nyspac fall conference october 23, 2010. agenda welcome and introductions nyspac update spring...
TRANSCRIPT
NYSPAC Fall Conference
October 23, 2010
Agenda
Welcome and Introductions NYSPAC Update Spring Conference 2010 Highlights Advocacy 101 Issues Presentations Guest Speaker: “State of the State” Delegate Votes Roles & Responsibilities / Next Steps
Welcome & Introductions
NYSPAC Board of Directors
Member League Introductions
NYSPAC Update
Who We Are & What We Do
Treasurer’s Report
Who We Are & What We Do Comprised of 18 Junior Leagues, representing more than
8,000 women from New York state. NYSPAC takes action on select state and national issues
that support its focus areas: Women & Health Children & Families
NYSPAC educates League members on issues selected for support, facilitates communication among the member leagues, provides training in advocacy skills and strategies, and acts as the representative body of the member Leagues at the state and national level.
Recent advocacy efforts include: Securing healthier food and beverage options for children
in NY schools Improving the lives of victims of domestic violence Addressing foster care issues for “ageing out” youth Securing anti-human trafficking
Current NYSPAC Member Leagues
Junior League of Binghamton
Junior League of Bronxville
Junior League of Brooklyn
Junior League of Buffalo Junior League of Central Westchester
Junior League of Kingston
Junior League of Long Island
Junior League of the City of New York
Junior League of Northern Westchester
Junior League of Orange County
Junior League of Pelham Junior League of Poughkeepsie
Junior League of Rochester
Junior League of Schenectady & Saratoga
Counties
Junior League of Syracuse
Junior League of Troy Junior League of Westchesteron Hudson
Junior League of Westchester on the Sound
Spring Conference 2010
Jill Bryson, Women & Health Task Force andTara Regan, Children & Families Task Force
Spring Conference 2010 Highlights One Voice. . .
9 Leagues 27 Delegates More than 40 Legislative
Appointments
One Bill Per Focus Area. . . Women & Health
Domestic Violence Children & Families
Childhood Nutrition
Spring Conference 2010 – Domestic
Violence Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVJSA) Draft legislation that would allow for judicial discretion with
respect to the sentencing of domestic violence victims convicted of crimes that are a direct result of their abuse
As the proposed bill was still in development, NYSPAC supported the issue by educating Legislators and increasing their awareness of the need for legislation to address this critical population
NYSPAC continued its ongoing partnership with the Women in Prison Project (WIPP) on the development of this proposed bill
Next steps: Expect bill to be formally introduced in January 2011 and
legislative hearing to be scheduled in early January WIPP expects the DVSJA to move quickly through committee review
and anticipates a floor vote during the spring 2011 Legislative Session.
Spring Conference 2010 - Childhood Nutrition
NYSPAC supported three bills addressing childhood nutrition: The Healthy Schools Act (Ass. Member Nolan, Sen.
Oppenheimer) To establish a wide range of health initiatives to prevent
childhood obesity, including healthy nutritional standards for food and beverages served in public schools Status: no votes for this bill in current legislative session
A7124/S1446 (Ass. Member Galef, Sen. LaValle) To amend public law regarding the sale, availability, and
distribution of healthy foods and beverages on school property and at school functions Status: no votes for this bill in current legislative session
The School Nutrition Act (Sen. Oppenheimer) To provide for the development and implementation of
statewide standards and a review of school wellness projects Status: no votes for this bill in current legislative session
Advocacy 101
Fiona Grant, Lisa Hofflich & Denise Murphy McGraw
Agenda
Definition: Advocacy How and Why NYSPAC Advocates Overview of NY State Structure How a Bill Becomes a Law NY State Government Timeline NYSPAC Legislative Wins
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy (noun): dates from the 15th century The act of pleading or arguing in favor
of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support of a cause or course of action.
Why Junior Leagues Advocate “Advocacy demonstrates the belief that
democracy works – that your voice can make a difference. When Junior League volunteers advocate on the behalf of the women and children that we serve, we not only give that community a voice, but a vibrant, passionate and articulate voice.”
- Saundra Smith, Past Communications Vice President New York Junior League
NYSPAC Advocacy: What, How? What
Serves as the body that researches, vets, selects and sets NYSPAC’s annual legislative advocacy agenda
Ensures that the annual legislative advocacy agenda is in line with NYSPAC Member League priorities
How NYSPAC looks to Member Leagues and their community
partners, State-wide community organizations, Legislators and Government agencies for ideas on which legislation to publicly support each year
NYSPAC typically supports at least one to two bills each year, developing NYSPAC Member-approved position statements for each bill and directly lobbying elected officials for their support
NYSPAC Advocacy: Goals
Build Relationships
Educate
Advocate
NYSPAC Advocacy: Tools Advocacy Day
State-wide representation Power of one voice at legislative meetings
Partnerships Teaming up with like-minded coalitions,
grass roots organizations and advocacy groups
JL Community Action Issue forums Relationship building Postcard and letter writing campaigns
NY State Structure
Lieutenant GovernorServes as President of the State Senate
Assumes the governorship in certain cases
State ComptrollerChief fiscal officer of the State
Head of the Department of Audit and Control
Attorney GeneralState's chief legal officer
Prosecution of all actions for or against the State
ExecutiveHeaded by Governor (consists of 20 departments)State's chief executive and Commander-in-Chief
Gov. is required by the Constitution to submit a yearly State Budget
LeadershipTemporary President (Majority Leader)
Minority LeaderSenate Finance Committee Chair
Senate62 Members
2-year term (elected even # yrs)
LeadershipAssembly Speaker (Majority Leader)
Minority LeaderWays & Means Chairperson
Assembly150 members
2-year term (elected even # yrs)
LegislativeLawmaking branch of state government
Acts as a check upon the executive authorityMay override a Governor's veto
Court of Appeals (State's highest court)Appellate Courts
Trial Courts of Superior JurisdictionTrial Courts of Lesser Jurisdiction
Chief Judge of the Court of AppealsChief judicial officer of the State
Chairman of the Administrative Board of the Courts
JudicialNew York State's unified court system
Full-time judges, part-time judges and non-judicial employees.
