A COLLECTION OF IDEAS CONCERNING WORKING WITH ELECTED
 OFFICIALS FROM SOUTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, AND GEORGIA

SOUTH DAKOTA
Don Guthmiller, Hamlin County Extension Educator

South Dakota has some specific rules regarding South Dakota State employees being in the state capitol while the state legislature is in session. They must contact the president of the university prior to attending. If any university employee wants to testify as a private citizen on a bill, they must specifically state so. It is strongly suggested that the University President be contacted prior to any attendance.

The South Dakota Extension Association (SCDCEA) is the umbrella group that is comprised of the South Dakota County Agents Association, the Extension Specialists Association, the South Dakota Extension Secretarial Association, the South Dakota Extension Agents Family and Consumer Sciences Association.

This group sponsors local community leader meetings across the state. These meetings are held prior to the legislative session. Those attending include local extension boards, county commission boards, state legislators, state fair boards and other community leaders. The purpose of this meeting is to tell the Extension Story. Local Extension Educators present impact bullets across all disciplines. These presentations are followed by presentations by the Dean of the Agriculture and Biological Sciences College, the Director of Agricultural Experiment Stations and the Director of Cooperative Extension.
There are more than 30 of these meetings held each year. The SCDEA reimburses local Extension Educators for meal expenses of the legislators and local leaders.

MINNESOTA
Dan Martens, Extension Technical Advisor
Benton, Morrison and Stearns Counties

Early in my career, after helping someone with a problem inevitably I would be asked what I was owed for my services. In the old days I would always say, “If you paid your taxes, you paid for my help”. Nowadays, there is a thought that maybe we as Extension Educators should charge for our services.

I think the service that we provide is education. Now, there is another answer to the question “What do I owe you?” The answer should be .37. Of course the explanation is that is the cost of sending a short note to an elected official at the local, state or federal level that says something in the order of “I got some help today from the U of M Extension Staff that made a difference for me. Thanks for supporting the U of M Extension Service. I hope you continue to take good care of the Extension Service.” I have printed out a list of addresses of commissioners, local legislators, federal representatives and senators. This sheet is given to people who ask “What do I owe you?” and then I suggest that they pick one of the officials on the sheet and write them a note.

After attending the PILD Conference, I think that I should include the addresses of the aides who work in the Office of Management and Budget.

Other Suggestions

• Ask and elected official to take a brief 2 hour drive with you and then talk to them about their concerns of the area they represent. While they are with you take them on a farm call.

• Offer your services as a resource if they need any research based information.

• Send them a short note about a program you are working on once or twice during the year.

• Write them a short thank you note for something that you have seen them do for the people in your county. Or, even “It was nice to see you on the truck in our community parade.

GEORGIA

• GACAA conducts FARM HOUSES for the Georgia Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and the County Commissioners Annual Meeting each year. These Farm Houses serve a meal comprised of Georgia Food Products to the audience. These food products are products grown in Georgia and are donated by Commodity Commissions and friends of Cooperative Extension. Also, at the Georgia Farm Bureau Annual Meeting the previous year’s DSA Winners are recognized by the President of Farm Bureau.

• On 4-H Day at the State Capitol the JCEP Team in Georgia delivers Georgia Food Products to legislative Offices and thanks those in the office for their support. Extension Agents also arrange for 4-H members to serve as pages for their legislators on this day.

• Legislative Meetings are held by State Senatorial Districts each fall. State Senators and Representatives are invited. Reports are given by program area to legislators. Reports are also provided by Extension Administration. Legislators are provided a publication that lists Extension Needs. This is done to ensure that all legislators receive the same message. At other times legislators are presented impact statements by local Cooperative Extension offices.

• Make sure that every County Agent has a good relationship with their legislators.

• JCEP Team Members meet quarterly with the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. This is done to make sure that each Association understands what is going on with administration and ensures that all Associations communicate the same message to decision makers.

• The Georgia Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences prepares and operates an educational display during the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia annual meeting.

• The Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents (GAE4-HA) plans and conducts “Oceans of Fun”, this is an educational event for children of members of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders. School Administrators bring their children to their annual meeting and state convention. GAE4-HA offers fun and educational activities for these children to keep them from being alone in a hotel room for hours each day of the convention. GAE4-HA also hosts a breakfast and or reception for the convention.

Introduction | Table of Contents | Citizen Advocacy | Dealing with Legislators | Communication | Decision Makers | Marketing Tips | Educating Decision Makers | Political Environment | Support Base | Advisory Boards | Perceptions | Ideas | Resource Links | Challenge | Credits