Effective Advocacy for EE
Thank you for joining us on Thursday, February 3 for the EE Advocacy Call hosted by Brock Adler, Chair of the NAAEE Advocacy Committee, Jeanine Silversmith, RIEEA Executive Director, and Sarah Bodor, Director of Policy & Affiliate Relations at NAAEE.
NAAEE's Policy Priorities in 2022
- Annual appropriations
- EPA
- NOAA
- Climate Change Education Act
- Reintroduction of No Child Left Inside Act
- Possible reauthorization of National Environmental Education Act
"Momentum" is the word of the day for NAAEE's latest advocacy call. It's been a difficult couple of years, but as speaker Jeanine Silversmith said, "We don't need to do it alone." By being a part of this group, you're connected to a fantastic network. Together, we can motivate and support each other in our efforts to advocate for environmental education (EE).
During the "Effective Advocacy for EE" call, the speakers, Brock Adler, Jeanine Silversmith, and Sarah Bodor, provided a helpful overview of federal-level advocacy strategy. Much of the advice shared is also applicable to state-level advocacy and both in virtual and in-person settings.
Learning Goals for the “Effective Advocacy for EE” Call:
- Appreciate the value of advocacy to our work
- Understand basic advocacy strategy
- Be able to identify your U.S. Representatives & Senators and their committee assignments
- Be ready to begin and maintain a relationship with legislators & their staff
- Understand how to be organized and coordinated with others in your state
- Feel motivated and supported in your efforts to engage in advocacy for EE
We are really optimistic about what we can achieve this year! We also understand that this work takes time.
Advocacy Basics
Why advocate? If we're not advocating for EE, most likely, nobody else is. We need to tell our representatives about our needs because no one is better positioned to do so.
When we engage in advocacy, we make short and direct contacts with legislators and legislative staff who work in the education, environment, and appropriations committees.
Understanding Your Position as an Advocate
To our representatives, we’re the good news for the day! We approach them equipped with solutions.
Very rarely do we hear opposition as an advocate. In instances where we don’t get support, the most common reason given is, “I was never asked.”
When it comes to building relationships with legislators, remember:
- Your first-hand stories of EE's impact on your community are powerful.
- Take advantage of your local connections to state and federal policy.
- Make your knowledge and passion visible.
- Legislators often want to support your good work!
Identify Your Legislators and Their Committee Assignments
Knowing which legislator represents you is very easy to find out! The following two websites will help you identify your federal representatives and senators:
Each representative's page will show their bio and what committees they sit on. These committee assignments are vital to helping us strategize our outreach.
Contact Your Legislators
When reaching out to your representatives, it helps to:
- Be clear on your purpose.
- Start with a phone call (or email if you already have the correct contact).
- Expect to work most directly with staff.
- Get to the right person.
And when you do get a meeting scheduled, remember to:
- Relax.
- Do your homework. Read your representative's bio and, if possible, come to the meeting with relevant connections.
- Team up and establish roles.
- Prepare materials. You're a resource for these offices. It's their job to learn from you.
- Keep it brief. Meetings can be as short as fifteen minutes, and remember to confirm at the beginning of the meeting with a question like "Do we still have 15 minutes?"
- Be clear in your ask.
- Ask questions.
- Say "thank you."
- Follow up after the meeting with a thank-you note and perhaps a question or interesting article about what came up in your discussion.
Engage Your Legislator over Time
- Make connections with staff. Send a thank-you note. Add them to your mailing list.
- Provide (and ask for) updates. Keep them informed on news about grants and achievements.
- Ask them to speak at conferences or important events.
- Invite them over for program and site visits.
- Consider honoring them with an award or other recognition (if they've been a true champion).
- Use public platforms like social media to thank your representative for supporting EE.
If we’re not advocating for EE, most likely, nobody else is.
Connect with Your Network
Connect with your state affiliate, and if you aren’t a member already, join the Advocacy, Policy, and Civic Engagement eePRO Group. Lastly, sign up for eeADVOCATE, a quarterly newsletter bringing you news and actionable ideas. It’s free!
Thank you for your continued efforts to advance environmental education!
News from State Affiliates
New Mexico: Thank you Ed. Comm., for passing SB32!
Resources
- Learn about successful bipartisan policy initiatives in the Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook
If you could not attend, we recorded the call so you wouldn't miss anything!