Module 8: Legislative Advocacy
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
What you will learn:
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Legislative Advocacy and Conservation Districts
Not only are Conservation Districts an arm of state government, they also act as advocates for their communities in the political arena. Most, if not all, natural resource management is controlled through policy. Legislation attempts to remedy resource problems and allocate funding to solutions.
Agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fish & Wildlife Service, Army Corps, Environmental Protection Agency and more address resource concern on a federal level.
At a state level there are several commissions and departments, including the GSWCC, and GA Department of Agriculture.
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Legislative Advocacy and Conservation Districts
Districts are the voice of conservation at the local level and are essential to making sure voices are heard on a higher level.
District Supervisors and GACD staff are not lobbyists, just advocates, and constituents spreading the message of WHY conservation districts are important.
NO!
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Monitoring Issues and When to Take Action
Supervisors need to be informed with what their communities are struggling with and which programs are helping. They also need to be in the loop with legislation that is on the horizon by following media sources, their local elected officials, and communicating with other local groups.
Relationships with local elected officials are crucial. We recommend meeting with them on a regular basis to maintain open channels of communication. That way, when it comes time to advocate for or against policies and programs they will know who you are and listen to what you have to say.
Policies that relate to soil, erosion, water sources, agriculture practices, wildlife management practices and any other natural resource/conservation matter should be brought to district attention. Action is warranted if the proposed policy would harm their community, or if it would help.
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Georgia Legislative Process
It is important to understand the legislative process relating to districts.
In Georgia, legislators work to pass bills (the detailed process can be found here: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/about).
There are two key dates you should know: Crossover Day, and the 40th and final legislative day, known as Sine Die.
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Georgia Legislative Process: Budget
“Each year, two appropriations bills are passed through the General Assembly and then signed by the Governor. The first to be passed is the budget for the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY). This adjusts the current fiscal year’s budget, accounting for changes in school enrollment and other unanticipated needs. The other appropriations bill is the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY), which begins on July 1 and ends June 30 of the next calendar year.”
The seven phases of budget approval can be found here https://opb.georgia.gov/budget-information/budget-process
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
GACD’s State Legislative Advocacy efforts
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
See the chart to the right that explains how GSWCC, GACD and Districts are currently funded.
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Federal Legislative Process
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Procedures for Advocacy
Once the district has decided an issue or need should be acted upon, there are options for how to proceed (GACD maintains an Elected Official contact list if needed):
-Letters: letters are formal and meaningful. They should be written properly and on district letterhead and a follow up call or email asking if they received it and have questions ensure this methods effectiveness
-Email: emails deliver the message quickly, but can also be forgotten, so mailing a letter or calling should be paired with this
-Phone Call: calls are an effective way to get attention because they cannot be ignored. If you cannot speak with an official the first time, call back regularly or ask their staff to schedule a time when they will speak to you
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Procedures Continued:
-Face to Face: work with legislators in your area to meet in person and explain your stance. Sometimes contacting their staff person, whose email address can be found online, is the best way.
-Media Attention: media is a powerful tool for reaching a broad audience. GACD can help contact these outlets on a larger scale.
-All of the Above: if an issue is urgent or extremely important, try using all of these methods combined. Remember to be to the point and fully educated on the subject.
The more people taking action, the more likely legislators are to listen because they value what the majority of their constituents say. In other words, there is power in numbers! Send your message out to your communities so they can advocate as well.
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Procedures Continued:
Local Level: You, the district, are the voice of conservation at the local level in your county, hearing concerns of the public and advocating for them via the methods provided.
State Level: If there is something going on statewide districts should work together in order to be more effective. GACD coordinates these efforts, along with general efforts for bringing districts attention, such as our annual Conservation District Day at the Capitol.
Federal Level: If your district wishes to be vocal on something that will impact the state or their community, GACD can work with other partners like NRCS and NACD to identify proper courses of action.
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Communication Tips:
How to influence your elected officials:� -Provide consistently reliable information� -Present a concise argument� -Holding a face‐to‐face meeting� -Have them see you as an EXPERT on natural resources stewardship� -Present reliable and recent data
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Communication Tips:�You and your materials should be accurate, concise, specific��• Avoid lengthy text - bullet point your argument into easy to read statements�• Triple check your grammar, stats, and spelling. Nothing will torpedo a good argument faster than careless errors�• Front load the ask. The legislator should understand the main concept within the first few sentences �
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Communication Tips:�-Be punctual ‐‐ and be patient!
� -Make it relevant - always explain how the state issue impacts what’s going on back home.
-If you don’t know the answer to a question, say you don’t know and get back to the legislator or staff within a few days.
�-NEVER offer to make a political contribution or pledge of political support! ��-Don’t look at your phone. Silence it!������������Reminders, continued:���� Make the ask! Be clear and concise, and ask who the correct staff person is for follow up��� Don’t use acronyms or terms that someone outside of your profession won’t understand��� Thank the legislator and offer to serve as a resource on other water or construction related issues�� After the visit, write a thank you email or personal note
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Utilizing Social Media
For many members of Congress, social media is a critical tool for communicating quickly and and easily with constituents. Don't underestimate the value of online relationships and banter. Although it may feel frivolous or unnecessary, posting a photo with a tagged thank you message on Facebook is a quick, but effective form of follow up.
�• Find your State Senators and Representatives’ official page on social media and start following them�• Tag your posts across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
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Utilizing Social Media
Arrange a meeting in your Elected Official member’s district office or invite them to an outreach event. Be sure to take a picture and thank them for coming-- Post on social media!���
Utilizing Social Media
When you tag your Elected Officials on social media, you may get a response back which is great publicity for your District as seen
from the
shoutout from
Senator Tyler
Harper!
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Advocacy Examples:
Local: Supervisors can and should attend Local Work Group (LWG) meetings to help allocate program funds based off of community needs. Supervisors should also develop a relationship with their county government officials and educate them in hopes to receive local government funding- set up face to face meetings and presentations.
State: GACD has been coordinating efforts to get supervisors face to face with legislators to discuss the district funding crisis. GACD prepares a Legislative Ask document, provides instruction and works to educated legislators on who the districts are and why we need state funding.
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Examples Continued:
Federal: GACD works with partners to be involved in Farm Bill recommendations to benefit the state and its programs, and is working with National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) to become involved in sign-on letters which advocate for matters that trickle down to state and local levels
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
Ultimate Goals of Continued Advocacy Efforts
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
District Supervisor’s Can Start Right Now
1) Monitor State Bills that would affect conservation districts.
2) Start an initiative to keep legislators and local elected officials aware of conservation efforts in the districts and state that benefit all constituents.
3) Invite legislators and local elected officials to District meetings, at least two the three times per year.
4) Request/invite Legislators be a speaker at local district, GACD Group Trainings and participate in GACD Annual Meeting.
5) Local districts need to involve local media in educating clientele of district conservation events and projects going on and how these projects benefit the area.
GACD – Representing and advocating for Conservation Districts throughout Georgia
How District Supervisors Can Be Involved
Only YOU can help bring change.
�Be active in GACD’s Policy Initiatives.
Attend the annual Conservation District Day at the Capitol.
Get to know your elected officials and educate them on the value of Conservation Districts.