Interest: Advocacy

Six Practical Tips on How to Advocate With Your Legislator or Elected Official

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1. Establish your agenda and goals.

  • Know what subject you are going to address. Don’t overload with issues – stick to no more than two or three.
  • Decide what you would like to get out of the visit, ie. a commitment to vote for your issue, leadership on the issue, or you may decide the visit is simply informational.
  • Allow time for small talk at the outset, but not too much. Remember, it’s your visit.

2. Listen well.

  • Much of lobbying is listening, looking for indications of the elected official’s views, and finding opportunities to provide good information.
  • Listening can allow you the opportunity to find areas of common ground on an issue.
  • If you are meeting with a “silent type,” draw her/him out by asking questions.
  • If you are confronted with a “long-winded type.’ Look for openings to bring her/him back to the point.

3. Be prepared, but don’t feel that you need to be an expert.

  • Most elected officials are generalists, like many of us. Do your homework, but don’t feel that you need to know every little detail of an issue. Air personal feelings and experiences where appropriate. Relate the concerns of your friends and members of the community.
  • Know when to admit “I don’t know,” and offer to follow up with the information.
  • Be open to counter-arguments, but don’t get stuck on them. Don’t be argumentative or confrontational.

4. Don’t stay too long.

  • Try to get closure on your issue. If you hear what you had hoped for, express your thanks and leave. If you reach an impasse, thank the legislator, even if disappointed, and say so. End the meeting and continue the discussion at another time.

5. Remember you are there to build a relationship.

  • If the elected official is good on an issue you’ve been involved in or has supported your position in the past, be sure to acknowledge your appreciation during the course of the visit.
  • If the opposite is true, think of the phrase, “No permanent friends, no permanent enemies.” Someday, on some issue of importance to you, they may come through. In the meantime, your visit may prevent the official from being an active opponent of your issue.

6. Follow-up is important.

  • Be sure to send a thank-you note after the visit. If commitments were made in the meeting, repeat your understanding of them. If staff members were present, write to them too. They can often be important allies.

Statement from California State PTA Regarding Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products

Thanks to the efforts of California State PTA and a broad coalition of health organizations and local municipalities, California just outlawed the sale of flavored tobacco products. Senate Bill 793 banned all sales of flavored tobacco and vaping products to both adults and children.

The tobacco industry waged a major opposition campaign, making this a sweet victory.

California State PTA had strong PTA authority for this bill. It had just adopted a convention resolution this summer that specifically called for the prohibition of all sales of flavored tobacco, not just to kids.

Recognizing that tobacco companies were more than happy to prohibit the sale to kids as long as they could continue marketing and selling to adults, convention delegates voted to outlaw all sales. This was to ensure flavored tobacco would not be available as an entry level product to create a lifetime of addiction.

In writing to the legislature, the PTA said:

“Flavored tobacco, and specially flavored e-liquids for vaping promote tobacco use by California’s youth. Over 5.3 million kids in the U.S. now use e-cigarettes. 27.5% of high school students used e-cigarettes in 2019 compared to 11.3% in 2016. Flavors are driving the demand for use. 97% of youth e-cigarette users report using a flavored product, and 70% cite flavors as the reason for their use. While we understand the tax implications and potential loss of revenue as a result of this bill, we believe the health benefits to our children and youth should hold more sway when deciding the future of this legislation.”

Several PTA districts drafted the resolution and worked with the California State PTA advocate in contacting key legislators and the Governor as the bill went through the legislative process. PTA worked closely with a range of state and national organizations to pass this legislation and used Action Alerts as well as the Advocacy Insider newsletter and social media to engage PTA members in this advocacy.

Governor Newsom said, “It will be a point of deep pride and personal privilege as a father of four and as someone who’s had many, many family members die at the hands of the tobacco industry to sign that bill.”

PTA Resolution and Background Statement: E-Cigarettes/Vaping, Flavored Tobacco Products and Youth Health

CALIFORNIA STATE PTA RESPONDS TO NEXT PROPOSED ECONOMIC STIMULUS ACT

California State PTA sent the following letter on July 29, 2020 to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer:

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, Majority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Schumer:

On behalf of our 700,000 members, California State PTA is writing to express our deep disappointment that the proposed HEALS Act does not respond adequately to the funding needs of our schools and the health and safety needs of our students and school staff.

