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Advocacy in the FFELP

Will Shaffner

Director Business Development

The Higher Education Loan Authority for the State of Missouri (MOHELA)

MASFAP Conference

November 2007

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What is Advocacy

• Standard definition of Advocate:• “…To plead in favor of…”

• Advocacy then:• “…Is the process of pleading in favor of…”

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Advocacy vs. Lobbying

• Lobbying – Usually involves attempting to influence

legislation– Lobbyists are defined as individuals paid to

communicate with federal public office holders in an attempt to influence government decisions

• Consultant• In-house lobbyists (corporate)• In-house lobbyists (organizations)

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Advocacy vs Lobbying

• Advocacy– Covers a much broader range of activities that

may or may not include lobbying– Is an effort to shape public perception or to

affect change that may or may not require legislation

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Advocacy vs Lobbying

• Lobbying

– Lobbying always involves advocacy

• Advocacy

– Does not necessarily involve lobbying

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Should I Be An Advocate

• You can make a difference

• People working together can make a difference

• People can change laws

• Advocating is a democratic tradition

• Advocating helps find real solutions

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Should I Be An Advocate

• Advocating is easy

• Policymakers need your expertise

• Advocacy helps people

• The views of local entities (nonprofits) are important

• Advocacy advances your cause and builds public trust

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Advocacy Checklist

• Developing an advocacy strategy– Identify issue

• What is your concern• What is your problem• What is your focus

– Set Goals• What is your objective• What is outcomes are acceptable• What alternatives are acceptable

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Advocacy Checklist

• Developing an advocacy strategy– Research and get facts

• Facts make your argument more credible• Avoid anecdotes

– Determine your target audiences • With whom are you trying to communicate

– Elected officials– Public servants– Media– Public– Membership

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Advocacy Checklist

• Developing an advocacy strategy– Develop a formal position

• Statements• Key messages• Brief or scientific papers

– Develop tactical action plan• Timelines• Activities• Assignment of responsibilities

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Advocacy Checklist

• Developing an advocacy strategy– Communicate with your target audience

• Inform target audience of your concerns• Establish communications• Begin to develop relationship

– Consult your membership, as necessary• Continue to seek input from your membership/boss• Involve membership/boss in the process

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Advocacy Checklist

• Developing an advocacy strategy– Keep your membership/boss informed

• Inform members/boss or progress along the way

– Build coalitions• Look to develop relationships with

organizations/departments of common interest• Share information or join in more formal coalitions

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Advocacy Checklist

• Developing an advocacy strategy– Review Campaign

• Make adjustments where necessary

– Feedback• Seek feedback from

– members/boss/departments– Media– Public– Officials– Students

– They can be good indicators of future success

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Who would aid officers plead or advocate on behalf of?

– Our Office– Our Profession– Our Institution– Our Families We Serve (Students/Parents)

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Our Office– Supervisor (Enrollment Manager, etc)

• Monthly reports– budget variances– statistics on performance

» calls» applications processed» dollars disbursed

– industry issues/trends» legislative» borrowing levels

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Our Office– Supervisor (Enrollment Manager, etc)

• Monthly Reports– anything that would be considered a surprise

» staffing issues» processing delays

– office needs– other items

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Our Office– Faculty/Staff/Students

• Faculty/staff communication/articles– did you know….?– newspapers/bulletin boards/lounges

• Student communication/articles– timelines (application filing, system conversion)– required consumer information– student newspaper/bulletin boards– campus mail– student union

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Our Profession– Guilty Until Proven Innocent – Behavior is Ethical– Communicate to Stakeholders Proactively

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Our Institution– Understand institutional priorities, i.e.

• Increasing enrollment• Change image• Add a new program/degree

– Determine financial aid office role• Communicate via appropriate channels• PR/Legal/Legislative Affairs/Supervisor

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Our Students/Parents/Families

– Develop a strong relationship with:• Public Relations • Legal Affairs• Legislative Affairs

– Get involved with FA Associations• Legal/Legislative Concerns Committees

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Our Students/Parents/Families– Learn the Legislative Process

• The Higher Education Act 1965 (HEA)• Reauthorization of the HEA (REA)• Negotiated Rule Making

– Neg Reg – Negotiated Regulations– NPRM – Notice of Proposed Rule Making

• Budget Reconciliation• PayGo

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Our Students/Parents/Families– Learn who your elected officials are

• Introduce yourself to the local offices• Introduce yourself to their DC staffers• Education issues

– Communicate regularly• E-Mail• Phone• Mail• Web/Internet/blog

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Our Students/Parents/Families– Mobilize constituents as needed

• Communicate with students/families• Encourage letter writing campaigns• Create draft letters

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Missouri’s History– Allan Purdy

• Considered by many first FAO• Passion was obvious & contagious• Was an advocate for students

– Personally– Helped facilitate students and jobs– Traveled to DC to educate Congress and fight for

funding

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Advocacy in the FFELP

• Thank you for your time

• Additional Resources– Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest

• http://www.clpi.org/Home_Final.aspx

– Independent Sector• www.IndependentSector.org

• Questions/Comments