1. Advocacy Makes A POWERFULDifference! Tom Melton, Assoc. Director Marshall Stewart, Assoc. Director

2. AdvocacyWhy? The Situation Projected budget shortfall Implications Significant ideological change Smaller government, lower taxes. Significant restructuring of priorities Centralized to decentralized funding model. Significant changes in Higher Education Less state support, higher tuition.

3. AdvocacyWhy? The Situation Extension Budget Cut Implications State/Federal investment $22.7 million in county positions and programs. $26.6 million in campus positions and programs. County investment $28.7 million in county positions and programs. County Government provides County Extension Offices

4. AdvocacyWhy? The Situation 10% or 30% Cut Implications Several hundred positions County and Campus combined Limited programming

5. AdvocacyWhere is Our Funding? The Situation Agriculture Program Line Item In Education Budget Funds Research and Extension Programs at NCSU Approximately $95 million total Approximately $53 million to Research Approximately $42 million to Extension

6. Advocacy The Strategy Strategic Leadership Strategic Communication Strategic Relationships Strategic Organization Strategic Action A Culture of Advocacy!

7. Advocacy The Strategy Guiding Principles 3 Know’s Know who you are. Know who you are talking to. Know what is important to who you are talking to. 3 Be’s Be flexible. Be relentless. Be honest.

9. Advocacy All politics is local. Make friends when you don’t need them so that you will have them when you do need them (Lyndon Johnson). Always be thankful (Rule of 7).

10. Advocacy The Strategy Utilize volunteer advocates from the area that they represent. Training and preparation is key. Figure out where the real power is. Could be a staffer or a friend or a family member. Know how to make your issue, his/her issue (Rule of 12). Hit their office with it at least 12 times from various contacts

11. Advocacy The Strategy Be Flexible. Politics is about compromise. Politics is about negotiation. Make sure you ask for enough.

12. Advocacy The Strategy Be Relentless. Understand the importance of re-election. Make sure you have a network (asset) that they see could be beneficial for them. Follow the MONEY ($). Review campaign reports to see who has their interest.

13. Advocacy The Strategy Be Honest Don’t lie. Don’t over-promise. Don’t commit someone else unless you are 110% sure of their agreement. Don’t agree to something that you are not comfortable with.

14. Advocacy The Strategy Next Steps Get to know your lawmakers; make sure they know you. Let them know how you can help them Involve lawmakers/policy-makers in your programs. Prepare your youth, volunteers and supporters with key messages --- use them in the media. Do everything with high quality. Develop a county strategy and report in!

15. Advocacy The Strategy Supporting Appropriations for Agricultural Programs Message Points for Legislative Contacts Explain why a specific program area of extension or research is important to you. Tell your representative that the Agricultural Programs budget lines in the state’s education budget support this program. Ask your representative to minimize budget reductions to research and extension programs covered in the Agricultural Programs budget lines because the Ag Programs budget lines do not receive the benefits of funding from tuition or enrollment increases.

16. Advocacy The Strategy Develop 2 to 3 specific examples of how Extension programs make a difference for their constituents Agriculture and Natural Resources Community Rural Development 4-H Youth Development Family and Consumer Sciences

17. Advocacy The Strategy Extension in ______ County makes a difference… (YOUR MESSAGE HERE!)

18. Advocacy The Strategy Do’s and Don’ts Do Your homework Use your networks Act Don’t Lie, over-promise or over-commit Agree to something you are not comfortable with Get upset or lose your cool

19. Advocacy The Summary The Two Most Important Questions in Politics How many of you know your legislators, policy-makers and/or influencers? How many of your legislators, policy-makers and/or influencers know you? The Bottom-line It is equally important for you to know them and for them to know you.

20. Advocacy The Summary Know the facts Build and use your influence If we all do our small part, it will make a big difference for the people we serve A Culture of Advocacy!