Washington State PTA Advocacy

Focus DayThursday Feb. 26, 2009

Rally on the Steps in Olympia

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WSPTA’s Vision and MissionVision

Make every child's potential a reality

Mission

Speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools,in the community, and before governmental bodiesand other organizations that make decisions affecting children

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everychild.onevoiceeveryvoice.anadvocate

Role of Focus Day in PTA advocacy

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Survey the Membership:Rank the Issues

Spring Convention

Advocate locally with legislators

Step you can take is to contact your legislator

Talk with legislators

Cultivate Legislator

Relationships

FocusDay

Legislative Assembly:

Prioritize Issues

Members SubmitLegislative Issues

• 1-day event at the Olympia Capitol for all advocates

• New for ’09 Rally + Partners + Online Support

• How legislators visibly see PTA & advocacy coalition

• Newsworthy, influential, state-wide awareness for WSPTA Top 5 Issues

• Opportunity to add your voice

In person or online….

….Advocacy in Full View

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WSPTA’s Focus Day is ....

Focus on One Message, One Agenda

Basic Ed Funding is our priority messagePetition the legislature to fulfill the mandate to theirBasic Ed Funding Task Force of re-define and price Basic Education

Maximum influence is our top agendaBig attendance + visibility = influence of legislatorsand populous on each Top 5 issue

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Steps you can take are to share the core message, show up with friends

Focus on Coalition of Partners

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WSPTA is one of the many –

Steps you can take are to:

• invite your colleagues & friends

• invite their organizations

• cultivate all advocacy partners

Friends on the left….

Friends on the

….right

Register online to receive:

current news & info

latest resources

transportation options

PTA membership is not required to register

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Focus on Being Connected

Step to take is RSVP – let us know you are coming!

http://www.wastatepta.org/legislation.htm

Virtually too. . . .If you can not join us on the steps, participate via the online CapWiz email. Join in online in a 48-hour window around Feb. 26th.

http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/

CapWiz lets you send a quick one-time email directly to your legislators. Background info and a specific request of your legislator make up the email template, or use your own words to say exactly what you want. In 1-2 minutes you can support Focus Day’s timely influence.

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Focus on Promoting Participation

Step to take is participate one way or another!

Focus on Transportation Local units have resources to organize carpools and charter buses

Carpool Charter a bus

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Step you can take is to enjoy the journey,arrive with friends, share the day!

Focus on Influencing Legislators

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What do we all need out of Focus Day?

For more legislators to cast more votes for positions WSPTA champions.

Our collaborative Focus Day coalition garners media attention and public awareness, emphasizing the pivotal role advocates play in a legislator’s focus on issues.

Step you can take is to ask your legislator what they arevoting for from BEF’s work

Focus on Investing One Day….

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TENTATIVE AGENDA - As of December 2008 Columbia Room & South Steps of the Legislative Building (Capitol Dome). Appointments with legislators as you may schedule throughout the day. 9:00 Check-In Registration opens10:30 Welcome – Laura Bay, WSPTA President

FD Chairs Byron Shutz & Shelley Kloba

10:45 Overview of Focus Day - Paul Cheek, WSPTA Legislative Director to Bill & Committee Status - Donna Christensen, WSPTA Lobbyist11:30 Top 5 WSPTA Priority Issues – 5 mins by each issue submitter

12:00 Rally on The Steps of the Legislative Building (Capitol Dome)Speaker: Emcee / FD Chairs?Speaker: Pres. Laura BaySpeakers: Advocacy Partners Exec. Directors

12:15 Guest Speaker: Governor Gregoire12:30 Guest Speakers: To be announced 1:00 Conclude Public Rally on the Steps

1:30 Columbia Room Presentation / Speaker - To Be Determined 4:00 Conclude Event, and access to the Columbia Room –

Focus on Steps You Can Take

Save the date Thu. Feb. 26 RSVP - let us know you are coming! Contact your legislator throughout the year Participate, one way or another – attend or CapWiz email Show up with friends – invite colleagues & friends Cultivate all advocacy partners Enjoy the journey, share the day – carpool or bus Share the focused message - top priority is funding the Top 5 Ask your legislator what they are voting for from BEF’s work

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Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir men’s blood.

Daniel Burnham

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WSPTA Focus Day Co-Chairs

Byron Shutz Shelley Klobabcshutz@comcast.net shelley@kloba.com

Legislative Director Paul Cheekptalegdir@wastatepta.org 253-845-6395

Advocacy Coordinator Kim Howardkhoward@wastatepta.org 253-565-2153

WSPTA Resources - http://www.wastatepta.org/legislation.htmWSPTA CapWiz Center - http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/

everychild.onevoiceeveryvoice.anadvocate