[NLA] Re: National Literacy Day -- Challenge

[Daphne Greenberg]

I would like to echo parts of Jon's message, especially: "... our low visibility on Capitol Hill and in the White House..." "... advocacy effectiveness?! This is not something you simply turn on whenever you want something. It must be nurtured continually."
I had a conversation recently with one of the nominees for the NIFL Board. I wondered whether the nominations had been confirmed and I was told that the rumor that was floating around Capitol Hill is that now that all the "hoopla" generated by adult literacy advocates about the nomineess has died down, there is no rush, because apparently, they are not upset anymore. I shared that from my perspective,we were still upset, but were under the impression that there was nothing more that we could do. I find it interesting that the fact that we have stopped making a lot of noise has been translated, at least by some, into the fact that we are not upset anymore! 


>>> jrandall at fedstrategics.com 07/03/02 13:02 PM >>>
I am less concerned WHEN we hold Natioanl Literacy Day and more concerned as to why a 15-year tradition ended after July 2, 2000. I am concerned that the end of this commemorative holiday may evince our low visibility on Capitol Hill and in the White House.

As an issue, National Literacy Day is small potatoes. The real concern is whether the adult literacy field has lost or visibility  on Capitol Hill and thereby its advocacy effectiveness?! This is not something you simply turn on whenever you want something. It must be nurtured continually. The staff turnover rate is tremendous and only the squeeky wheel gets the grea$e. Other worthy causes are left wanting.

**We all talk the TALK of literacy policy on the NLA but to what extent do we walk the WALK of advocacy with ur federal legislators? As in my previous posting, THIS IS NOT A RHETORICAL QUESTION.**

How many of the participants on this list have invited their Senators and Congressperson to visit thier programs? What has been the result? Nancy Hansen has -- and now she enjoys the ability to talk with Senator Daschle's staff about literacy. David has done the same with Senator Kennedy's office. They've established a dialogue. They're building poltiical capital. George Demetrion has done so too when we've mobilized for something. How about everyone else?

I'm advocating that we use this list to begin helping each other overcome the reluctance to extend that invitation, schedule that meeting, make that call, or write that letter. Participation on the NLA shows we have the time to do these things -- things that can make a big difference in our near-term future!

CHALLENGE:
Which state can get the greatest number of legislators to visit their programs by year's end? We can give a prize for actual number of visits (this is good for big states) and one for percentage of the legislative delegation (good for small states). Folks who have already had a legislator visit earlier this calendar year can count that visit. Who is up for this challenge! 

Jon Randall 
Public Policy Committee Chair
National Coalition for Literacy
www.natcoalitionliteracy.org

FedStrategics, LLC
strategic advocacy & public affairs consulting
to charitable organizations
www.FedStrategics.com

8413 Park Crest Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: (301) 588-5304   Fax: (301) 588-5353
jrandall at FedStrategics.com


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