“We will be eternal advocates.”- T & S Cone

What is Advocacy

• Advocacy is the process of making one’s views count in the decision making process.

• Advocacy is communication with a purpose.

What is Advocacy

• As an advocate you seek to convey a message that will reach the hearts and minds of a targeted audience in order to influence the course of events.

• As an advocate you may be performing as an individual or be part of a team.

What is Advocacy

• Advocacy includes many different approaches, strategies and activities. There is not one way to advocate for your cause.

Proactive Advocacy

• Actively promoting your program on an ongoing basis.

• Frequently communicating information about your program to parents, administrators and the community.

Proactive Advocacy

• Being aware of changes in school policy, goals, scheduling, budget process, or changes in personnel.

• Becoming involved in school or district activities that go beyond your own program

What Can You Do To Be Proactive?• Submit articles to the school newsletter

• Present your program at a PTO/PTA meeting

• Organize a special event such as a “Field Day”, “Gym Show” “Family Fitness Night” “Fitness Run” “Recreational Sport Day” or “Dance Performance”

What Can You Do To Be Proactive?• Send an invitation to parents to

observe your program

• Ask parents to volunteer for a special event.

• Prepare a fact sheet about your program for parents.

What Can You Do To Be Proactive?• Serve on school and district committees.

• Contact the local newspaper to highlight your program or special event.

• Collaborate with another teacher to plan an implement an interdisciplinary lesson.

What Can You Do To Be Proactive?• Set up a bulletin board displaying

information about your program.

• Inform parents about content addressed during each marking period.

• Create a Health or Physical Education web page for your program.

What Can You Do To Be Proactive?• Produce a video that demonstrates

your program. Show the video at “Back to School Night” (http://youtu.be/VVkGGXb0LgU)

• Send a monthly calendar of Health and Physical Education activities students can do outside of school.

What Can You Do To Be Proactive?• Send students home with Health or

Physical Education homework.

• Make a presentation to the local school board about your program.

• Engage in community sponsored events.

What Can You Do To Be Proactive?• Join your state and national

AHPERD associations.

• Continue to read professional journals, books, web sites and other information to remain current.

What Can You Do To Be Proactive?Generate interest in the Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance

http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/health_and_academics/index.htm#3Reference