The Senate HEALS ACT provides little healing and in fact tries to force schools to open with in-person learning despite the worsening of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the country.

Instead of protecting public education by funding at the levels school experts recommend, the HEALS Act shortchanges kids and teachers.  The Council of Great City Schools estimates that schools need at least $200 billion to meet the needs of students   The HEALS Act provides far less: $70 billion is allocated to the country’s K-12 schools BUT only one-third, or about $23.3 billion, will be available immediately.

The bill tries to persuade schools to reopen in person by dangling about two-thirds of the funding ($46.6 billion) — only to schools that reopen with more than 50% in-person instruction.

Schools that are reopening mostly with distance learning will not be eligible for any additional funding outside the initial $23.3 billion.

This punishes states that are opening primarily with distance learning and prioritizing the health and well-being of students and staff.  California, the state with the most students in the nation, will not get enough money to support its schools because it is putting safety and health first.

The timeline for the reopening of schools should be based on the current impact of the virus on individual communities.  Using the promise of extra money to re-open schools in person violates our responsibility to protect the safety and health of our children.

California State PTA has several additional concerns beyond the low level of funding for schools to open safely.

  • Oppose Private School Tuition Scholarships The bill provides money for private school tuition scholarships.  Public money should be used for public schools.  Private school voucher programs undermine our nation’s public schools by diverting desperately needed resources away from the public-school system to fund the education of a few, select students in private, often religious, schools.
  • Increase Funding for Childcare The HEALS Act would allocate $15 billion to help childcare providers reopen, including $190 million for programs aimed at preventing family violence and promoting child welfare.  Childcare experts estimate that $50 billion is needed to provide for personnel, sanitation, training and other costs associated with reopening and running childcare facilities. Childcare is one of the most critical needs to allow parents to get back to work.
  • Fund Special Education Missing from the bill is what most school districts put as one of their highest needs: fully funding special education. The costs of special education have grown much faster than revenues and schools are forced to reduce services for other students to meet their legal obligations.
  • Support Internet Connectivity It is unacceptable that Congress is not providing needed resources to connect students and teachers to the internet as schools have already announced plans to conduct remote learning or a hybrid combination to start the school year. This is an equity issue that prevents students living in poverty from accessing public education.

Congress must invest at least $175 billion for K-12 education to ensure that students can keep learning and schools can reopen for in-person instruction when it is safe to do so.

Sincerely,

 

Celia Jaffe
President California State PTA
president@capta.org

cc:  Senator Diane Feinstein
Senator Kamala Harris

President-Elect Carol Green Testifies at State Assembly Education Hearing

On June 16, 2020, California State PTA President-Elect Carol Green testified on behalf of PTA during the State Assembly’s hearing titled “Re-Opening California’s Public Schools for the 2020-21 School Year.”

“The past three months have been difficult for everyone – especially children and families. California State PTA has been asking parents throughout the state how things are going and what they need. In such a large diverse state the answers are varied. But there are few universal concerns about the health & safety. These seem to fall into three main categories: Concerns about the social emotional well-being of children, their families and teachers. Concerns about communication – Parents want to know what is going on and what the school plans to do. They would also like to be part of the process. Concerns for our most vulnerable children – students with special needs, socioeconomically disadvantaged families and other vulnerable students. All kids need to be considered.”

Click here to see a recording of the hearing – Carol is on the first panel, “Health and Safety of Students and Staff.” To read a transcript of her testimony, click here.

California State PTA Announces Support for California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2020

Media Contacts:

Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Communications
communications@capta.org

Ignacio Barragan, Assistant Executive Director
ibarragan@capta.org / 916.440.1985

SACRAMENTO – December 19, 2020 – California State PTA announces its support for the California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2020, a ballot initiative that aligns with the organization’s goals of promoting the education, health, safety and well-being of children and securing stable and sustainable public education funding.

Also known as the “split roll” initiative, the measure would amend 1978’s Proposition 13 by reassessing and taxing certain commercial properties at current market value. The initiative will appear on the November 2020 statewide ballot if it gets the required number of signatures to qualify. If approved it will raise $6.5-11.5 billion in annual funds for public education, local governments and community services.

