next step grassroots training. when we talk about making a difference in government, we first have...
TRANSCRIPT
Next StepGrassroots Training
When we talk about making a difference in Government, we first have to know how
Government works.
Local Governments
What types?
What do they do?
Who is involved?
Types
• City Council
• County Commission
• School District Board of Trustees
Other Taxing Entities
• Emergency Service Districts
• Community College Districts
• Municipal Utility Districts
City Government
Responsible for:• Municipal safety• Roads• Trash collection• Water/Sewage lines• Land use
City Council
Who:• Mayor• Council Members• City Attorney• City Manager• City Secretary
City Boards and Departments
Planning and Zoning CommissionParks and Recreation
LibraryMetropolitan Planning Organization
EngineeringFinance
Police and FireMunicipal Court
County Government
Responsible for:• County roads• County land use• County Law enforcement
Commissioners Court
Who:• County Judge• County Commissioners
Other Elected Officials • Sheriff• Tax Assessor-Collector• Justices of the Peace• Constables• County Clerk• County Treasurer• District Judges• District Attorney
School District Board
Responsible for:• Budget/ISD Tax Rate• Selecting Superintendent• Curriculum/Textbooks • Bond Elections
School Districts
Who:• Superintendent• Board of Trustees• School Administrators
Next StepGrassroots Training
Research
Who are your elected officials?
What does their voting record look like?
What is the debt incurred to date?
Places to find information, newspapers, internet search engines …
How to Find Information
Meetings
Government Resources
Media Resources
Meetings
Sample Council Agenda
Sample Council Agenda
Sample Council Agenda
Government Resources
www.cstx.gov
www.co.brazos.tx.us
www.csisd.org
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/snapshot/
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/adhocrpt/adpea.html
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
http://www.google.com/alerts
Opposition Research
Who are your potential opponents?
What are their points of views on your issue?
What have they said on your issue?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of their points of view?
Opposition Research
What will they do? What are their potential tactics?
What do they think about your group?
Next StepGrassroots Training
Using the Information You Get
Testimony at taxing entity hearings
Communicating with Legislators
Talking to the Press
Public Speeches to Groups
E-mail Updates to Volunteers
Web Site Postings
Using the Internet and New Media
Why you NEED to use the internet:
Communication with members Expose govt. corruption Take message to the media
Using the Internet and New Media
A number of websites offer free blog setup and hosting. Several good ones include:
http://www.wordpress.com
http://www.blogger.com
http://www.tumblr.com
Social Networking
– www.facebook.com
– www.twitter.com
– www.meetup.com
– www.flickr.com
– www.youtube.com
New Media and Old Media
How to pitch your website to journalists:
Do your homework on the journalist you want to pitch to:
Have they ever worked with bloggers? What beat to they cover? When was the last time they wrote a story? What was the last story about?
Have they ever written about your issue?
Getting Your Message Out Communications Strategy & Message
Develop relationship with press
Develop relationships with any “friendlies” you have found in the taxing authorities.
Identify local radio talk shows.
Working With The MediaPrepare, Prepare, Prepare
Research the Issue
Develop Media Lists
Write a Press Release
Be honest!
Getting Your Message Out Communications Strategy & Message
Identify groups you can talk to and get on the calendar.
Print up business cards with your name, the organization’s name. Leave in restaurants, places of business.
Letters to the editor, Opinion Editorials
Tips For Writing A Letter To The Editor
Include Your Contact Information
Be Clear and Concise
State Your Point Early
Keep to One Topic
Building Coalitions
Why Build Coalitions?
Strength in Numbers
We achieve more when we work together!
Communicating with Officials
REMEMBER:
The elected officials work for
you – they are literally your employees. So
be respectful, but don’t be intimidated!
TELEPHONING YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS' OFFICES
Do your homework before you call
Be short and to the point
Know your position, and if possible, the opposing argument and why it is flawed
Follow up with a letter
Extra Tips Write on personal or business stationery
Make it brief:
Discuss no more than one subject per letter
Begin your letter by identifying the specific legislation or proposal you are writing about
Be VERY clear without equivocating, what you want your official to do:
VOTE YES orVOTE NO
If You Receive A Non-Commital Response . . . .
Do not be surprised if a reply is noncommittal. A strong, neutral position is the easiest for an elected official to take.
Write back if the reply did not answer your questions, was ambiguous, or evaded the question.
In your brief follow-up letter or phone call, make two or three good points and restate your position and request.
Remind your elected official you are following the issue.
If You Disagree With Your Elected Official’s Opinion . . . .
Follow-up Letter
Express thanks for the response.
Express your disagreement, Refute your elected official's arguments, and Make a new point, if needed.
Ask a question or two, which will force your elected official to think about the issue and respond. (Again, remind him/her that you are following the issue.)
Do not delay in sending your follow-up letters!
Dealing with Retaliation
You May Get This……
Honorable City Council Members
AFP Citizen Watchdogs
…..If You Don’t Do This
BAN
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