how one action per month can save the world an ala washington office webinar
TRANSCRIPT
How One Action Per Month Can Save the World
An ALA Washington Office Webinar
Topics
About the Webinar Who’s Speaking? Welcome from ALA Building your advocacy calendar Your five minute action plan
About the Webinar
What’s happening? Muting Q&A Recording and Follow-Up Materials
Who’s Speaking?
Welcome from ALA
Kristin Murphy, Government Relations Specialist, ALA
Where are we Starting From?
Let’s go to the polls!
Building Your Advocacy Calendar
December: Coalitions
Why have coalitions? Where do we find coalitions?
– Brainstorm based on issue AND audience Political considerations
– Are their groups we don’t want to partner with? Identify coalition member strengths
– Message– Contacts– Advocates
Coalition member tasks: Being specific is critical
January: Legislator Outreach
Get to know new legislators and reconnect with the survivors
Ask them “who will handle library issues?”
Create a legislator profile Tune in to the State of the
Union
February: Follow the $$’s
Review ALA’s site for information on the U.S. budget
Be prepared to send letters / deliver personal stories on important fiscal priorities
March: Hone Your Message with the Message Formula
Hello, my name is [] and I’m from [] (establishes relevancy) I am here to talk to you about [policy / relationship ask] Knowing of your interest in [info about your audience] we think
you’ll be interested as well This is important to the people I represent because [personal
story] That’s why we really hope you’ll [ask] I’d like to follow-up by [follow-up ideas] Can I get contact information for all the appropriate people in
your office?
April: Media Messaging
Press releases Press conferences LTEs / Op Eds Editorial Boards Columns Events Local radio / TV
May: Get to Know the Staff
Talk to the Right Person Remember, Your Issue Is
One of Many Staff Contact Has
Advantages Over Member Contact
Institutional Memory in an Elected Official’s Office Can Be Short
Expect (and Appreciate) Youth
June: Make a Relationship Building Ask
District Visit Statement in Congressional
Record Local (District or State)
meeting Newsletter Article Website statement / photos Helping out with case work
July: Web 2.0 Outreach
August: Site Visits
Decide who to invite– Don’t Forget Staff– Potential Pitfalls
Decide what to show them: You’ll be surprised at what interested them
The invitation process Who should attend on your
end (“real” people) Logistics, logistics, logistics Recording the event
September: Election Strategies
Why: Getting like minded people out to vote will only help your cause.
Your role: Provide resources like:– Flyers – Business cards– Online and voice mail greetings
The message? Go to www.rockthevote.org
October: Townhalls
What is a “townhall?”– Working with legislator– Independent
How do they take place?
– In-person– Virtual– Telephone
How do you do it?
November: Vote! Early and Often
Throughout the Year
The Five Minute Action Plan
How are you going to use this information at home? Write down three things you’re going to do to advocate for improved library policies.
Contact Information
Kristin Murphy, ALA Washington Office– [email protected]– Washington Office Line:
(202) 628-8410 (800) 941-8478 (for the cash strapped among us)
– www.ala.org Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru
– [email protected]– (202) 349-1036– www.advocacyguru.com