Roughly 40% of the projected revenue raised from this initiative would go to K-12 schools and community colleges, with the rest allocated to counties and cities. This will provide additional resources toward the goal of providing every student with a quality 21st century education. Despite having the fifth-largest economy in the world, the state is 41st in the nation in terms of per-student funding, 45th in student-teacher ratios, and 48th in staff per student.

“When more funds flow into local coffers, school districts and communities see a direct benefit,” said Celia Jaffe, President of California State PTA. “This initiative will have a positive impact on the ability of school districts to hire teachers and diversify their curriculum in ways that California State PTA has long advocated for.”

“Due to lack of funds, California schools are failing to adhere to mandates in areas such as arts education, a subject in which 88% of schools don’t meet state requirements,” Jaffe said. “Furthermore, additional funding would ensure other underfunded areas such as science and technology education would receive support.”

The California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2020 is one of two school funding ballot measures that California State PTA is supporting in 2020. The second measure is the school facilities bond on the March 2020 ballot. Both align with PTA’s mission to advocate for the education, health and safety of children and families. California State PTA recognizes that appropriate and adequate funding directly impacts the success of students and communities across the state.

California State PTA Laments Victims of Saugus High School Shooting

Media Contacts:

Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Communications
communications@capta.org

Ignacio Barragan, Assistant Executive Director
ibarragan@capta.org
916.440.1985

SACRAMENTO – November 14, 2019 – California State PTA laments those who were injured, killed and traumatized by the November 14 shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California.

“Our hearts break for those who lost their lives and peace of mind at Saugus High School today,” said Celia Jaffe, President of the California State PTA. “Gun violence in schools is unacceptable. Schools should be places where students can learn and staff can teach in safety.”

California State PTA has long advocated for safer schools by supporting both state and federal legislation that protects children from gun violence, including:

  • Requiring firearm licensure procedures that include a minimum 3-day waiting period and background checks to screen out illegal firearm purchasers such as convicted felons and drug-related offenders;
  • Restricting internet gun sales, including kits that can be used to make/modify guns;
  • Enforcing federal and state minimum age requirements for gun purchases;
  • Requiring safety devices, including childproof trigger locks, on all firearms offered for sale, delivery or transfer;
  • Prohibiting the sale and possession of assault weapons for non-military/non-law enforcement use and requiring a registration process for those who legally own such firearms;
  • Banning the manufacture, sale or possession of “junk guns”/Saturday night specials;
  • Banning armor-piercing ammunition;
  • Controlling the illegal possession of firearms and other lethal weapons on school campuses; and
  • Supporting state and federal funding initiatives for the research of the causes and effects of gun violence

“Gun violence is a public health crisis that affects us all – most of all, our children and youth,” said Shereen Walter, California State PTA’s Director of Legislation. “Today’s shooting reinforces the urgency of finding a way to end such senseless crimes. California State PTA is actively lobbying both federal and state lawmakers to demand change, and we encourage our members to help our efforts by calling or writing to your state and federal representatives and demanding action.”

PTA Strengthens Position on Firearms and Assault Weapons to Protect All Children

Media Contacts:


SACRAMENTO –  In the wake of recent school shootings, California State PTA, the largest child advocacy association, unanimously adopted a revised position statement on Firearms and Assault Weapons. View the revised position statement.

“For more than a century, California State PTA has advocated for safer schools. Gun violence is a public-health crisis that affects us all – most of all, our children and youth. And, it’s preventable,” said California State PTA President Dianna MacDonald. “California State PTA supports state and federal legislation that protects all of our children and youth from gun violence.”

The position statement reaffirms and strengthens the association’s stance on firearms including minimum age requirements to purchase guns, prohibiting the sale and possession of assault weapons defined as automatic and semi-automatic weapons, and incorporates language from the National PTA position that the safest schools are gun free.

“Our members have been reaching out and asking California State PTA to act,” said California State PTA Vice President for Health & Community Concerns Shereen Walter. “Our action to strengthen our position statement sends a clear message — the most effective day-to-day school climate is gun free.”

California State PTA will be addressing gun violence, school safety and mental health issues with federal lawmakers in Washington D.C. on March 13-15 during the 2018 National PTA Legislation Conference. The association is also rallying members to make their voices heard by “calling out” their federal lawmakers on March 14 and demanding an end to gun violence. View the call to action alert.

