2014 california state pta convention workshop...
TRANSCRIPT
2014 California State PTA Convention
Workshop #C-8
PTA Advocacy • The basics
Advocacy • Identifying the issue
• Make a plan
Interactive Activity
Q & A
2
Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that
ever has.
Margaret Mead
3
Look in the mirror
We all have various levels of understanding
when it comes to advocacy.
Just start with this question:
Who do you know that is an effective advocate?
4
Why are children effective advocates? Because they:
Are not afraid to ask for what they want
Are persistent
Are able to appeal to your emotional side
Give you a variety of options to negotiate
Will try to make it seem as if it was your idea all along!
Therefore, all of us know how to be advocates— we have been doing it throughout our lives.
5
Nation’s largest advocacy organization working on
behalf of children.
The mission of the California State PTA is to
positively impact the lives of all children and families.
6
Secure adequate laws for the care and protection of
children and youth
Educate decision-makers at local, state and/or federal
levels
Educate the public
Influence laws, policies & programs
No amount of fundraising equals the impact of
a single piece of legislation!
7
Strength of numbers brings strength of
message. This is why membership
campaigns are critical.
8
Is it something that others are concerned about?
What are you trying to accomplish?
Does it fall within the scope of the PTA?
Does it use resources well?
Does it address the concerns of the community?
Will it energize members?
What are the arguments against the issue?
9
Has the California State PTA taken a position? o PTAs cannot advocate in the name of PTA without prior PTA
authority.
PTA authority is found in our: ◦ Convention resolutions adopted by California State PTA
convention delegates ◦ The legislation platform principles and planks ◦ Position statements and resolutions adopted by the California
State PTA Board of Managers ◦ National PTA convention resolutions ◦ National PTA Board of Directors position statements and
legislative directives ◦ Previous PTA action on the issues ◦ (Toolkit 4.2.2b)
10
Do research – cite reliable/credible sources
Understand the facts
Find stories that support your position
Examine both pros and cons
Encourage communication among various groups
Share information and resources
Provide solutions to identified problems
11
Develop talking points:
Present facts clearly
Focus on the, who, what, when, where, and how
Aim for THREE specific points
Align your message with PTA policies/positions
Empower members to be confident
12
How will you educate your local PTA members and other community members?
Are there non-PTA members who can influence the decision makers?
Are there community groups who share the concern?
How do you want other groups to help you persuade your identified decision makers?
How will you ensure a consistent message is communicated?
13
Transportation to and from school is being cut
Educate yourself
How this will impact children /community
What are you trying to accomplish?
14
PTA supported Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
Legislation
Three main points of Safe Routes to School
◦ Engineering
◦ Enforcement
◦ Education
15
PTA supports SRTS
There is grant money
available
Walking to school can
help reduce childhood
obesity
SRTS programs make
city streets safer
16
No money in city
budgets
Streets are safe already
Not a priority
May not receive grant
money
School / City
relationship
School personnel (the principal and teachers)
The PTA
Parents
Students
Elected officials
Engineers
Police officers
City and/or county planners
Health officials
Nonprofit organizations
Business and community leaders
17
Make sure they are simple and consistent
Identify the Problem o Pedestrian accidents are the second leading cause of fatal
injuries among 5-12 year olds statewide; bicycle crashes are fifth. (California Department of Health Services) Our most vulnerable citizens are at risk – our children and our seniors.
Propose a Solution o We want to ensure that our streets are safe for all citizens in our
community! We need to improve XX intersection. Law enforcement will be needed to support this.
Call to Action – Cite Endorsements o We want to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are safe when
walking and riding their bikes in our community. That’s why PTA (and identified allies) support these traffic safety improvements.
18
Local City Council Members
City Staff (in charge of traffic management)
School Board (if property is District-owned)
19
PTA Members/Parents
Student Groups
Local Youth or Civic Organizations
Public Safety Officials
20
Your district’s elementary school music program is
in jeopardy due to budget constraints.
Your school district is in need of a school resource
officer at your middle/high school. Schools and
cities may work together to provide this sort of
personnel.
Or choose your own advocacy issue.
21
22
23
Donna Artukovic, Education Advocate
California State PTA
Dianna MacDonald, Family Engagement Advocate
California State PTA
24
2014 California State PTA Convention 1 Workshop C-8 Effective Child Advocacy at the Local Level
2327 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 916.440.1985 FAX: 916.440.1986
Email: [email protected] www.capta.org
Effective Child Advocacy at the Local Level
Instructions for Interactive Session
1. Choose which challenge to tackle.
Organize an advocacy effort to protect elementary school music program. or
Organize an advocacy effort to hire a Safety Resource Officer for your middle/high school. or
Organize a local advocacy campaign around a pressing issue in one of your table-mate’s communities.
2. Get to work.
Identify your target audience(s) (e.g. voters, legislators, school board members, city council members, etc.). Who are the decision-makers on this issue?
