Voices During a Time of Choices: Call to Action!

1. Voices During a Time of Choices:Call to Action! Why Advocacy within your Mentoring Program is Vital

2. Introductions • Mai-Anh Kapanke, Associate Director • Nicki Patnaude, Public Policy Graduate Intern Panel • Jane Eastwood, Education Director for Mayor Coleman’s office—St. Paul, MN • Paul Meunier, Former Mayor of Ham Lake, MN • Dan Solomon, Field Representative for Senator Al Franken—St. Paul, MN Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

3. What is Grassroots Organizing? • A political practice to create social change • Based on the power of the people to take collective action on their own behalf Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

4. 7 Pillars of Successful Grassroots Communication • Pillar 1: Believe you can make a difference! • Pillar 2: Start early and get organized. • Pillar 3: Make it personal. • Pillar 4: Tell your story well. • Pillar 5: Timing is everything. • Pillar 6: Work with staff. • Pillar 7: Who we elect matters. Source: John Kaul, Capital Gains, Inc. Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

5. Why should I meet with my legislator? • Face-to-face meeting = higher priority for your concerns • More meetings with your group, more likely the Legislator will remember you when it’s time to vote on a bill • Plants the seeds for a relationship – possibly long-term Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

6. 10 Steps to Holding Effective Discussions with Elected Officials • Introduce yourself (as a constituent!) • Identify your organization • Thank them for meeting with you • Mention why you are there • State your purpose • Briefly explain talking points & rationale • Ask for their support • Thank them for support • Let them know you will stay in touch • Leave talking points handout with them Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

7. Relationships are important • Seek to establish and cultivate a relationship with your legislators • Legislators know that building relationships with constituents will help pass their legislation and aid their re-election • Since so few make this effort, the communication from you and others in your group can make a big difference Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

8. Now it’s time to play… Name That Politician! Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

9. Name this former Governor. Governor Jesse Ventura Minnesota Youth Policy(ies): • Eliminated Children’s Cabinet—direct voice for children and youth programs to the governor Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

10. Name this former U.S. Representative. Congressman Tom Osborne Nebraska Youth Policy(ies): • Original leadership for the bipartisan Congressional Mentoring Caucus (2002-2006) Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

11. Name this U.S. Senator. Senator Mary Landrieu Louisiana Youth Policy(ies): • Co-chairs the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth • Introduced Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009, reintroduced in 2011 Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

12. Name this U.S. Representative. Congresswoman Betty McCollum Minnesota Youth Policy(ies): • Current co-chair for the bipartisan Congressional Mentoring Caucus • Expressed support numerous times for designation of January as National Mentoring Month Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

13. Who are your legislators? • State House of Representatives? • State Senate? • U.S. House of Representatives? Find out here: MN: Minnesota legislature IA: Iowa Legislature NE: Nebraska legislature NY: NY SenateNY Assembly SD: South Dakota legislature MS: Mississippi legislature Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

14. Using the Media for Your Cause • Write good press releases, editorials = good • Making sure decision makers see every piece of your good press = better! • Use social media • Contact lead staff for the issue to inform and pass along good press Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

15. Effective Use of MediaSave Service • In 2011, House Budget proposed to cut funding for national service-based programs (i.e. AmeriCorps, Foster Grandparents, Teach for America, Habitat for Humanity, City Year, JumpStart, etc.) • AmeriCorps alum in Boston launched Save Service Campaign to ensure full funding for Corporation of National and Community Service Programs • “Call Day”, March 15 & September 15 • “District Office Drop-by” Day, August 10 • Launched social media initiative, using facebook and Twitter, to connect with alumni, stakeholders, etc. Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

16. Effective Use of MediaLittle Red Wagon • Non-profit formed in 2005 by then-7 year old Zach Bonner in response to Hurricane Charley (FL) • Walking across America to “help kids in distressed situations” • “24 Hours” sleep-outs and back-pack stuffing for homeless youth • Received Presidential Call to Service Award from Pres. George W. Bush for achievements • Successfully accesses media on a variety of levels (news, web, print, social networking) to reach stakeholders Zach Bonner Video Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

17. Policy & Advocacy Resources • www.mpmn.org/takeaction • http://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/mcn-at-the-capitol • http://www.mentoring.org/get_involved/advocate • http://www.youthtoday.org/index.cfm • http://www.sasanet.org/curriculum_final/downlaods/CA/Working%20Papers%20&%20Case%20Studies/WP1%20-%20Advocacy_Skills.pdf Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

18. Words of Wisdom “Information is a commodity…if you don’t engage, they won’t respond.“ -Fred Cavazza Social Media / Web Consultant Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011

19. Words of Wisdom "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.“ -Margaret Mead Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, 2011