| Advocacy is about empowerment...
It means speaking on behalf of yourself or another.
It means defending how you feel about something.
It means standing up for what you believe in.
Anyone can advocate, but to be an effective advocate you need to:
- Know the Issues - Learn everything you can about your subject.
- Know the Players - Elected officials listen to their constituents, the people who elected them.
- Know the Process - Learn about the process and the different ways your voice matters at different times.
- Know the Rules - There is a common misconception that nonprofit organizations cannot participate in lobbying activities. It's simply NOT TRUE!
Why Advocate?
Because our world is changing and we want our children to graduate with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.
In the 2001 legislative session, Minnesota parents saw rural, urban and suburban districts being pitted against one another to compete for insufficient resources. Learn more about the History of Parents United and check these resources to see why it's essential we build a strong statewide voice to support our public schools.
Public education: An American imperative - National School Boards Association Center for Public Education.
Why We Still Need Public Schools: Public Education for the Common Good, Center on Education Policy.
Learn. Vote. Act. The Public's Responsibility for Public Education - Public Education Network and Education Week.
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