Which, if any, potential ally organizations could assist?
What are your key talking points? Include a slogan if you can.
How will you reach your target audience(s)? What kinds of communications might you use?
Is there a high profile event as part of your plan? If so, how would you organize it?
3. Choose a representative to give a brief (verbal) report with us on your group’s work at the conclusion of this session.
Workshop C- 8 California State PTA Convention 2014 1
2014 California State PTA Convention
Workshop #C-8
PTA Advocacy • The basics
Advocacy • Identifying the issue
• Make a plan
Interactive Activity
Q & A
2
Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that
ever has.
Margaret Mead
3
Workshop C- 8 California State PTA Convention 2014 2
Look in the mirror
We all have various levels of understanding
when it comes to advocacy.
Just start with this question:
Who do you know that is an effective advocate?
4
Why are children effective advocates? Because they:
Are not afraid to ask for what they want
Are persistent
Are able to appeal to your emotional side
Give you a variety of options to negotiate
Will try to make it seem as if it was your idea all along!
Therefore, all of us know how to be advocates— we have been doing it throughout our lives.
5
Nation’s largest advocacy organization working on
behalf of children.
The mission of the California State PTA is to
positively impact the lives of all children and families.
6
Workshop C- 8 California State PTA Convention 2014 3
Secure adequate laws for the care and protection of
children and youth
Educate decision-makers at local, state and/or federal
levels
Educate the public
Influence laws, policies & programs
No amount of fundraising equals the impact of
a single piece of legislation!
7
Strength of numbers brings strength of
message. This is why membership
campaigns are critical.
8
Is it something that others are concerned about?
What are you trying to accomplish?
Does it fall within the scope of the PTA?
Does it use resources well?
Does it address the concerns of the community?
Will it energize members?
What are the arguments against the issue?
9
Workshop C- 8 California State PTA Convention 2014 4
Has the California State PTA taken a position? o PTAs cannot advocate in the name of PTA without prior PTA
authority.
PTA authority is found in our: ◦ Convention resolutions adopted by California State PTA
convention delegates ◦ The legislation platform principles and planks ◦ Position statements and resolutions adopted by the California
State PTA Board of Managers ◦ National PTA convention resolutions ◦ National PTA Board of Directors position statements and
legislative directives ◦ Previous PTA action on the issues ◦ (Toolkit 4.2.2b)
10
Do research – cite reliable/credible sources
Understand the facts
Find stories that support your position
Examine both pros and cons
Encourage communication among various groups
Share information and resources
Provide solutions to identified problems
11
Develop talking points:
Present facts clearly
Focus on the, who, what, when, where, and how
Aim for THREE specific points
Align your message with PTA policies/positions
Empower members to be confident
12
Workshop C- 8 California State PTA Convention 2014 5
How will you educate your local PTA members and other community members?
Are there non-PTA members who can influence the decision makers?
Are there community groups who share the concern?
How do you want other groups to help you persuade your identified decision makers?
How will you ensure a consistent message is communicated?
13
Transportation to and from school is being cut
Educate yourself
How this will impact children /community
What are you trying to accomplish?
14
PTA supported Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
Legislation
Three main points of Safe Routes to School
◦ Engineering
◦ Enforcement
◦ Education
15
Workshop C- 8 California State PTA Convention 2014 6
PTA supports SRTS
There is grant money
available
Walking to school can
help reduce childhood
obesity
SRTS programs make
city streets safer
16
No money in city
budgets
Streets are safe already
Not a priority
May not receive grant
money
School / City
relationship
School personnel (the principal and teachers)
The PTA
Parents
Students
Elected officials
Engineers
Police officers
City and/or county planners
Health officials
Nonprofit organizations
Business and community leaders
17
Make sure they are simple and consistent
Identify the Problem o Pedestrian accidents are the second leading cause of fatal
injuries among 5-12 year olds statewide; bicycle crashes are fifth. (California Department of Health Services) Our most vulnerable citizens are at risk – our children and our seniors.
Propose a Solution o We want to ensure that our streets are safe for all citizens in our
community! We need to improve XX intersection. Law enforcement will be needed to support this.
Call to Action – Cite Endorsements o We want to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are safe when
walking and riding their bikes in our community. That’s why PTA (and identified allies) support these traffic safety improvements.
18
Workshop C- 8 California State PTA Convention 2014 7
Local City Council Members
City Staff (in charge of traffic management)
School Board (if property is District-owned)
19
PTA Members/Parents
Student Groups
Local Youth or Civic Organizations
Public Safety Officials
20
Your district’s elementary school music program is
in jeopardy due to budget constraints.
Your school district is in need of a school resource
officer at your middle/high school. Schools and
cities may work together to provide this sort of
personnel.
Or choose your own advocacy issue.
21
Workshop C- 8 California State PTA Convention 2014 8
22
23
Donna Artukovic, Education Advocate
California State PTA
Dianna MacDonald, Family Engagement Advocate
California State PTA
24