DraftingPut idea into bill form - usually done by the staff of the Legislative Bill Drafting Commission.
BillBills can be introduced only by legislators or by standing committees of the Senate and Assembly.
IdeaStarting point in the process - the first point at which the citizen has a chance to have a say in the writing or rewriting of law.
CommitteeComprised of specialists who are members of Standing Committees who evaluate bills and decide whether to "report" them (send them) to the Senate floor for a final decision by the full membership.
PassageAfter explanation, discussion or debate, a vote is taken. If a majority of the Senators approves, the bill is sent to the Assembly. If bill is approved in the Assembly without amendment, it goes on to the Governor. The reverse procedure is followed if the Assembly first passes a bill. Governor has 10 days (not counting Sundays) to sign or veto bills passed by both houses/
How a Bill becomes a Law
Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.
Apr. May.
Jun. Aug.Jul.
Executive Budget Making
Summer!
Start of Fiscal Year
Enacted Budget Due: April 1stState of the
State Speech
Executive Budget
Legislative Session (mid Jan.-late June)
Elections
Legislative Committee Hearings
Budget Negotiations
21-Day Amendments
1-house budgets
Governor signs or vetoes program bills (continues through September)
Program Bills
New York State Government Timeline
Recent NYSPAC Legislative Wins Mental Parity – Timothy’s Law
Supported by NYSPAC for 3 years Governor Pataki signed into law in December 2006
Combating Human Trafficking Passed same year NYSPAC supported legislation Governor Spitzer signed into law in May 2007
Funding for Women’s Shelter Services Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking Passed same year NYSPAC supported legislation Governor Spitzer signed into law in September 2008
NYSPAC Timeline: 2010 – 2011 Advocacy Year
NYSPAC Leagues Begin
Issues Research
(Connect with community
partners on key issues)
Task Force Chairs lead Fall Conference
prep to educate delegates on issues research and how to present an issue at
Fall Conference
NYSPAC Fall Conference (10/23) -
Delegates Vote to Select 2010 – 2011 Advocacy Agenda
Election Day (11/2); Task Forces
Begin In-Depth Issues Research
New York State Legislature’s 2011 Legislative Session
Opens
Task Forces Reach Out to Legislators; Identify Bills that Fit with NYSPAC Advocacy Agenda
Task Forces Begin Scheduling Legislative
Appointments for Advocacy Day
Follow-up Letters Sent to
Legislators
2011Legislative Session
Ends
Task Forces Finalize Talking Points and
Legislative Appointment Schedule
Task Forces Continue Issues Research &
Community Outreach Continue on NYSPAC
Advocacy Agenda
Task Forces Begin Drafting
Position Statement(s)
NYSPAC Spring
Conference & Advocacy Day (TBD)
NYSPAC Concludes Advocacy for 2010 -
2011
Feb Mar Apr JunSept DecNovOct Jan
Task Forces Reconvene on Advocacy Agenda (review
action items from Legislative appointments
and discuss next steps needed on advocacy
outreach)
Legislators Introduce New
Legislation; Committee
Agendas Set
Task Forces Finalize Position
Statements; Draft Key Talking Points
Final Position Statements
Sent to NYSPAC
Leagues for Approval
May
A Last Thought…
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!” - Margaret Mead, Anthropologist
Issues Presentations and Open Q&A
NYSPAC Delegates
“State of the State”
Barbara BartolettiLegislative DirectorLeague of Women Voters
2010 – 2011 Delegate Vote NYSPAC Member Leagues to vote on:
2010-2011 advocacy agenda – up to two policy issues, with one runner-up issue
Date for Spring Conference 2011 April 4th & 5th
April 11th & 12th
Voting Procedure: One vote per League only Board Members are not eligible to vote*
(*unless designated as their League’s voting delegate)
Roles & Responsibilities / Next Steps Task Forces
Issues research and prep calls Drafting of position statement(s); talking
points/key messages
NYSPAC Members Position statement approvals
Spring Conference & Advocacy Day Issues training & guest speakers Legislative appointments Press conference
Thank you for a fun and productive Fall Conference –
we look forward to seeing you at Spring Conference next April
!