Building and Leading a State Advocacy Network

1
Building and Leading a State Advocacy Network

• Michael Manos, Colorado Chapter of ASPIRE
• Sidney Childs, Ohio Association of Educational
  Opportunity Program Personnel (OAEOPP)
• Janet Tauer, Minnesota TRIO

2
State Advocacy Effortsin Colorado

• Michael Manos, President
• Colorado Chapter of ASPIRE
• March 11, 2007

3
The Times They Are a Changing

• State advocacy was nice to do but is now have
  to do

4
Why State Level Advocacy Became Critical in
Colorado

• Colorado Paradox brought more attention to
  college access programs
• Laws passed that directly impact TRiO students
  and programs
• Example Pre-collegiate database law
• Limited funding at federal level necessitates
  looking for funds elsewhere

5
State Level Advocacy in the Past

• Colorado ASPIRE President did most of it with one
  or two members helping
• Provided general information on TRiO
• Invited state legislators to state TRiO Day
• A few individual meetings with state legislators
• Did not get involved in state level issues
• Reacted to events

6
Actions Taken This Year

• Expanded participation in government relations
• Federal Subcommittee (four members)
• State Subcommittee (six members)
• Established goals, objectives and
  responsibilities for state government relations
  committee

7
State Government Relations Sub-Committee
Responsibilities

• Develop Policies for state government relations
• Develop and communicate a consistent message
• Develop and maintain relationships with members
  of General Assembly
• Monitor legislation within the General Assembly
• Coordinate the government relations aspects of
  TRiO Day Celebration
• Develop relationships with other pre-collegiate
  providers
• Keep membership informed

8
State Sub-Committee Goals

• Increase contacts and influence in the Colorado
  General Assembly
• Arrange for Dr. Mitchem to address the General
  Assemblys Education Committee
• Arrange for Governor and a large number of
  legislators to attend TRiO Day event
• Resolve the Pre-collegiate Database issue

9
State Sub-Committee Goals (continued)

• Advocate for voluntary partnerships rather than
  increased regulation
• Establish policies and procedures for conducting
  government relations activities at the state
  level
• Establish permanent presence (office) near
  legislature

10
Significant Activities

• Colorado House Bill 07-1098
• Provided input into language
• Testified before House Education Committee in
  support of bill
• Presentation to joint session of House and Senate
  Education Committees
• Hosted approximately 15 legislators at state TRiO
  Day Luncheon
• Governor signed Colorado TRiO Day Proclamation
• Met individually with key individuals

11
Individual Meetings

• Chair, House Education Committee
• Governors Educational Advisor
• Chief Policy Advisor for Speaker of House
• Individual members of General Assembly
• Staff of Bell Policy Center

12
The Future

• Encourage House Appropriations Committee to pass
  HB07-1098
• Further define and communicate how we fit into
  the states overall pre-collegiate effort
• Maintain continuity in membership of state
  government relations committee
• Document procedures
• Meet with legislators after current session
• Outreach to other organizations
• Seek training

13
Contact Information

• Michael Manos
• Director, Southern Colorado Educational
  Opportunity Center
• [phone]
• michael.manos_at_colostate-pueblo.edu

14
OAEOPP

• Not the only game in town
• Relationship Building
• Educate Others