Northeast Regional Committee Meeting

1. Welcome everyone! Please check your audio by going to: Tools>Audio>Audio Setup Wizard! Northeast Regional Committee Meeting January 19, 2012

2. Agenda – January 19, 2012 • Welcome and iNACOL updates • Program Committee report – Stan Freeda, Liz Glowa, co-chairs • Advocacy Committee report – Chris Harrington • Presentation – David Teeter, Director of Policy, iNACOL

3. iNACOL UPDATES – Rob Darrow, iNACOL • VSS 2012: October 21-24, 2012 in New Orleans. • iNacolCommittees Wiki - http://inacol.wikispaces.com/ • iNacol Forum - http://www.inacol.org/forum/

4. iNACOL UPDATES – Rob Darrow, iNACOL (p. 2) • iNacol Teacher Talk Webinar today at 6pm EST – Topic: “Online Breakout Rooms” - http://www.inacol.org/events/webinar/teacher_talk.php • Rob’s contact if you have other info to share: rob@onlinelearningvisions.com

5. iNACOL UPDATES

6. Committee Reports: Program Committee • February 16: • Advocacy Committee presentation on survey results. Open discussion of FY12 goals • March 15: • Next Gen Learning Coalition • April 19: • Blended Teaching panel discussion • May 17: • Advocacy Committee white paper discussion • June: • end-of-school virtual celebration?

7. Committee Reports: Advocacy Committee

8. Action Plan Champions needed to lead efforts in each state!

10. Northeast Regional Committee Featured Presentation: Advocacy 101: Insights on How to Effectively Approach Legislators and Policy Makers David Teeter, iNACOL Director of Policy

11. EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS: WHY IT MATTERS GENERAL INSIGHTS AND SUGGESTIONS SPECIFIC IDEAS ON WORKING WITH LEGISLATORS DISCUSSION

12. WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS: • K-12 Education is important to elected representatives • They need accurate information about digital learning • Media portrayals of online learning often inaccurate. • Advocacy is for students’ access to high quality online - you understand how it can empower student learning • So…….. • How can I help you be more effective in your work with legislators - what are some tips?

13. General Tips on working with elected officials • Understand your state’s legislative process/timetable • Timing Matters • Do your homework • Both sides of issues • Be concise and clear • Keep it simple • Look at the issue through eyes of official • Helps you be effective

14. 5 Tips from Representative Alicia Morgan, GA From 2011 iNACOL VSS Conference Session: • Build relationship with legislator. • Educate them on your issue BEFORE the session • Why is this important? • Keep it simple – be clear, concise • Use parents/students to help tell the story • Personal narratives help, esp. from constituents • Understand the world of legislators a bit • What issues are on their radar? • Is yours a key issue for them? How can you make it one? 5. Politics matters – understand it. It’s important reality

15. Working with Legislators: Relationship Building • Establish a relationship with your legislator early - They have time - They’re accessible and get to know you - Builds trust and credibility – personal relationship • Ways to get acquainted - Campaign support always helps - Write to them - Participate in events they attend. - Host a legislative luncheon/breakfast/event - Invite them to see your program/organization to amplify message • Demonstrate your interest in them and what they care about

16. Working with Legislators: Relationship Building • Effective Communicating: - KNOW your issue. Both sides. - Be clear and concise - Prepare one-pager with concepts they can walk away with • Keep it Simple.

17. Keep Legislators Informed • Include them in your newsletters, news releases • Send them letters on key issues or concerns • Occasional phone calls to office can help • Make sure your key messages are clear • Only a couple of sentences

18. Visiting Legislator’s Office • Be prepared and organized • Key points should be clear. Time is limited - Make sure they understand your “takeaway” - Be specific about what action you expect from them • Present the issue from THEIR perspective - How it will benefit their district - Costs of not doing anything/supporting position - Who opposition is. Their stance. • Be prepared to answer questions

19. Visiting Legislator’s Office (cont.) • Give them formatted 1-pager on issue. Include: • What you are asking for • Details (Any critical details and information they need) • Be courteous and friendly to staff, assistants • They may be gatekeepers AND can be key points of contact • Leave follow up contact info with them • Be sure to send a thank you note thanking them

20. When legislature is in Session • Understand the Legislative Session timetables and deadlines • Being clear, concise, organized - pressures are intense during session - Come with specific solutions, specific actions • It’s all about priorities – limited time, pressures • "Everything is a matter of priorities. You have limited amounts of time; you have to convince [legislative staff] that whatever your particular issue is, it's so important that they have to make it a priority." If you have done your homework, built a relationship, a coalition and are concise and clear, they will listen

21. Tip - Be Part of an Organized Coalition • This is one of the key ways to make it a priority for legislators • Same rules on “keep it simple,” concise, organized, knowing issue from legislators point of view. • AND legislative strategy becomes more important. Knowing makeup of the legislature, developing overall narrative and powerful voices and narratives to leave legislators and committees with key messages and a compelling personal story.

22. iNACOL Resources to help you • Member network: Our 4000 members and our committees are a huge part of our Legislative Education Efforts • iNACOL website resources and publications to inform, educate • Access to people, experts to help you • Legislative Frameworks work to help state legislators and ALSO members

24. THANK YOU!! My contact information: David Teeter dteeter@inacol.org