Advocacy in the FFELP

1. Advocacy in the FFELP Will Shaffner Director Business Development The Higher Education Loan Authority for the State of Missouri (MOHELA) MASFAP Conference November 2007 Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

2. What is Advocacy • Standard definition of Advocate: • “…To plead in favor of…” • Advocacy then: • “…Is the process of pleading in favor of…” Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

3. Advocacy vs. Lobbying • Lobbying • Usually involves attempting to influence legislation • Lobbyists are defined as individuals paid to communicate with federal public office holders in an attempt to influence government decisions • Consultant • In-house lobbyists (corporate) • In-house lobbyists (organizations) Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

4. Advocacy vs Lobbying • Advocacy • Covers a much broader range of activities that may or may not include lobbying • Is an effort to shape public perception or to affect change that may or may not require legislation Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

5. Advocacy vs Lobbying • Lobbying • Lobbying always involves advocacy • Advocacy • Does not necessarily involve lobbying Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

6. Should I Be An Advocate • You can make a difference • People working together can make a difference • People can change laws • Advocating is a democratic tradition • Advocating helps find real solutions Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

7. Should I Be An Advocate • Advocating is easy • Policymakers need your expertise • Advocacy helps people • The views of local entities (nonprofits) are important • Advocacy advances your cause and builds public trust Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

8. Advocacy Checklist • Developing an advocacy strategy • Identify issue • What is your concern • What is your problem • What is your focus • Set Goals • What is your objective • What is outcomes are acceptable • What alternatives are acceptable Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

9. Advocacy Checklist • Developing an advocacy strategy • Research and get facts • Facts make your argument more credible • Avoid anecdotes • Determine your target audiences • With whom are you trying to communicate • Elected officials • Public servants • Media • Public • Membership Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

10. Advocacy Checklist • Developing an advocacy strategy • Develop a formal position • Statements • Key messages • Brief or scientific papers • Develop tactical action plan • Timelines • Activities • Assignment of responsibilities Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

11. Advocacy Checklist • Developing an advocacy strategy • Communicate with your target audience • Inform target audience of your concerns • Establish communications • Begin to develop relationship • Consult your membership, as necessary • Continue to seek input from your membership/boss • Involve membership/boss in the process Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

12. Advocacy Checklist • Developing an advocacy strategy • Keep your membership/boss informed • Inform members/boss or progress along the way • Build coalitions • Look to develop relationships with organizations/departments of common interest • Share information or join in more formal coalitions Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

13. Advocacy Checklist • Developing an advocacy strategy • Review Campaign • Make adjustments where necessary • Feedback • Seek feedback from • members/boss/departments • Media • Public • Officials • Students • They can be good indicators of future success Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

14. Advocacy in the FFELP • Who would aid officers plead or advocate on behalf of? • Our Office • Our Profession • Our Institution • Our Families We Serve (Students/Parents) Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

15. Advocacy in the FFELP • Our Office • Supervisor (Enrollment Manager, etc) • Monthly reports • budget variances • statistics on performance • calls • applications processed • dollars disbursed • industry issues/trends • legislative • borrowing levels Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

16. Advocacy in the FFELP • Our Office • Supervisor (Enrollment Manager, etc) • Monthly Reports • anything that would be considered a surprise • staffing issues • processing delays • office needs • other items Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

17. Advocacy in the FFELP • Our Office • Faculty/Staff/Students • Faculty/staff communication/articles • did you know….? • newspapers/bulletin boards/lounges • Student communication/articles • timelines (application filing, system conversion) • required consumer information • student newspaper/bulletin boards • campus mail • student union Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

18. Advocacy in the FFELP • Our Profession • Guilty Until Proven Innocent • Behavior is Ethical • Communicate to Stakeholders Proactively Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

19. Advocacy in the FFELP • Our Institution • Understand institutional priorities, i.e. • Increasing enrollment • Change image • Add a new program/degree • Determine financial aid office role • Communicate via appropriate channels • PR/Legal/Legislative Affairs/Supervisor Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

20. Advocacy in the FFELP • Our Students/Parents/Families • Develop a strong relationship with: • Public Relations • Legal Affairs • Legislative Affairs • Get involved with FA Associations • Legal/Legislative Concerns Committees Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

21. Advocacy in the FFELP • Our Students/Parents/Families • Learn the Legislative Process • The Higher Education Act 1965 (HEA) • Reauthorization of the HEA (REA) • Negotiated Rule Making • Neg Reg – Negotiated Regulations • NPRM – Notice of Proposed Rule Making • Budget Reconciliation • PayGo Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

22. Advocacy in the FFELP • Our Students/Parents/Families • Learn who your elected officials are • Introduce yourself to the local offices • Introduce yourself to their DC staffers • Education issues • Communicate regularly • E-Mail • Phone • Mail • Web/Internet/blog Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

23. Advocacy in the FFELP • Our Students/Parents/Families • Mobilize constituents as needed • Communicate with students/families • Encourage letter writing campaigns • Create draft letters Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

24. Advocacy in the FFELP • Missouri’s History • Allan Purdy • Considered by many first FAO • Passion was obvious & contagious • Was an advocate for students • Personally • Helped facilitate students and jobs • Traveled to DC to educate Congress and fight for funding Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !

25. Advocacy in the FFELP • Thank you for your time • Additional Resources • Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest • http://www.clpi.org/Home_Final.aspx • Independent Sector • www.IndependentSector.org • Questions/Comments Fall 2007 MASFAP Conference Life begins at 40 !