Strategies For Effective Lobbying
Thoughts on Strategies for Effective Lobbying of School Boards and School Administration
By JoAnna Newhouse
Los Angeles City Elementary School Music Association
Think of the crisis in the positive vein as being an "opportunity" to educate board Members and administration in the value of music in the schools.
Plan group visitations to each board member. Keep the visit in a positive light. They are interested in the welfare of the students just as you are.
Never use the word "frill." Music is essential and belongs in the core curriculum. Be adamant on this issue.
Never suggest cuts in someone else's program. Show that you are willing to work for the good of all students. Keep the issues student-centered (not teacher job centred).
Be current on issues presented at board meetings. Have representatives of your group regularly attend and give reports back to your group.
Get to know your area board member personally. Be involved in the board member's campaign. Attend and speak at the board member's open house.
Invite board Members to student concerts. Let the board Members see and experience the value of what you do.
BE PREPARED AHEAD OF ANY CRISIS BY DOING THE FOLLOWING:
a. Have in place a telephone tree of your group ready months in advance of any budget announcements, and revise the telephone tree annually thereafter.
b. Have in place a list of names and phone numbers of parent and community supporters FOR EACH MEMBER OF YOUR GROUP. Be ready to network HUNDREDS of phone calls in twenty-four hours. This list should be ready months in advance of budget announcements.
c. Have in place a speakers list ready to address the school board and administration. Have four times the number of speakers you will actually use, as meetings will be cancelled and rescheduled, possibly over months.
d.Know the rules of the board room: length of time for speeches; who may call in speakers; how far in advance can speakers be scheduled; are buttons or banners allowed in the room, is instrument playing allowed etc.
Address the board and administration with proper titles. E.g. begin the speech with "Mr. Superintendent, Madame Chair, Members of the board."
Use the "trilogy" three speaker consecutive approach in addressing the board.
a. Parent: Articulates value of music education in the schools. States that music must not be cut.
b. Student: Eloquently speaks UNCOERCED by teacher or parent. Has parents approval. Explains what music has meant in his/her life. Speech is in students own words.
c. Music teacher or university professor: Ties in the value of music in the curriculum.
FILL THE BOARD ROOM when your speakers are scheduled. Think of a support audience in the HUNDREDS. Numbers count here. May be advantageous to have a rally occurring at the same time.
Don't have a series of repetitive speakers all saying music is wonderful. Be sure each speaker addresses the issue with a different slant and input. Give different information.
Be prepared with facts concerning the status of music in your district. Key your emotion to these FACTS. Do your homework and know the issues.
Should a written proposal become necessary to address the board and administration, utilize John Benham's manual for the music advocate: Economic Analysis To Support Music Programs.
Have community supporters phone and/or write the board and administration. Petitions are nice but the mileage will come from phone calls and letters which are tallied.
Do not use form letters addressed to administration or school boards. Must be individually written.
Send thank-you's to administration and school board Members for positive comments or positive reactions showing interest or support of music in the schools.
Be proud of what you do. Take control. Plan, analyze, and act in positive professional ways that will also gain you respect.
