what is advocacy? · 2017. 7. 20. · baltimore city civics 101 presenter: kristerfer burnett...
TRANSCRIPT
What is Advocacy?
▪ ADVOCACY (Noun / ad – vo – ca – cy)*
▪Definition of Advocacy
: the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal
Self-Advocacy
Individual Advocacy
Community Advocacy
Political/Public Advocacy
Baltimore City Civics 101
Presenter:
Kristerfer Burnett
Councilman Representing District 8
ELECTED ROLES
MayorComptroller
President of the City CouncilCity Council
State AttorneySheriff’s Office
Orphans Court for Baltimore City
72nd BALTIMORE CITY COUNCIL
POSITIONS HELD IN THE COUNCIL
I. President II. Committee Chairs
III. Individual Members
PresidentBernard “Jack” Young
Elected 2011 At-Large Seat
COUNCIL PRESIDENT
POWERS OF THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT
▪ Facilitates all city council meetings; maintains order ▪ Requests opinions from the City Solicitor ▪ Establishes standing committees (a min of 3 members each).▪ Can request a bill synopsis include a fiscal note on the effect of that bill on
revenues, expenditures, liabilities or assets of the city; ▪ Can request for representatives of city agencies to give opinions to the
City Council.▪ Can call a special meeting ▪ Decide committee chairs at will.
ROLE OF CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
▪ Must vote first on every issue & must vote on all question
▪ Assigns seats and offices
▪ Assign bills to committees
▪ Appoints nominating committees for any Council vacancies
▪ Assigns members and appoints the Chair & Vice Chair. (Committees)
▪ Post & distribute notifications about public hearings
▪ Waive requirement for a public hearing to be announced at a Council meeting
FUNCTIONS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Who makes up the City Council? - Elected officials that represent Baltimore city’s fourteen districts, along with the President of the City Council.
Legislation Actions- The city council acts only by ordinance, resolution, or motion. City Council decides on own rules of procedure, and its meetings are open to the public.
POWERS OF CITY COUNCIL
▪ To enact all ordinances and resolutions. ▪ To adopt and alter the annual budget▪ Confirm the Mayor's appointments.▪ The appropriation and issuance of bonds.
City Council Committee Structure
POWERS OF COMMITTEE CHAIRS
▪ Facilitates hearings and other committee meetings; maintains order.
▪ Reports committee recommendations to the City Council.
▪ Determines the best time for meetings and voting session.
▪ Can request a bill synopsis include a fiscal note on the effect of that bill on revenues, expenditures, liabilities or assets of the city.
▪ Can request an opinion of the general counsel or city solicitor.
ROLE OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
▪ Vote on issues with the right to explain their decision.
▪ Properly request an opinion from the City Solicitor.
▪ Approve or protest a bill.
▪ Introduce a bill (Submit the bill through DLS)
▪ Introduce an amendment during a 2nd or 3rd reading.
▪ Address the Council on points of personal privilege if integrity, character or motives have been questioned or a point of information when you are unclear what just happened.
▪ Demand a ‘roll call’ vote on any question.
▪ Suggest that a Quorum is lacking.
COUNCILMEMBER POWER –AMENDMENTS
▪ May be introduced on second or third reading
▪ May not be on a different subject or change the purpose of a bill
▪ Must be submitted and prepared through the Department of Legislative Services
INDIVIDUAL MEMBER DUTIES (COURTESY)
▪ Responding to constituent service requests.▪ Land Use - Re-zoning or planning development in district if
it’s entirely in your district & does not involve a financial benefit▪ Geographically based issue that only impacts your district
(parking permit areas)
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Voting Process
Minimum Votes Required-Under certain circumstances there needs to be a certain number of votes to go forward in a meeting. 8 Votes:Examples: Required to pass a bill;Adjourn, recess or suspend a meeting (Rule 2-4); Fill a vacancy in the City Council (Charter Art. III)
10 Votes:Examples: Amend Council rules (Rule 1-4); Suspend Council Rules (Rule 1-3)
12 Votes:Examples: Override a Mayoral Veto (Charter Art. IV), Advance a bill from first to second or second to third reading on the same day (Chart Art. III)
MAYOR
Catherine E. Pugh
POWERS OF THE MAYOR
1. Chief Executive Officer2. Member of the Board of Estimates 3. Proposes a City budget.4. Power to veto a bill from City Council5. Signs bills into law.6. Directs and appoints department heads.
MAYORAL OFFICES
MAYORAL CABINET
BALTIMORE CITY AGENCY LEADERS
BALTIMORE CITY AGENCY LEADERS (Continued)
BALTIMORE CITY AGENCY LEADERS (Continued)
BALTIMORE CITY PROGRAM DIRECTORS
Comptroller: Joan M. Pratt
➢Serve as a member of the Board of Estimates
➢Serve as a member of the Board of Finance
➢Supervises the department of audits and the activities of the city auditor as provided for in the charter.
➢Responsible for the proper conduct, management, and operation of the Department of Real Estate.
