1. Advocacy Makes A Powerful Difference – Locally! Mark Tucker County Extension Director Forsyth County, NC
2. Forsyth County, NC Population – 350,670 Extension Staff – 21 positions 11 agents / educators 7 Program Assistants / Technicians 3 support staff
3. Forsyth County, NC CES County Budget - $800,000 County Building County Vehicles County Benefits
4. Advocacy Advocacy is an on-going process. If you wait for a crisis it may be too late. Personally my philosophy has changed concerning advocacy and working with elected officials. My job as CED is to help educate decision makers about Extension Programs.
5. Advocacy vs Lobbying Advocacy – arguing for a cause on another’s behalf Lobby – to seek to influence (legislation) on behalf of a special interest
6. Advocacy 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.
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.
8. Advocacy State Level educate agents (4-H, FCS, Statewide) Educate statewide volunteer groups (ALS, ECA and 4-H volunteers) ALS member – “train us on what you want us to say or we will go say what is on our minds”
10. Purpose of ALS Programming Resource Development Marketing Provide communication to key groups Advocacy Build and nurture relationships with key leaders, citizens and elected officials http://als.ces.ncsu.edu/
11. Preparing for Advocacy(Plan) Selection of ALS members (21 + 124) Review strengths and relationships of volunteers 300+ EMGV’s 100+ ECA Growers
12. Preparing for Advocacy(Plan) Select / match county advocate for each state legislator Keep ALS and other advocates informed of situation
13. Preparing For Advocacy(Market) Keys: Listen and learn issues and elected officials interests Operation Military Kids Steeplechase Commissioner’s “pet” project, prior 4-H comments Significant risk Lots of work (Impacts minimal, marketing potential great) Concerns could have made a decision not to participate easy. *New respect for 4-H, offer of County “4-H” Camp
14. Preparing For Advocacy (Know Yourself) Involve / Inform Advocates Keep them informed of issues Keep them active in programs Help them to see their connection (especially at state level) Offer opportunities to develop their “testimonials” (Market)
15. Preparing For Advocacy(Market) Help Elected Officials to Know Extension before the crisis Mass Media Staff training by Extension and local tv station Media personality speakers Volunteer / partner awards Report To People County Government Relations/Involvement County versus state agency
16. Preparing For Advocacy(Engage) Help Elected Officials to Know Extension before the crisis Volunteer Recognition / Report To People Elected Officials tell the story / present awards about their activities with Cooperative Extension. Volunteers tell why they volunteer with Extension. 2011 – 5 commissioners, 3 State Representatives, municipal elected officials and judges.
17. Preparing For Advocacy(Engage) Help Elected Officials to Know Extension before the crisis Elected Officials Breakfast Partnership with Farm Bureau Educate on Agricultural Issues Farmland Protection (VAD Chair), City Councilman Local Foods – Farmer, Agribusinessman 4 Commissioners, 1 state rep, 4 city council reps, Sheriff, Judges
18. Preparing For Advocacy(Engage) Help Elected Officials to Know Extension before the crisis 4-H Events (Recognition programs, livestock events, etc.) 4-H Citizenship Focus Forsyth Citizenship Focus
19. Preparing For Advocacy(Engage) Help Elected Officials to Know Extension before the crisis 4-H Citizenship Focus Youth attending learn about all three branches of state government, discuss how the work of government impacts them, and develop the tools necessary to develop a localized action plan for their community. They hear from a variety of state officials and identify opportunities for teen engagement in the political and governmental life of North Carolina.
20. Preparing For Advocacy(Engage) 4-H Citizenship Focus (2 youth per county) Individual Appointments with State Senators and Representatives Action Plans Law and Order – Forsyth (included parliamentary procedures training, elections, and a mock trial) Voter Registration Drive County Youth Council (appointed by Commissioners)
21. Preparing For Advocacy(Engage) Help Elected Officials to Know Extension before the crisis Forsyth 4-H Citizenship Focus Planned with youth (25 participants) Presentations by Chair of Commissioner, Deputy County Manager, Sheriff, Elections Director, Budget Director, lunch with 5 of 7 Commissioners, recognized at Commissioners Briefing
22. Advocacy The Strategy Strategic Leadership Strategic Communication Strategic Relationships Strategic Action (Let others tell your story – you have to prepare them) A Culture of Advocacy!
