WEBINAR OVERVIEW

• #1 Question: Campaign Overview• Tips and suggestions for local events• Guidance for Messaging • Stipend reimbursement process• Group Sharing of Events

#1 QUESTION: CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW

• Public policy campaign led by Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia. • Our goal is that lawmakers and people from all walks of life use the

question “Is it good for children?” as a litmus test for their actions.• Replaces annual Children’s Day at the Legislature event.• Provides stipends to support up to 25 local events.• Statewide kick-off on Jan. 11, 2011 (1.11.11)

• Legislative breakfast at Charleston Marriott• Press Conference at State Capitol at 1:11 p.m.

• Campaign updates will be distributed throughout Legislative Session.

PCA-WV 2011 Proposed Policy Agenda

PCA-WV is asking the state legislature make a $1.1 million investment in FY 2011-2012 to strengthen families, communities and support effective programs that prevent child abuse and neglect BEFORE it occurs.

Funding would support:– $300,000 for In-Home Family Education.– $200,000 for training and education.– $600,000 for community prevention projects.

GOALS FOR LOCAL EVENTS

• Mobilize grassroots activity for children’s issues,

• Educate lawmakers about local priorities,

• Build relationships with lawmakers,

• Distribute information about #1 Question: Is it Good for Children? campaign

TOP 5 REASONS TO SPEAK OUT

1. You can make a difference

2. It is easy

3. You are seen as a credible messenger

4. Policy makers need our expertise

5. It advances our cause

GETTING LAWMAKERS TO YOUR EVENT

• Events should be scheduled BEFORE 1/11/11.• Check with one legislator to get good time for the

meeting with lawmakers. • Send invitations ASAP.• Within 1 week of invitation, follow-up to ensure they

received invitation AND PLACED event on their calendar.

• Week before event, follow-up calls to remind.

DAY OF THE EVENT

• Make sure there is adequate signage for parking and directing to the meeting location.

• Provide opportunity for a brief tour of facility, if applicable.

• Provide light refreshments. • Personally welcome lawmakers as they arrive.

DURING THE EVENT…

• Be on time, prepared, and polite.• Start by concisely introducing your organization.

Include the following information:• Who you are

• What your organization does• What you need from your legislator(s)• A reference to the fact sheet you have

prepared

SUGGESTED AGENDA (OPTIONAL)

• Welcome by Executive Director• Make a role for your Board chair - suggest that

they introduce elected officials. • Provide brief summary of your top 3 policy

issues• Hand out materials and info about your program• Open up for questions• Allow elected officials to speak, if time allows.

AFTER THE EVENT…

• Follow up with a thank you note along with any information that you promised during the visit.

• Keep in touch during legislative session – contact your legislator on issues of interest to your organization, and remind him/her of his/her visit to your facility.

• Send Event Feedback Form to PCA-WV.

MESSAGING:BEFORE YOU GET STARTED…

Know…• What you want – what is your issue and “ask”?• Who you should ask – who are your targets?• How you should ask – develop your message and

a plan to deliver it.• How are you going to follow-up?

PCA-WV REFRAMING GUIDELINES

• Focus on what works and provide examples.• Center messages on basic values we all share – opportunity,

fairness, ingenuity, responsibility – and connect them to our issue.• Counteract the “family bubble”. Messages should show

community involvement with children and their parents.• Give your audience a positive mental picture to start. Don’t begin

with “child abuse”.• Demonstrate the essential role of community. • Give the audience specific actions. Make it very clear what they

can immediately do after hearing the message.

THE ASK

• Be specific• Be clear• Two kinds of asks: • Policy

• Relationship building• What would your ask be?

WHO SHOULD YOU ASK?

• What does your legislator care about?• Why are you relevant?• What about their staff?• Do your homework…be informed about your

legislators.

How Should You Ask? Developing Your Message

Know your facts – provide good information Be specific Provide solutions – not just issues/problems Be ready to tell your story Be brief Remember to frame issue effectively Use social math

Social math is the process of translating large numbers to be interesting to journalists and meaningful to audiences.

Using familiar things, break down numbers by:Time (# per year, month, week, day, hour)Place (enough people to fill classrooms, school

buses, a stadium, a specific city)Dollars (spent on ice cream, shoes, coffee)Ironic comparisons (highlights value by

comparing to less important things)

DELIVERING YOUR MESSAGE

• Face-to-face meetings – most effective!• Visits to local programs• Personal letters• Telephone calls• E-mails• Postcards• Petitions• Public hearing/public forums• Lobby days at the State Capitol

FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS

• Have a 3-minute, 10-minute, & 20-minute version

• Use a 2-3 constituent team• Use personal stories and facts• Keep it short and simple• Remember to follow-up with a thank-you!

COMMUNICATION MISTAKES TO AVOID

• Angry or threatening communications• Surprises• Waiting too late to voice support/concern• Providing different messages• Not having a specific “ask”• Using messages that generate support for punitive

solutions instead of investments in children.

MORE MESSAGING TIPS

• Don’t attack the legislator for his/her record on your issue(s).

• Don’t use technical terms or acronyms, unless you are certain that your legislator will understand them.

• If you don’t know the answer to a question, say you’ll find out and get back to him/her – and follow through.

Staying Up to Date & Taking Action

PCA-WV facilitates the Legislative Action Team for Children & Families

Weekly meetings during Regular SessionLegislative Action AlertsOnline legislative action center - CAPWIZ

Legislative Action Centerhttp://www.capwiz.com/preventchildabusewv/

ADDITIONAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES www.legis.state.wv.us www.congress.org www.advocacyguru.com www.ncsl.org www.afj.org www.01-11-11.org www.capwiz.com/preventchildabusewv www.preventchildabusewv.org http://www.preventchildabuse.org/advocacy/

position_statements.shtml

Stipend Reimbursement Process

Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis. Funding may NOT be used for the purchase of alcohol,

equipment, or election campaigning. Submit Stipend Report Form and ALL receipts to:

Florence Tabor, Office Manager

TEAM for WV Children

P.O. Box 1653

Huntington, WV 25717

304-523-9587

florence@teamwv.org

Local Updates and Group Sharing

For More Information Contact:

Jim McKay

1-866-4KIDSWV

304-697-0340

Email: jim@teamwv.org

Twitter: @TEAM4WVChildren

http://www.01-11-11.org

http://www.preventchildabusewv.org