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AIHEC 2019 LEGISLATIVE SUMMITWASHINGTON, DC

ADVOCACY WEBINARJANUARY 23 & 24, 2019

PRESENTERS:

Carrie Billy & Patrese Atine, AIHEC

Ellen Fern, Bose Public Affairs

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WEBINAR PROTOCOL

• Noise: Please mute phones and microphones

• Questions:• Q&A time will follow presentation; OR

• You can type questions in the chat box on your screen anytime.

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WEBINAR AGENDA:

What’s on the Legislative Summit Schedule? What’s Happening in D.C.?

“Advocacy”: What’s That?

Why Visit Capitol Hill? What is OUR Message?

What are Hill Meetings like? How Can I be Successful?

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AIHEC 2019Legislative

Summit Schedule

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Legislative Summit Host Hotel

Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol550 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20024202-479-4000

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What’s Happening in DC?

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THE 116TH CONGRESS (1ST SESSION)

New Congress: Jan. 2019

Major Change in Dynamics:

Democrats control House

Republicans control Senate

(& White House)

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Federal Shutdown Longest in History: Most Likely Will Extend into Your Visit (Days 45-49)

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THE 116TH CONGRESS (1ST SESSION)

House Leadership = Dem Flip235 Democrats (flipped 43 seats):

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)199 Republicans:

Min. Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

First Native American Women elected to House: Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) and Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS)

Many Historic Firsts: Most Diverse Incoming Freshman Class

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THE 116TH CONGRESS (1ST SESSION)

Senate Leadership = Similar to 115th• 53 Republicans:

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)Senator John Thune (R-SD): New Majority Whip

New Senators: Hon. Kevin Cramer (R-ND);

Hon. Martha McSally (R-AZ)

• 47 Dems/Independents:

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

New Senator: Senator Kristen Sinema (D-AZ)

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PRESIDENT TRUMP & THE 116TH CONGRESS (1ST SESSION)

Key Issues for Congress & Administration:• Federal Spending: Finishing FY2019 funding; beginning FY2020 appropriations process.

Need new budget deal OR Budget Caps Will be BACK

• Immigration reform and “The Wall”

• Higher Education Act (HEA) Reauthorization

• Possible Infrastructure Bill

• Farm Bill Implementation

Partisanship dynamic continues with 2020 presidential election already approaching

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Advocacy -- What’s That? …And Why?

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SHARING OUR VISION & GOALS: EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY

• Advocacy is organized action in support of an idea or cause

• Advocacy is constituents educating and sharing perspectives with elected officials on important issues

• Advocacy is establishing ongoing and trusting relationships

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5 REASONS FOR HILL VISITS:

1. Relationship: Develop ongoing relationships with your Members and their staffs

2. Inform & Educate: Inform/educate Congressional offices and Committee staff of TCU mission and impact – especially newMembers and staff

3. Connection: Connect TCUs to national goals: improving the economy, creating jobs, and strengthening communities

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5 REASONS FOR HILL VISITS:

4. Value: Share the positive impact of programs Congress creates and funds on TCU students and communities in their districts/states

5. Resource: Congress likes to connect with success and expertise: Position yourself as a ‘go-to’ resource on AI/AN and higher education issues

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Now You Know the Lay of the Land.You Know What Advocacy is.You Know Why we Go to the Hill, so….

What’s OUR Message?

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Strong sovereign Tribal Nations through excellence in

TRIBAL higher education

Vision for the Movement:advancing students + advancing tribal nations

1. SAVE THE ED‐STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONS PROGRAM: 2 “Parts”(Part A & Part F) ‐ Losing “Part F” will cut our program in half!

• Funding for half of the Dept. of Education’s “Strengthening Institutions program” for Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) expires this year. 

• The TCU program is a proven investment in truly developing institutions.

• Any cut will hit TCUs hardest of all MSIs. Cutting the program in half will be catastrophic for TCUs, our communities, and our entire state.

• State Impact Info Sheet is included in the packet. 

OUR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS: Top Issue

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1.  ED‐STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONS‐PART F (continued)

Reauthorize the Strengthening Institutions–Part F Program and Fund it in FY2020 and beyond: • $30M needed for Part F annually• Speak to Authorizing Committees and Appropriation Sub‐Committee 

Leadership ASAP

Contact Senator Doug Jones (D‐AL) to support his draft bill to save the Strengthening Institutions‐Part F program for MSIs

OUR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS: The Top “Ask”

2. APPROPRIATIONS:  FY2019: End the shutdown; Finish FY2019 appropriations; and PROTECT 

TCU funding levels. 

FY2020: Support Vital TCU Funding Requests and Share Your Support with Appropriation Leadership  (See Packet)

3. Please Review and Support Programs Included in Packet: Higher Education Act & TCU Act Reauthorization TCU Inclusion in E‐rate Program TCU Vital Facilities Program (Infrastructure Initiative)

OUR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS:… Additional Asks

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What is a Hill Meeting Like?

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SCHEDULING HILL MEETINGS

• AIHEC/Bose Public Affairs will schedule all Congressional delegation/committee meetings for you and staff your meetings. (Tuesday & Wednesday, Feb. 5-6)

• PLEASE DO NOT schedule individual Hill meetings during this week. All TCUs will have at least three Hill meetings.

• Names and titles: We need the names and titles (president, board member, student, etc.) of all attendees. Register all participants from your TCUs online at: www.aihec.org.

