Advocacy in Action - How PTAs Can Affect Change 1
2 Washington State PTA 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.
3 WSPTA Accomplishes This By: Speaking on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other 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.
4 Policy Platform: From our Mission and our Members “Permanent” Legislative principles Resolutions: “Whereas… Resolved…” Typically 1-2 years Short-term platform 5 priority and “also supported” issues Board positions: “Whereas…Resolved…”
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WSPTA BOARD POSITIONS AND RESOLUTIONS 8
WSPTA BOARD POSITIONS AND RESOLUTIONS 9
10 Speaking Up To Make A Change 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? Classroom School City County State Federal
11 Speaking Up To Make A Change Case Study - Northshore
12 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
13 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
14 WSPTA Resources 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
15 Take action to give every child one voice 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
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17 WSPTA Resources 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 - ???
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19 EXTRA SLIDES
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22 What Is The Difference Between Advocacy And Lobbying? 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”
23 Advocacy Or Lobbying: What Can I Do? 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)
24 What Can I Do? 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 or other campaigns
25 Lobbying As A Nonprofit 501(c)(3) CAN DO CAN’T DO Engage in limited lobbying Lobbying cannot be a Educate substantial part of the Express opinions business of your PTA Criticize (ideas, not people) Cannot support/oppose Conduct GOTV campaigns, candidates voter registration Take positions on initiatives Abuse your role Other resources: Speak for PTA Bolder Advocacy: Alliance for Justice at www.afj.org
26 Local Advocacy Example: Safe Routes to Schools LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLE Safe And Nurturing Environments For Children And Youth: TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
27 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.
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