BOARD OF ESTIMATES
I. Mayor - Catherine PughII. President of the City Council – Bernard “Jack” Young
III. Comptroller – Joan M. Pratt, CPAIV. City Solicitor - David Ralph
V. Director of Public Works – Rudolph Chow
ROLE OF BOARD OF ESTIMATES
Executive Roles 1. President of the City Council is also the President of Board of Estimates2. City Comptroller also serves as the Secretary of the City Council
Purpose (Charter of Baltimore City- Article IV Section 2): “The Board of Estimates formulates and executes the fiscal policy of the city.”Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Promulgates rules, regulations, and conducts hearings. 2. Makes public the Director of Finance’s recommended operating budget.3. Makes public the Planning Commission's recommended capital budget and capital improvement
program. 4. Adopts a order of estimates. 5. Awarding contracts and supervising all purchasing by the city. 6. Bids made to the city in response to the formal advertising procedures are opened.
CITIZENS OF BALTIMORE
Photo Credit - Rob Brullinski
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED-HEARING
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED- HEARING
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Boards & Commissions▪70 Boards & Commissions▪Participation on a Board and/or
Commission to provide guidance on the policies and programs across Baltimore City
CALL TO ACTION
1. Advocate for issues that you believe the community needs.
2. Attend local community meetings and city council meetings.
3. Call the office of the Councilman who serves in your District.
4. Attend workshops or seminars that focus on the legislative process.
5. Call 311 or Download the ‘Baltimore 311’ mobile app and submit your concerns or request
services.
Advocacy for Yourself & Others
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” –attributed to the Dalai Lama XIV
SELF Advocacy - EVERY DAY▪Work
▪Home
▪Play
COMMUNICATION
Why Advocate?
“All disadvantaged persons need advocacy, privileged people get it without looking.”
– Wolf Wolfensberger
THOSE THAT NEED ADVOCACY THE MOST ARE THE LEAST LIKELIEST TO RECEIVE IT
▪ To provide accurate & timely information so decision-makers can make knowledgeable decisions
▪ Raise visibility of an important issue
▪ Make your concern a priority of others
Why Advocate?
The time is now!
You are the most passionate, knowledgeable expert on the issue that matters most to you!
The more people that speak up, the more attention, and resources your cause has the potential to receive.
You can’t expect other to be committed to something you are committed to.
You can make a difference…WE can make a difference.
Laws can be changed or improved.
Policy makers need your expertise
You have a story to tell.
If you’re not at the table, you’re on the table!
Individual Advocacy
Supporting someone when they need help or trying to find a solution when someone has a problem.
Examples:
• Writing or calling City Hall or 311 to address a community concern
• Helping someone at work who is having trouble understanding materials
• Recommending someone to or as a resource they were in need of
Individual Advocacy
“Young leader of Curtis Bay incinerator fight wins international award”
Today a student activist, who played an instrumental role in stopping a trash-burning power plant in South Baltimore, is being honored with a prestigious award in San Francisco
– Baltimore Brew, April 18, 2016
The governor of Maryland, the mayor of Baltimore, the United Steelworkers of America and even some members of her own South Baltimore community of Curtis Bay were welcoming the project being planned less than a mile from her school.
State environmental officials had signed off on a permit letting the plant burn each year 1.4 million tons of tires, plastic and construction waste and release tons of fine particulates, mercury, heavy metals and other toxins.
“Everything was stacked against us,” Watford said.Four years later, after concerted pressure from opponents including Watford and fellow members of Free Your Voice, a student-led committee of United Workers, the tide had turned. Last month, the state declared that Energy Answers’ permit to build the 160-megawatt trash-to-energy plant had expired.Destiny Watford
Individual Advocacy to Community Advocacy
Black Girls Vote
Mission:
Inspire women of color to use the political process to improve the quality of life for their families and the collective community.
Engage, educate, and empower women to activate their voice by utilizing their vote.
Baltimore to National Chapters
Voting Resource Information
blackgirlsvote.com
Don’t Forget Social Media Platform
Online tools, such as social media platforms, can help you be the best advocate you can be.
Social Media allows you to spread messages efficiently, effectively and to large numbers of people.
Know what technology your audience is mostly likely to use, then get the shares, likes, tweets, and posts out about your cause.
Boil down your issue and focus your message.
A message that is concise, specific and to the point will make a more lasting impact.
Effective Advocacy Suggestions
▪Research
▪Educate Elected Officials
▪Invite Stakeholders
▪Educate the Public
▪ Organize an Effort
▪ Write an Op-Ed
▪ Draft a Petition
▪ Collaborate with Others
Resources
▪ A New Wave of Power, People and Politics: The Action Guide for Advocacy and Citizen Participation by Lisa VeneKlasen & Valerie Miller, 2007.
▪ When We Fight, We Win: 21st Century Movements and the Activists that are Transforming our World by Greg Jobin-Leeds, 2016.
▪ American History Words of Fire: An Anthology of African American Feminist Thought by Beverly Guy-Sheftall, 1995
▪ Stir It Up: Lessons in Community Organizing and Advocacy by Rinku Sen, 2003
▪ Creative Community Organizing: A Guide for Rabble-Rousers, Activists and Quiet Lovers of Justice by Si Khan, 2010
*Black Girls Vote Web Site*
VISIT WWW.BMOREDISTRICT8.COM
CONTACT INFORMATION
Baltimore City Hall, 100 Holliday Street, Rm 521 Baltimore, MD 21202
Email: [email protected] Phone: (410)-396-4818
Fax Number: (410)-396-4828
Facebook: Councilman Kristerfer BurnettTwitter: @CouncilmanKBInstagram: @KristerferB
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