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Communicating With Congress

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Today’s Moderator

Nadia Egziabher Child Nutrition and Policy Coordinator School Nutrition Association

Questions & Answers

• Type your questions into

the “Question” box at any time during the webinar

• Questions will be

addressed during the webinar and at the end as time allows

Today’s Panelists

Cathy Schuchart

Staff Vice President of Child Nutrition and Policy School Nutrition Association

Wendy Weyer

Director of Nutrition Services Seattle School District

Cindy Brooks

School Nutrition Director Seymour School District

Cathy Schuchart

Senior Vice President of Child Nutrition and Policy School Nutrition Association

Composition of Congress

 Branches  Composition  Terms  The Beltway  Civic Responsibility

How A Bill Becomes A Law

Who is responsible for Child Nutrition bills in Congress?

Committees

‐ House ‐ Senate

Future Legislation

Healthy Hunger‐Free Kids Act

Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2015

 Child Nutrition – Five Year Reauthorization Cycle.  Timelines of Reauthorizations can be at the mercy

• f other factors – budget battles, natural disasters,

etc.

 The sooner SNA starts work on gathering

information, meeting with Members of Congress and Staff, and shoring up Allies, the better.

 Focus on positive, simple, and rational messaging

and positions.

SNA Advocacy Resources

Visiting With Your Members

 Simple and consistent  Share the moment  Stay involved in the

conversation

 Study lobbying tips  Stay calm and bi‐partisan  Follow‐up

SNA Congressional Hill Briefing

Visiting With Your Members’ Staff

Thank You Notes

Send to the person you met with:

 Thank them for meeting with you  Recap the highlights of the meeting  Confirm that you will follow up on information they

requested

 Include your contact information

The Responsibilities of Democracy

 The power of “one”  Speak for those who cannot  Be a champion for change

“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” Thomas Jefferson

Cindy Brooks

School Nutrition Director Seymour School District

Why Site Visits Are Important

Great way to inform and highlight the great things you are doing. Gives legislators a first‐hand view of how the government is supporting children through the school meal programs. It gives legislators an opportunity to see programs in action.

Where to Start

 First, determine what type of site visit

you would like to have. Breakfast in the Classroom, Lunch with Students in the cafeteria, or perhaps Summer Feeding in a park.

 Call your legislator and arrange an

appointment for a site visit. They are always happy to be in their district to see what is happening back home.

 Be flexible with the date.  Use the SNA Tool Kit

Confirmation of Visit

Arrange for a team of folks to be on the tour.

• Superintendent of Schools
• School Principal
• Board Members
• Advocacy Group
• Mayor or town leader.

Notify local media outlets. Notify your staff.

The Big Day

You take the lead in

the tour. This is your program.

Be Positive Highlight the

wonderful things you are doing.

Get Students Involved.

• Rep. Esty (CT-05)

The Big Day

 Provide a packet of

information.

 After the tour create

an informal setting for discussion.

 Remember to thank

the legislator for their time at the end

• f the visit and by

mail.

• Rep. Courtney (CT-02)

Congresswoman DeLauro’s Visit

 Flexibility in dates was key.  Tour consisted of the back

• f the house including

HACCP information and storage or lack thereof.

 Lunch with the students &

Q/A from them.

 Time for discussion.

• Rep. DeLauro (CT-03)

Summary

Wendy Weyer

Director of Nutrition Services Seattle School District

Advocacy and the Future of Child Nutrition Programs

SNA’s Legislative Successes TEAM effort!

 Careful strategies – short term & long term  Core Team

 Legislative & Lobbying

Counsel

 SNA Legislative Staff  PPL Committee  SNA PAC  Members!!

Federal Advocacy

 Grassroots effort never rests…

 Share local stories with Members of Congress

 Successes  Challenges  Solutions

 Regulatory  Legislative

Legislative Action Conference

 March 1‐4, 2015  Charge to the Hill

 Tuesday, March 3rd

Position Paper

 Drafted annually

 PPL Committee  Top association priorities

requesting legislative or regulatory action  Approved by SNA Board

Drafting the 2015 Position Paper

 PPL Committee Meeting December 4th & 5th

Committee includes …

 Regional Representatives  Member at Large  Major City Director representative  State Agency Director representative  SNA Legislative staff  Barnes & Thornburg staff

Drafting the 2015 Position Paper

 Prior to the

meeting, Regional Representatives contact each of their states for input on top priorities areas.

November 13, 2014

Dear SNA Member, On December 4‐5, the SNA Public Policy and Legislation Committee (PPL) will meet to draft the Association’s 2015 Position Paper. The Position Paper reflects the Association's top legislative priorities and will serve as the roadmap for SNA's 2015 Child Nutrition Reauthorization efforts. SNA and members will advocate for these positions to Congress, USDA and the Administration during the 2015 Legislative Action Conference's (LAC) Charge to the Hill and throughout the reauthorization process. To better ensure your voice is heard, we are asking for your feedback on the top issues your school nutrition program(s) are facing or you expect to be facing in the coming year. Click here to provide your feedback. Please respond by Wednesday, November 26, 2014. The PPL will review your responses and discuss as they draft SNA’s 2015 Position Paper. If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Schuchart at cschuchart@schoolnutrition.org. Thank you in advance for your input.

Survey sent to all members Nov. 13th

2015 Position Paper

 Utilizing the feedback provided by the survey

and input from regions, the committee priorities the top issues

 Much debate

 Must prioritize  All opinions valued  Clear & Concise  Timely

Position Paper

 Once voted on by the SNA

Board, the Position Paper is distributed to SNA members in advance of annual Legislative Action Conference (March)

 Talking Points developed

to help tell the story and provide necessary background.

Questions

Thank You

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