Legislative Advocacy. Bobbi Smith, WIU Katharine Gricevich, ISAC. March 18, Presented by:

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1 Legislative Advocacy Presented by: Bobbi Smith, WIU Katharine Gricevich, ISAC March 18, 2019

2 WHY ARE WE HERE? To be a proponent of access to students pursuing higher education. To collaborate with state agencies and other state/regional/national associations to provide advocacy opportunities for financial aid programs. To be a subject matter expert for legislatures. To encourage discussion and provide tools that will enable members to be engaged in the legislative process. To be a subject matter expert in legislative issues for staff ILASFAA Annual Conference 2

3 Why does Advocacy Matter? The majority of student aid is the product of (or is impacted by) the political environment. National politics State politics Institutional politics Understanding these basic concepts will help you anticipate change and possibly influence the process Cultivate relationships before they are needed! 2019 ILASFAA Annual Conference 3

4 Mobilizing the Grassroots... Build, Organize, Implement: All politics are local Elected officials are focused on their constituents What elected officials do or don t do is often a function of who has their attention ILASFAA Annual Conference 4

5 TAKING ACTION... Identify the issue(s): Why is it important? Who is affected by it? Identify the influencers: Who can help make changes? What is the best way to introduce yourself and develop a relationship? Why will they care what you think/know? Why is it important? What is your end goal? 2019 ILASFAA Annual Conference 5

6 BUILD... Grassroots organizing means: Participating and organizing Hill Days that include students, alumni, faculty and campus leadership, etc. Fact sheets, testimonial materials Other pertinent and salient information Participating in district office meetings. Hosting joint financial aid seminars. Hosting elected officials at your campus. Engaging elected officials as guest speakers ILASFAA Annual Conference 6

7 BUILD... Assisting elected officials with town hall and community events. Finding other unique touch points including quarterly newsletters and recognition events. Sign-up for elected/appointed officials monthly newsletters. Regularly check elected/appointed officials websites for events and opportunities. Find opportunities to network, such a K-20 councils, educational partnership events, Camber meetings, etc ILASFAA Annual Conference 7

8 ORGANIZE... Identify the appropriate member(s) to engage. Your delegation, committee chairs, appropriations, conference committee members, regulator? Identify your leader or campaign spokesperson. Identify your constituents Students, faculty, alumni, institutional support staff, etc ILASFAA Annual Conference 8

9 ORGANIZE... Most individuals won t take action unless approached more than once with compelling facts. Assume that potential participants are not fluent on the issue(s). Find an angle that motivates people. Call should be: Accurate Well crafted (written/spoken) Persuasive 2019 ILASFAA Annual Conference 9

10 ORGANIZE... Provide a wealth of knowledge in a condensed format. Explain why engagement is important and needed. Clearly identify what specific action you want Communicate Website (student portal, Action Center ) Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin) Calls/ s (current students, alumni) Campaign signage/collateral Via staff/faculty during scheduled classes 2019 ILASFAA Annual Conference 10

11 IMPLEMENT... Actions/expectations should be specific: Phone Tree (scripted vs free form): include calling members explaining position for or against a particular measure or to thank them. Letter Writing Campaign (original vs form): includes asking the grassroots participants to write letters to elected or appointed officials explaining a position for or against a particular measure or to thank them ILASFAA Annual Conference 11

12 IMPLEMENT... Face-to-Face Meetings (champions): includes organizing the grassroots to engage with elected officials and/or their staff in person at the state capital, at a district office location, town hall meeting, community function, etc. Provide participants with specific tasks and the resources needed to accomplish those tasks. Mobilize X number of students/faculty/alumni Participate in X number of editorial board meetings ILASFAA Annual Conference 12

13 Members Appreciate the Basics. Stay Student Focused: Speak to your students. Talk about the students at your campus, who they are and what is important to them. For Campus Tours: Highlight the best features of your campus by showing lawmakers and their staff your classrooms, labs and any other campus features that will wow them Find opportunities to stay in touch (graduation speaker, special guest for classes, etc.) For District Office Visits: Extend invitation to tour the local campus Find opportunities to stay in touch (graduation speaker, special guest for classes, etc.) Follow up with a personalized thank you ILASFAA Annual Conference 13

14 DO YOUR HOMEWORK... Understand both sides of the issue; know your facts. Know where you stand in terms of negotiations and compromise Be prepared to be counter-lobbied Research your opposition and elected officials position on the issue Electeds include the members that represent you, your campus, your students, alumni, etc.; House/Senate leadership; jurisdictional committees; appropriations; regulators, etc ILASFAA Annual Conference 14

15 YOU ARE THE EXPERT - SHARE! Pick your topic & voice your opinion Get to know your legislators & be in contact with them - phone, and visits. Join committees and organizations Respond to request from associations to write your legislators. Invite legislators to your campus. Write an article for the association newsletter. Get your students, alumni and faculty involved!: 2019 ILASFAA Annual Conference 15

16 OTHER INFLUENCES... Illinois Student Assistance Commission Hearings Requests for comments Illinois Board of Higher Education Special Interest Groups State Attorney General College President or Lobbyist Students and Alumni 2019 ILASFAA Annual Conference 16

17 ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES... Who represents me? US House of Representatives: house.gov US Senate: senate.gov Illinois State Legislature: ilga.gov Outisde resources: Congress: congress.org NASFAA: NASFAA.org MASFAA: MASFAA.org ILASFAA: ILASFAA.org 2019 ILASFAA Annual Conference 17

18 Hats Off to ILASFAA: Celebrating 50 Years QUESTIONS? 2019 ILASFAA Annual Conference 18

19 2019 ILASFAA Annual Conference 19