1 of 21

��Making Meetings MeaningfulPersonalizing Your Advocacy Message”

Dr. Susan Pecinovsky

Dr. Elaine Bright - Smith

2 of 21

Outcomes for the Day

  • Increase the comfort level for us to contact and communicate with legislators
  • Learn how to establish the message to share on the Hill”
  • Develop a deeper understanding of the importance of advocating for what we believe needs to happen to improve education for ALL students

3 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful

  • Meeting Preparation
  • Support for Meeting
  • Materials

You will be ready for your On-the-Hill meetings!

4 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful �“On the Hill”

  • It’s just a conversation
  • You are the education expert!
  • Business cards
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Building security

5 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful

Personalizing your message:

  • Prioritize your issues
  • Provide local context and connection
  • Use Iowa ASCD resources
  • Personalize, practice, and perfect!

6 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Iowa ASCD Legislative Agenda

Foundation for Iowa ASCD’s Iowa policy asks!

Three Priority Issues

Recommendations:

Specific to each priority!

7 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Leave with Them!

Leave the Iowa ASCD Legislative Agenda with them!

Write a note later re-emphasizing the agenda and your ask!

Share your contact information!

8 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Personalize! Practice! Perfect!

Educator Advocates Message

Educator Advocates Message Development

9 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Personalize Your Message!

Step 1 - Issue: Select one of the 3 priorities on the Legislative Agenda!

      • Ensuring Equity
      • Promoting Excellence
      • Supporting Educators

10 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Personalize Your Message

Example: Use the Educator Advocates Message Development worksheet

Issue: Select one priority from Iowa ASCD’s Legislative Agenda to address

  • Ensuring Equity
  • Promoting Excellence
  • Supporting Educators

11 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Personalize Your Message

Step 2: Select one or two of the asks from the Legislative Agenda

12 of 21

Make Meetings Meaningful�Personalize Your Message

Step 3 - Importance: Think of an story/example that supports the recommendation.

  • Is there a single iconic example?
  • Impact on your audience
  • What problem are you solving?

13 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Personalize Your Message

Step 4 - Facts: Identify facts, evidence, or research that supports the recommendation.

    • Surveys
    • Annual reports
    • Funding info
    • Student data

14 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Personalize Your Message

Step 5 – Make it yours!

What is your ask?

What action do you want them to take?

15 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Personalize Your Message

Using your notes, transfer your information onto your Educator Advocates Message handout.

16 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Practice Your Delivery

  • Remember simplicity

get to the point, sum up your main point in ONE sentence, repeat several times.

  • Find the drama in

your story

  • Single iconic example, make it human, what problem are you solving?

  • Deliver authenticity

Nothing sells like the truth, be present, believe in the other’s point of view.

17 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Deliver Your Message

  • Dissolve barriers

Use clarifying questions, show authentic interest, explain the journey to your point, use eye contact.

  • Transfer emotion

Can you (your legislator) support this legislation (or remedy)

18 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Practice and Perfect Your Message

Delivery Checklist to provide feedback.

  • Message simply stated?
  • Drama in your story?
  • Message delivered with authenticity?
  • Barriers dissolved?
  • Confidence in the delivery?

19 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Perfect Your Message

As you listened, did you have any questions about their example, facts, and “the ask”?

Can you anticipate difficult questions or issues that may arise?

How would you address them?

20 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful�Taking Our Stories to the Hill

Advocating for Learning

  • Today’s schedule “On the Hill”
  • Transportation logistics
  • Security tips
  • Debriefing
  • Other

21 of 21

Making Meetings Meaningful

Any questions or concerns?

We will soon be on our way!