislator's attention.
• Don't use a lot of statistics. They won't be remembered. DO USE A FEW STRONG, MEMORABLE NUMBERS TO ILLUSTRATE YOUR POINTS, i.e., 75% funding for the gifted program.
• Following-up on the Meeting ... Send a thank-you note. ... Invite the legislator to an upcoming event, or an opportunity to visit your school program. ... Let your board and coalition know of the meeting and its outcome.

Click on www.mo.gov to find your Missouri Representative and Senator, and their addresses, phone numbers, and individual information.

Updated 9/7/08