LEGISLATIVE FAQ’S
Q: What is “Advocacy” and how does it fit in with PTA?
A: PTA is the world’s largest child advocacy organization whose mission is to speak on behalf of all children and youth. PTA actively promotes and encourages legislative advocacy.
Q: Why Advocate?
A: There are over one million California PTA members. That equates to a lot of power in terms of giving our children a much louder voice. Speaking together with a common concern on issues, PTA’s in California & throughout the nation (approx. 6.5 million members) can form a powerful force in securing adequate laws and public policy that are best for the care & protection of children & youth.
Q: Who Advocates?
A: Every single member of the PTA can be an advocate – but to do that they have to understand the issues. That is where the importance of Leg. Reps. come in. On a site basis (Wagon Wheel school) that will involve having a Legislative Representative who attends monthly legislative meetings and then reports back to that school’s Executive Board & General Association members. This facilitates us all to be able to take effective action on important issues.
Q: Where do these “Leg Reps” Advocate?
A: 1. Locally – with School Board members and state & federal legislators when they are in their home offices. 2. In Sacramento with state legislators. 3. In Washington DC with federal legislators.
Q: When do they advocate?
A: All through the year! Typically, we make local legislator visits from September through December, as the state legislature is not in session at that time. Trips to Sacramento are made almost monthly from January through May/June. This is due to the fact that the Governor proposes a budget in January then revisions will be made leading up to the “May revise”. Some years, a trip is made to Washington DC sometime between April & July.
Q: What do they advocate for?
A: Any current issue that the Legislation Team feels is a priority. In previous years that has encompassed budget discussions locally, protecting school funding at the state level & Special Education funding at the federal level.
Q: How do we advocate?
A: 1. by holding meetings with School Board members & state & federal legislators. 2. By conducting letter writing campaigns. 3. by e-mailing/calling/faxing legislators’ offices.
Q: What is the structure of the Legislative Team?
A: Each school appoints a Legislation Chair. The unit (WWES) Legislation Chair is part of the CUCPTSA (Capistrano Unified Council of PTAs) Legislative Team. We report to the CUCPTSA President. Next up the ladder comes the Fourth District (all of OC and some of south LA County) PTA Legislative Team, followed by the State PTA Legislative Team. And finally, the National PTA Legislative Team.
Q: What is the real importance of having a Legislation Chair at our school?
A: Five reasons: 1. a well-informed school body empowered to make informed decisions about educational issues. 2. Potential funding increases at every school site through effective advocacy. 3. Supporting the primary mission of PTA – advocating for all children. 4. Democracy in action. 5. Civic involvement modeled for future generations to come…
Any questions or comments? Please feel free to contact me at kgronnerud@yahoo.com!
