Preparing the 4 h message for captiol hill
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The document provides guidance and information for 4-H youth participating in the National 4-H Conference. It outlines the objectives of the conference, which include visiting federal legislators, helping build relationships between Extension and stakeholders, and learning about the political process and environment. The document provides tips for meeting with legislators, including conducting research on the legislators, preparing briefing materials, and developing clear, concise messaging that focuses on program outcomes and personal stories. The overall aim is for 4-H youth to gain experience advocating for Extension and to help build political and public support for the organization.
Preparing the 4 h message for captiol hill
- 1. April 7, 2013 National 4-H Conference Prepared by: Christopher Anderson Maryland 4-H Youth Development Specialist
- 2. Strong leaders and advocates armed with information and passion can make a huge difference.
- 3. Visit with federal legislators and decision makers to observe the political process in action. Help Extension and 4-H build relationships with stakeholders. Build political and public support for Extension and 4-H through consistent and targeted communication with decisionmakers. Broaden understanding of public policy issues that impact Extension and Extension clientele. Learn how the changing political environment affects support for Extension and 4-H.
- 4. Opportunity to experience the political world of our nations capitol. Enhance advocacy and public policy education skills - increase your knowledge and effectiveness in working in your local political arena. Learn about the federal structure that supports Extension and 4-H.
- 5. Meet with your states Extension and 4-H administration to discuss your visit to Capitol Hill. Obtain permission to meet with legislators May have a specific message for you to carry to your visit May provide useful tips or information based on personal knowledge of your Congressional delegation Schedule appointments, then confirm your appointments Collect or prepare briefing information (not more than 1-2 pages) to leave with Members and staff. Use pictures in your reports and use bullet points rather then paragraphs.
- 6. Conduct research about your Member of Congress: Learn your which district your Congressman represents within your state. Do you live in his/her district? Term in Office Political Party Educational Background Occupational Background Committee Assignments Leadership Positions in the House or Senate Which issues are most important to the Member Familiarity with Extension and 4-H; any special relationships, i.e. a 4-H alumna? Who are the Members aides?
- 7. Prepare a Summary Sheet of Key Information UNITED STATES Staff Office/Contact Information App. UME Contact Hill Visit - UME PHOTO SENATE Contact Time Person Representatives *##Cardin, Benjamin Josh Klein 509 Hart Senate Office Building, 2:30pm Chris Anderson Chuck L. - (D - MD) Ag Washington, DC 20510, Esther 202-224-4524 *Josh had a pretty fax: 201-224-1651 extensive visit with Nick and Dr. Wei *Mikulski, Barbara A. Brent 503 Hart Senate Office Building 11:00am Karen Nevin - (D - MD) Palmer Washington, DC 20510 Reddersen Chris Phone: 202-224-4654 Fax: 202-224-8858 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES *Andrew P. Harris Craig 506 Cannon House Office Building, 2:00pm Karen Micheal (R), 1st Chesek Washington, DC 20515 Reddersen Nevin Congressional (202) 225-5311 District fax: (202) 225-0254 web: http://harris.house.gov C. A. Dutch Ann Jacobs 2453 Rayburn House Office Building, 10:30am Cynthia Warner Dwayne Ruppersberger III Washington, DC 20515 - 2002 Chuck (D), 2nd (202) 225-3061 Nick Congressional 1-800-877-8339 fax: (202) 225-3094 District web: http://dutch.house.gov *John P. Sarbanes Jim Notter 2444 Rayburn HOB 3:30pm Dwayne Murphy Esther (D), 3rd Washington DC 20515 Cynthia Congressional Phone: (202) 225-4016 Fax: (202) 225-9219 District web: http://sarbanes.house.gov Donna F. Edwards Allyson 318 Cannon House Office Building, 4:30pm Esther Mitchell Chris (D), 4th Alvare Washington, DC 20515 Chuck Congressional (202) 225-8699 Cynthia District fax: (202) 225-8714 web: http://donnaedwards.house.gov/
- 8. Know the basic process of how funding decisions are made. Prepare a one-page account of the important points you wish to make during your visit. Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask if given the opportunity during the visit. Take a camera just in case you have photo opportunities.
- 9. Develop a message that is direct, concise, and short - plan on 15 minutes total for your group. Develop a 2-minute version of your message just in case their schedule changes aka, the elevator speech. Select no more than two or three educational programs or issues, and focus on them. Dont talk in Extension or 4-H jargon. Emphasize outcomes of the program and how it makes a difference in peoples lives.
- 10. Introduce yourselves. Describe the purpose for your visit. Describe how 4-H is administered by your State Land Grant College and Extension program; nationally administered by 4-H National Headquarters, part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), U.S. Department of Agriculture. No more than two or three educational programs or issues and focus on them.
