Download - Civic Engagement: Effectively Advocate Your Needs

Civic Engagement How to Effectively Advocate Your Needs

Who is Katie Misukanis?

• Government Relations Director, Rasmussen College

• Current Chair of the Minnesota Career College Association and Wisconsin Council for Independent Education

• Former President of the Junior League of St. Paul and Visitation Alumnae Association

• Working on Masters in Public Administration

• Importance of Building Relationships with Elected Officials

• Who is Who in Government • How the Government Goes About Its work • How to Find my Representatives • How to Contact Them and Form Relationships • Questions

Agenda

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Got a Question? Just Ask!

• Importance of these relationships is illustrated by two simple principles: 1. Make friends before you need them. 2. The world is run by those who show up.

• Be a credible source of information. • Have input in the decision making. • Have an ally when supporting or opposing legislation. • Be part of a representative government by engaging purposeful

conversation with elected officials. • Gain confidence advocating in a group setting.

Building Relationships With Elected Officials

• There are local, state and federal elections. All take place based on terms.

• Elections take place on the second Tuesday in November.

• Elections are based on geographical boundaries.

• There are general thresholds and criteria set up for who can run for office.

Government 101

• City Council and Mayoral positions • County Commissioners • School Board positions • Local Boards and

Commissions

Local Government

Example of a state legislature: • Minnesota Senate

67 members – one from each legislative district. Elected to four year terms.

• Minnesota House 134 members – two from each legislative district. Elected to two year terms.

State Legislature

• There are 100 Senators – two for each state; all with six year terms.

• There are currently 435 Representatives – based on census data taken every 10 years, with two year terms. Districts can change in size and geography.

• There are three branches of government at the federal level; executive, legislative and judicial.

Federal Government

• The mayor and city council are generally broken into committees to address the needs of the community.

• The county operates much like the city with committees, but it has more focus on some of the human services piece.

• Each entity works off a budget that is made from the fees and taxes at a local level.

Local Cycles

• The states generally are on biennial sessions starting with a

budget; one exception is North Dakota. • Each of the two years in the biennium has a regular session that

can vary in length. • There is a temporary adjournment between the sessions. • Bills which did not pass during the first session can be acted on in

the consequent sessions. • The state must balance the budget every two years.

State Legislative Session

• The Governor can call the Legislature into a special session at anytime.

• This power is limited to the Governor. • Once in special session, the Governor has no power to limit the

length or scope of the session.

State Special Sessions

• House and Senate both have standing committees chaired by a member of the ranking party.

• The U.S. Congress does not have to balance its budget. • Each body must hear the same bill, pass it and then it goes on to

the President to be signed.

Federal Government Cycle

• Individuals, public interest groups and agencies suggest laws to transform their needs into law.

• The group will find a sponsor and author for the bill. • It will then have a hearing in front of the appropriate committee. It may

take several paths through a variety of other committees. • A conference committee will take up final bills, and if approved, will

head to floor votes. • If approved, the bill will head to the Governor or President.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

How Do I Find My Local Officials?

• Go to your town or cities’ website and look for “government.” • Go to your counties’ website and look for “government.” • Each website should have a map listing your councilmember’s contact

information. Meeting times should also be posted.

Example 1: Minnesota • Go to leg.state.mn.us/. • Bottom, center of the page, you will see

“Who Represents Me?” • Enter your address in the box as shown in

the example and click on search. • You will get the contact information for

your State Representative, State Senator, U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator.

How Do I Find My Legislator?

http://www.leg.state.mn.us/

Example 2: Florida • Go to myflorida.com/. • Middle, right you will see “Find My

Legislator?” • Enter your address in the box as shown in

the example and click on search. • You will get the contact information for

your State Representative, State Senator, U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator.

How Do I Find My Legislator?

http://www.myflorida.com/

• Go to leg.state.mn.us/. • In the middle column, click on “Bill Search and

Status”. • The next screen gives you several choices for

either Senate or House. • You can search by bill number, author, topic or

committee. • Once you get to a specific bill, click on House or

Senate. • Go to Recorded House Roll Call floor votes. • Any actual votes will be listed in the far right

column.

How Do I Find My Legislator’s Voting Record?

http://www.leg.state.mn.us/

• Letter • Email • Phone call • Personal visit

How do I Contact my Legislator?

How to Effectively Communicate With Your Legislator • Be brief but informative by stating your purpose in the first sentence. • Identify any legislation by bill number or authors. • Tell a story about how this issue affects real people. • Try to include local data to support your position. • Whether writing a letter or email, spell check and use other tools to make it a

professional document. • Understand phone calls are taken by staff members. Ask to speak with the staff

member who handles your issue. • Identify yourself as a constituent and explain as specifically as possible the message

you want them to give to your legislator. • Calls come in constantly, and they have limited time. • Be prepared to testify if the opportunity arrives.

• State and Local Chambers • Rotary Clubs • Economic Development Committees • Trade Associations • Coalition Building • Internal Government Relations Individuals • Grassroots Efforts • Contract Lobbyists

Unique Ways to Interact With Elected Officials

• Maintain Contact. – Keep your legislators informed of your concerns on pending legislation. – Offer to provide additional information on key issues. – Continue to visit his or her local office when possible and leave a

“standing” invitation to visit your organization or business. • Track Committee Activity and Votes.

– Update any changes in committee assignments. – Be ready to activate students, faculty and staff if need arises. – Use additional websites such as minnesotavotes.org or those in your state

to track legislation and voting records.

How to Establish a Positive Relationship With Your Legislature

• All of us, amateur or professional, have the ability to influence legislation and the decisions of the government.

• Thank you for using your voice!

We All Have a Voice