Advocacy in Action - How PTAs Can Affect Change 1 2 Washington - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Advocacy in Action - How PTAs Can Affect Change 1 2 Washington - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Aug 30, 2022 93 likes •381 views

Advocacy in Action - How PTAs Can Affect Change 1 2 Washington State PTA Vision: Making every childs potential a reality. Mission: PTA is a powerful voice for all children. PTA is a relevant resource for families, schools and

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Advocacy in Action - How PTAs Can Affect Change

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Vision:

Making every child’s potential a reality.

Mission:

– PTA is a powerful voice for all children. – PTA is a relevant resource for families, schools and communities. – PTA is a strong advocate for the well-being and education of all children.

Washington State PTA

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  • Speaking on behalf of children and youth in the schools,

in the community, and before governmental bodies and

  • ther organizations that make decisions affecting

children

  • Supporting parents* in developing skills to raise, protect

and advocate for their children

  • Encouraging parent*, teacher, student and community

involvement

  • Promoting opportunities for positive outcomes for children
  • Being a financially stable, well-managed organization that

promotes diversity, provides quality service, models best practices and values its members and employees

*”Parent“ may include adults who play an important role in the child’s family life.

WSPTA Accomplishes This By:

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“Permanent”

  • Legislative principles
  • Resolutions: “Whereas… Resolved…”

Typically 1-2 years

  • Short-term platform
  • 5 priority and “also supported” issues
  • Board positions: “Whereas…Resolved…”

Policy Platform: From

  • ur Mission and our Members
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WSPTA BOARD POSITIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

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WSPTA BOARD POSITIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

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Public policy advocates strive to make a difference by speaking out on policies and budgets that impact the people and issues they are concerned about.

Where does PTA speak up?

Speaking Up To Make A Change

Classroom School City County State Federal

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Speaking Up To Make A Change Case Study - Northshore

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Speaking Up To Make A Change Case Study - Northshore

September 14 – First FaceBook post in Dyslexia Support – Washington State closed FaceBook group September 16-24 – Emails with Northshore Council to plan testimony September 25 – School Board Meeting Northshore Council President uses the Council Report to the School Board to mention that October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and WSPTA has a Resolution about the 4Ds – gives Resolution to Board and Superintendent Two Northshore parents follow in public testimony to give some resources and information about dyslexia to the school board, letting them know that about 20%, or just over 4000 students in our district, likely have a language-processing disorder. https://livestream.com/nsd/boardmeeting/videos/163366412

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Speaking Up To Make A Change Case Study - Northshore

October 9 - School Board Meeting More parents testifying and more resources. The president of the teacher’s union was present, and offered to partner with the district to provide professional development to district teachers around dyslexia, the superintendent committed to using the resources to research best practices for curriculum, and the school board asked about universal screening of students. https://livestream.com/nsd/boardmeeting/videos/164092907 October 23 – School Board Meeting More parents and students testify about living with dyslexia https://livestream.com/nsd/boardmeeting/videos/164840977 November 13 – School Board Meeting Superintendent announces dyslexia expert coming on December 8 for professional development for instructional teams, and the creation of a new dyslexia committee with parents and staff to meeting starting in December https://www.nsd.org/Page/25299

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  • FOCUS AREA - ADVOCACY

www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/

  • Legislative Platform Handout
  • WSPTA Vision for Education System
  • 2017 End of Session Report
  • Links to Legislative Principles, Resolutions, and Advocacy

and Legislative Resources pages

  • WSPTA BLOG – www.wastatepta.org/blog/
  • LEADERSHIP GUIDES (password protected)
  • Advocacy Handbook
  • Taking Positions on Ballot Measures and More

WSPTA Resources

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WSPTA Action Alerts

  • Sign up for Action Alerts via Voter Voice
  • Promote Voter Voice sign-up and

participation at every meeting

  • Communicate Action Alerts through your

network (FB, email, newsletters) National PTA Action Alerts

  • Sign-up for National PTA Action Alerts at

www.pta.org

Take action to give every child one voice

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  • WSPTA Legislative Director

 Nancy Chamberlain ptalegdir@wastatepta.org

  • Region Legislative Chair (RLC6)

 Heidi Bennett heidi@bennettdirect.net

  • Shoreline Council Legislative Chair

 Suzanne Gugger shorelineptaleg@gmail.com

  • Local PTA Legislative Chair - ???

WSPTA Resources

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EXTRA SLIDES

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  • Advocacy = speaking up to educate, inform and/or

support

  • Lobbying = attempting to influence decisions of

legislators about a specific pending piece of legislation

  • Direct lobbying – communication directly with the legislator

regarding specific legislation

  • Grassroots lobbying – communication with the public that

includes a “call to action”

What Is The Difference Between Advocacy And Lobbying?

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Much of what we do in WSPTA is advocacy. You can advocate for (or on behalf of):

  • People (children, teachers, staff, families)
  • Programs (education, health, social

programs)

  • Issues (WSPTA Top 5, supported,

legislative principles, resolutions and those at National PTA or others that impact your community)

Advocacy Or Lobbying: What Can I Do?

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  • Exercise your civic rights
  • Advocate for WSPTA policies and priorities
  • Vote
  • Express your personal opinions on

campaigns/legislative issues. Talk to your friends and write letters to the editor. (You may not use a PTA title or resources in these communications)

  • Attempt to influence decision makers (lobby)
  • Contribute to campaigns
  • Volunteer for or manage campaigns.
  • Work on your school district levy/bond campaign
  • r other campaigns

What Can I Do?

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  • Engage in limited lobbying
  • Educate
  • Express opinions
  • Criticize (ideas, not people)
  • Conduct GOTV campaigns,

voter registration

  • Take positions on initiatives
  • Other resources:

Bolder Advocacy: Alliance for Justice at www.afj.org

Lobbying As A Nonprofit 501(c)(3)

  • Lobbying cannot be a

substantial part of the business of your PTA

  • Cannot support/oppose

candidates

  • Abuse your role
  • Speak for PTA

CAN DO CAN’T DO

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Local Advocacy Example: Safe Routes to Schools

LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLE Safe And Nurturing Environments For Children And Youth:

TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

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Advocacy Results – Local Levy for Sidewalks

Responding to the community’s needs

■City Council is focusing on streets and sidewalks because they are

urgent issues, with a real funding crisis ■Bothell families and businesses deserve improvements to roadways, sidewalks and safe routes to schools ■Public safety is part of this measure: for pedestrians, school kids, bikes and drivers, plus easier access for emergency vehicles.