JCEP Challenge 2006

The Public Affairs Committee is challenging every state to get 100% of their members to accept the Challenge 2006 to INFORM, INVOLVE AND EDUCATE PUBLIC POLICYMAKERS!

• Do policymakers in your county know about your Extension programs and the difference they make for local clientele?? Policymakers might be county and city officials, state legislators, senators and congressional representatives and university administrators. If you or your clientele don’t educate them, WHO will?!?
• Be part of JCEP Challenge ‘2006! Check all that you currently do or have done.
• Star those you WILL do before September 2006!!

Become Informed

• Find out about current legislative efforts by your university, state Extension system or state professional associations
• Attend the annual Joint Council of Extension Professionals -Public Issues Seminar in Washington D.C.
• Subscribe to the e-mail congressional/USDA update
• Participate in legislative and issues training by League of Women Voters, Extension or family coalitions
• Attend local events, such as legislative coffees, and meet your policy-makers
• Learn the names and expertise of the staff in your congressional offices
• Learn about your congress person's committee assignments
• Learn which issues are important to your congressional or local policymaker
• Work with an “experienced public policy buddy” to learn new skills
• Network with clientele or co-workers who already know your policymakers or their staff
• Know your university's legislative liaison staff and be familiar with their agenda
• Spend a day at the state legislature

Inform Policymakers

• Send fact sheets and program impact or success stories to policymakers
• Be sure policymakers know about Cooperative Extension, its mission, how it works & program impacts
• Encourage clientele to call, write or visit a policymaker’s office (local, state or federal) regarding issues they are concerned.
• Call or visit a policymaker’s office with program information to introduce yourself
• Identify clientele who know policymakers and can “tell your story"
• Offer assistance in researching family and consumer issues and local data
• Train 2-10 volunteers or clientele in public issues skills
• Sponsor a local event for clientele to inform decision-makers' about the impacts of Extension programs
• Add policymakers and their staff to Extension newsletter mailing lists
• Inform congressional staff and members that "families, youth and consumers," “nutrition education” and "urban Extension programs" are part of the the Farm Bill
• Use video and brief messages to tie programming to legislative agendas

Involve Policymakers

• Invite policymakers to present volunteer awards or speak at recognition event
• Organize a forum on a local public issue and involve policymakers as part of the forum
• Use policymakers’ resources as you research data for program planning
• Invite congressional staff or spouse to participate in planning groups
• Routinely invite policymakers and their staff to local Extension programs
• Ask policymakers to co-sponsor a contest or special education event, such as family photo contest or strengthening families workshop or anti-hunger conference
• Ask city mayor, council person, or legislator to judge appropriate events and participate in other activities.

Get Involved as a Citizen and Voice Your Opinions

• Vote in all elections
• Join your state association public affairs committee
• Be part of a legislative phone network
• Call or visit a policymaker’s office (local, state or federal)
• Write a letter to your congress person about an issue of interest
• Encourage friends and colleagues to write congress about an issue
• Write your state or federal policymakers to thank them for votes strengthening families
• Volunteer on a local election campaign
• Join an association Public Affairs Committee
• Support a local coalition concerned with family and consumer legislative issues

For More Information

“So You Want to Make a Difference,” N. Amidei, OMB Watch, 1731 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1146
“Citizens and Politics,” Kettering Foundation, 200 Commons Rd. Dayton, Ohio 45459-2799
“Communicating with Decision Makers,” Michigan State University Extension, 323 Natural Resources, East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

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