• Be flexible! Hill offices often confirm meeting times late AND last minute changes are very possible.

• Hill meeting schedule: Final meeting schedules will be distributed during the briefing session on Monday, Feb. 4.

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WHAT TO EXPECT: PRACTICAL INFO

Allow Enough Time: Security lines into Hill buildings can be

long (security is similar to airports, except for shoes)

Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol is within walking distance of

most Hill offices (except when it’s cold, raining, really early):

• ≈ 15 minutes to House buildings

• ≈ 20-25 minutes to Senate buildings

• Take a cab/Lyft/Uber

Capitol Hill is a high security area: Metal detectors required to

enter buildings; Very serious armed police everywhere.

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WHAT TO EXPECT IN A HILL VISIT

With whom will you meet?

• Member may attend, professional staff are definite

• Staff may know little about TCUs – be prepared to educate

• Meeting locations vary: reception area, hallway, conference room, basement, and cafeteria (in House, space is very limited)

• Meetings are short:15 and 30 minutes

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CONDUCTING YOUR HILL VISITS

Who Shares What Information?

MEETING LEADER (President) Introduces individuals in group Thanks Member for any past support (mention specifics) May offer a brief, new example of TCU success and impact on community

STUDENTS Brief personal success/impact story:

• Why you are attending a TCU • You only need 1 brief story (2-3 minutes, really!)

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YOUR STORIES: THINK ABOUT…STUDENTS – 2-3 minute story• What you are studying and WHY• What you will do with your degree and

who you will serve

MEETING LEADER (President)• Congress Must Save ED-Strengthening

Institutions-Part F! • Areas of need in community that TCU is

addressing (through ED-Strengthening Institutions program)

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CONDUCTING YOUR VISITS: THE ASKS Reauthorize the ED Strengthening Institutions–Part F Program and

Fund it in FY2020 and beyond

Contact Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) to support his draft bill

FY2019: End shutdown & finish FY19 appropriations; protect TCU funding

FY2020: Support TCU Funding Requests and Share Your Support with Appropriation Committee Chairs (See Packet)

Review and Support TCU Programs Included in Packet (HEA/TCU Act; E-rate; Facilities)

Invite the Member and staff to visit your campus

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HILL MEETING “LEAVE BEHINDS”: TCU FOLDERS

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A Few Secrets to Success

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FOR A SUCCESSFUL MEETING: DO• Cellphone: Mute phones & other electronics and put them away during meetings.

• Be on time, prepared, and flexible. Arrive 5-10 min before scheduled time.

• Say “thank you” for past support – be specific when possible (example: Farm Bill)

• Stay on message: Know your request for each meeting (the “Ask”) and stay focused on securing support

• Prepare and practice your 2-3-minute story and “ask” (students and presidents)

• Invite Member/staff to visit your campus.

• Follow-up: Send a thank you note soon after you return home.

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FOR A SUCCESSFUL MEETING: DO NOT• Don’t be late to meetings!

• Don’t start meeting early before everyone in your group has arrived

• Don’t express disappointment if the meeting is with staff only and the Member can’t join

• Don’t become argumentative: Be polite, positive, and productive

• Don’t use your phone: No talking, texting, or tweeting during meetings

• Don’t take pictures during meeting: Don’t even ask. Group photos w/Member are usually

available after the meeting

• Don’t bring food or drinks into the meeting: Do NOT eat during meeting

• Don’t assume staff know about TCUs and your unique challenges

• Don’t get off message or “chit-chat”

• Don’t forget to say ‘thank you’

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PREPARING FOR DCAppropriate Attire:

• Neat ‘business’ attire (no sweats - look professional, but don’t buy new clothes)• Wear comfortable flat shoes - lots of walking on marble floors!• Bring a warm coat - February is usually our coldest month

Prepare a 2-minute personal story:Students, explain:

• Why you attend your TCU and why your TCU is important to you/your family• What you are studying and why• What you will do with your degree – who you will serve

Presidents/Others, explain: • How your TCU is addressing community needs through ED Strengthening Institutions • Why your TCU is a good investment/vital to community (Return on Investment)• Share some of your challenges if ED Strengthening Institutions ends

Do your homework: • Use internet to learn about your Senators and Representative (Committee assignments!)• Prepare and bring your own TCU info-packet to share

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SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

AIHEC Social Media: • Instagram: aihec• Facebook: American Indian

Higher Education Consortium• Twitter: AIHEC

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#tribalcollegeweek #aihec

#aihec2019

#aiheclegsummit

PREPARING: BE SURE TO READ…

Tribal College Journal, Winter 2016 (Volume 28, No. 2)

• Storytelling on Capitol Hill: Recollections & Recommendations on Tribal College Week

• Advancing Tribal Students and Sovereign Nations: AIHEC’s Vision for the TCU Movement

• Washington Partners: How Relationships Shape Policy

• Sharing My Story

• Takin’ It to the Hill

• Takin’ It to the Hill: A Conversation with Jim Shanley

http://tribalcollegejournal.org/category/issues/28-2-takin-it-to-the-hill/

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QUESTIONS?

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FINALLY…• AIHEC will send PPT and 2019 Briefing Book, w/Schedule of

Events, to TCU group leaders to share with her/his participants

• If you have not: Go to www.AIHEC.org to register names and titles (president, student, faculty, etc.) of all participants coming to DC.

• We look forward to seeing you in DC

Thank You – Safe Travels!

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