POSITION STATEMENT

Firearms and Assault Weapons

  • Adopted July 1990
  • Reviewed and Deemed Relevant May 2016 – Community Concerns Commission
  • Revised February 2018 – Board of Managers

California State PTA has a long history and proud tradition of supporting legislation and programs for the safety and protection of children, youth, and families. School safety is a critical priority for all parents, educators, students and community members. We must make every attempt to reduce violence, especially incidents that involve firearms.

California State PTA recognizes the importance of a safe learning environment in attaining the highest level of student learning and achievement. California State PTA believes the most effective day-to-day school climate to be gun-free, but defers to local collaborative decision- making to allow for the presence of law enforcement deployed in community-oriented policing.

California State PTA supports state and federal legislation and restrictions that protect children and youth from gun violence and would:

  • Require a firearm licensure procedure that includes a minimum 3 day waiting period and background check to screen out illegal firearm purchasers such as convicted felons and drug-related offenders;
  • Require a firearm licensing procedure that includes proof of passing a state- certified course in appropriate firearms use and safe handling practice;
  • Restrict internet gun sales, including kits that can be used to make/modify guns;
  • Enforce federal and state minimum age requirements for gun purchases;
  • Require safety devices, including childproof trigger locks, on all firearms offered for sale, delivery or transfer;
  • Prohibit sale and possession of assault weapons for non-military/non-law enforcement use and require a registration process for those persons who now legally own such firearms;
  • Prohibit for non-military/non-law enforcement purposes, the manufacture, importation, possession, sale or resale of accessories and ammunition designed for assault weapons;
  • Ban the manufacture, sale or possession of “junk guns”/Saturday night specials;
  • Ban armor-piercing ammunition;
  • Control the illegal possession of firearms and other lethal weapons on school campuses;
  • Support state and federal funding initiatives for research into the causes and effects of gun violence.

California State PTA believes we must enact legislation that will reduce gun violence and help protect children and youth. California State PTA further supports:

  • Education programs that stress the importance of firearm safety and awareness, including the risks of unsecured firearms in the home, and the use and availability of firearm safety devices, including trigger locks;
  • Education programs to inform parents and community members about the harm and injury gun violence inflicts on children and youth;
  • Public awareness campaigns regarding the importance of legislation for the safety and protection of the public, especially children and youth.

Update as of March 6, 2018

Fringe news outlets have recently published stories incorrectly stating California State PTA’s positions on gun-violence prevention efforts and student demonstrations. California PTA is not organizing any marches or student walkouts.

Gun violence is a public-health crisis that affects us all – most of all, our children and youth. And, it’s preventable. California State PTA will be addressing gun violence, school safety and mental health issues with federal lawmakers in Washington D.C. on March 13-15 during the 2018 National PTA Legislation Conference. We are also asking for your help to “call out” your federal legislators to demand stronger gun-violence prevention legislation. View the action alert.

California State PTA supports the rights of students to express themselves on campus through organized demonstrations, but believes that care must be taken to ensure the orderly operation of the school is not disrupted and the physical safety of students is not threatened. Leaving during school hours to attend an off-campus demonstration places the student outside the safety zone of the school and unnecessarily jeopardizes that school’s education funding. We are aware of several student demonstrations scheduled in the coming days and weeks and have provided guidance for local PTAs that wish to support student voices. View guidance information.

Six Ways to Engage Families in ESSA

Parents and their children are the consumers of our nation’s public education system, and parents have always been essential partners in education. However, they haven’t always been included at the decision-making table. This has caused confusion, mistrust and backlash when new initiatives — whether at the federal, state or local level—have been considered and implemented.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides a unique opportunity for parents and families to give their input and to hold states and districts accountable for their children’s educational experience.

National PTA has identified six critical ways states, school districts and schools should be engaging parents and families as part of ESSA or any new education initiative. Use the rubric on the back to evaluate how your state, school district and school are doing!

Social Media Advocacy Chart

Advocating is easy with the new social media chart. Tweet, post and share any items in the green column. Think twice before sharing items in the yellow section, and do not share items in the red column from a PTA account.

Download the resource in English or Spanish.