- 11. Ifyou are planning to talk about issues or problems in your community, be prepared to offer solutions (of course that include the important work of Extension and 4-H). TELL YOUR 4-H STORY. Make it personal to you, your family, your club, your community Emphasize outcomes of the program and how it makes a difference in peoples lives. Do not overwhelm the Member or staff with materials. A large packet of information will likely not get looked at.
- 12. Childhood obesity Food Safety Food Security Nutrition and Health Renewable energy Rural Economic Development Water Youth Development
- 13. We are often called upon to provide evidence of our programs private value to program participants, including such factors as time saved, dollars earned or health benefits increased. But, Extension also creates public value when our programs benefit others in the community those who do not participate in our programs directly. Source: http://extension.missouri.edu/staff/publicvalue.aspx
- 14. Q: "When making the case for Extension funding to an elected official, is it more effective to tell personal stories about positive experiences with Extension, or to share statistics about the impact of Extension programs?" A: The answer I got from the official who visits regularly with state legislators was, "We need a lot of both!" He said that the evidence on program impact is crucial for showing legislators that Extension is improving conditions in their districts. However, we make a stronger case when we can also "put a face" on those statistics with personal stories about Extension and, importantly, personal stories about how the improved community conditions have positively affected a constituent. So, it seems to me, our best case has three components: (1) evidence of program impact, (2) testimony from individuals whose lives were improved by their own participation in Extension programs, and (3) testimony from individuals who benefit from the improved conditions--environmental, social, economic, etc.--that Extension programs helped generate. Source: Are we storytellers or statisticians? by Laura Kalambokidis http://blog.lib.umn.edu/kalam002/publicvalue/public_value_messages/
- 15. A national infrastructure that can support the country we have personnel that live and work in their local communities committed to providing education for youth, families, businesses and communities to meet local needs. Ability to access knowledge from numerous other individuals and institutions in the Land-Grant system; information that is timely, credible for decision making, problem solving, community engagement, and public policy development. Adapted from: Cooperative Extension: Relevant Now and Beyond, 2011 PILD Conference presentation by Douglas O. Lantagne, Dean and Director, University of Vermont Extension
- 16. Extension works to keep Americans healthier with food safety and nutrition lessons. It helps parents develop confidence in their parenting skills. Farmers are able to learn practical and important information for a strong operation. Children and young adults develop communication and leadership skills to make them stronger citizens of tomorrow. Adapted from: Cooperative Extension: Relevant Now and Beyond, 2011 PILD Conference presentation by Douglas O. Lantagne, Dean and Director, University of Vermont Extension
- 17. Practice giving your 15 minute and 2- minute versions of your presentation. Determine who will take the lead to get the conversation rolling. As youth, you may choose to ask questions about how or why the Member or staffer got into his/her role of public service, or similar questions that will inform your potential interest in serving.
- 19. Take the Hill Explain relevance of Extension and 4-H Make sure all have a good understanding of what we do and what impact we were having in their districts. Fiscally conservative solution We address the cause of problems, not funding for the result of problems Localize Personalize Apply MAKE the ASK! Adapted from: Making Your Hill Visit Count, 2011 PILD Conference presentation by Jim Richards
- 20. Again, confirm your appointment the day before your visit. Arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled visit. Allow time for security checks at entrances. Dont be late! Dont be disappointed if your legislator is late. Dont be disappointed if your legislator is unable to meet with you, the aides will be knowledgeable about your problems and the legislators point of view. Dont overstay your welcome. Request to take a photo with your Congressman.
- 21. Find out what they are interested in. Keep notebook. Record when you meet and what you learned. Be specific about what programming is going on their district and what concerns they have that arent being addressed. Learned the art of button-holing outside the chambers in the months prior to the budget being approved. Meet before or after their regular meeting. Convenient for them.
- 22. Get business cards from everyone that you meet with. Complete a Summary Report of your visit to share with administrators back home. PILD Delegates will visit on April 24. Include: Name of Congressional Member visited (or Aide) Date of visit Names of 4-H Team who were part of the visit Major talking points Congress Member of Aide comments, requests, promises that require follow-up action Other comments/observations about the visit
- 23. Upon return, send follow-up email Thank them for meeting Remind them of your key messages Provide answers to any unanswered questions or additional information you promised. Work with your local or state office to visit your Member of Congress back home, or invite them to a prominent 4-H program. We need to communicate with them throughout the year, not just at budget time. Get to know their Legislative Assistants. Attend county events and find ways we can help them. Go where they are going to be.
- 24. Information learned during the National 4-H Conference, during Capitol Hill visits, and during other experiences had at Conference should be applied back in the states, counties and communities.
- 25. CONTACT INFORMATION Christopher Anderson 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Animal Science University of Maryland Extension Maryland 4-H Center 8020 Greenmead Drive College Park, MD 20740 Phone: 301-314-7187 FAX: 301-314-7146 Email: canders2@umd.edu
Editor's Notes
- #2: Introduce Self: