[NLA] ACTION ALERT - FY03 Appropriations

[David J. Rosen]

  NLA Colleagues,

Below is a National Coalition for Literacy Action Alert.  I hope NLA 
list members will take seriously Jon Randall's and Jose Cruz's recent 
messages about the need to work together, to take action, and that you 
will report to the NLA list what your legislators say when you contact them.

Several years ago, as the NLA List's Tin Horn Dictator, I launched The 
Right to Complain Campaign. The campaign has one precept: if you do the 
work of adult literacy advocacy (visiting, calling, writing, and 
e-mailing national, state and local elected representatives) you have 
the right to complain about the conditions of our field. Here's a chance 
for advocacy newcomers to earn The Right to Complain.  

For those who already have earned the right, thanks and congratulations. 
Here's a new opportunity: You can earn The Privilege to Nag.  This is 
reserved for those who have visited with legislators, called and written 
them so many times that they know the legislators and their aides on a 
first name basis.

David J. Rosen
NLA List Moderator
<DJRosen at theworld.com>


>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
>
> [NIFL-COALITION:677] ACTION ALERT - FY03 Appropriations
> From:
>
> John Segota <jsegota at tesol.org>
> Date:
>
> Wed, 3 Jul 2002 17:05:35 -0400 (EDT)
> To:
>
> Multiple recipients of list <nifl-coalition at literacy.nifl.gov>
>
>
>Dear Coalition members,
>
>Here is the Action Alert to drive grassroots action to support the
>Coalition's funding request. Please share this with your members and
>encourage them to contact their members of Congress. This is especially
>important for those who have members who are constituents of those on the
>appropriations committees. I will send that list out under a separate
>header.
>
>
>ACTION ALERT - SUPPORT INCREASED FUNDING FOR ADULT LITERACY, LANGUAGE, AND
>EDUCATION
>
>Dear Literacy Friend:
>
>The National Coalition for Literacy asks you to urge your program's support,
>with others from across the nation, in carrying out two important
>communication activities that affect federal appropriations to adult
>education.  The Policy Committee of the National Coalition for Literacy and
>the Summit Initiative are coordinating this communication push.  Its purpose
>is to raise awareness about your program  and the need for support for adult
>education to your member of Congress and your two Senators. The National
>Coalition for Literacy has asked the following for FY 03 federal
>appropriations for adult education:
>
>* $1 billion for services under Title II of the Workforce Investment Act;
>* $20 million for Adult and Family Literacy National Activities, which
>includes $5 million for capacity building among national networks that
>support volunteer, library, adult learner, and community-based literacy
>organizations and coalitions;
>* $10 million for the National Institute for Literacy;
>* $1 billion for Reading First and $90 million for Early Reading First;
>* $300 million for Even Start; and
>* $7 billion for Head Start.
>
>*During the month of July you are encouraged to FAX and email your U.S.
>House member and your two members of the Senate.  Goal: three letters (one
>member of Congress and two Senators)  per program.
>
>*During the month of August, when your member of Congress and your Senator
>is "at home", visit him/her at their district office and/or invite them (or
>their surrogate) to visit your program.  Goal:  a personal experience by
>your congressional member or his/her key staff that is either an on-site
>visit to your program and/or a visit by you, students, volunteers, teachers,
>administrators or staff to the District office to talk to them.
>
>************************************
>FAX THEM IN JULY
>
>Who should communicate?
>Students, volunteers, teachers, administration, board members, and/or staff.
>
>================
>Tips on writing your FAX and email message (no letters, they don't get them
>any more).
>
>1.  State your purpose for writing in the first paragraph of the body and in
>the subject line if you are sending an email.   (The purpose is to ask them
>to support increased funding for adult education).
>2. Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples
>to support your position.
>3. Address only one issue in each letter and if possible, keep the letter to
>one page.
>4. Include your name, address, city, state, and zip.
>5.  Your FAX and email should follow the "look" of a traditional letter.
>
>================
>TEMPLATE
>
>Visit www.house.gov to find the FAX number for your member of Congress.
>Visit www.senate.gov to find the FAX number for your two Senators.
>
>Your are encouraged to use this template in writing your fax/email:
>
>The Honorable (full name)
>United States Senate
>Washington, DC  20510
>Dear Senator (Last Name):
>
>The Honorable (full name)
>United States House of Representatives
>Washington, DC  20515
>Dear Representative (Last Name):
>
>
>First Paragraph:  Explain who you are and why you are faxing/emailing 
>(to support adult education)
>
>Second Paragraph:  Draw on personal experience, a success story, and/or 
>testimonial.  Convey a personal touch.  Show your emotions and passion!  
>Tie this into how adult education made this possible.
>
>Closing:  Re-state the importance of their support for adult education.
>
>***************************
>
>INVITE THEM FOR A VISIT IN AUGUST
>
>*In July send a FAXED invitation to your Congressional member inviting
>him/her to visit your program.
>
>*Tell him/her you plan to invite the media and list the media you will
>invite, especially TV stations.
>
>*Give him/her a time frame for this event rather than a specific date so
>s/he can choose a convenient date.
>
>*Ten days after you fax the invitation, follow up with a phone call to
>his/her office and ask to speak to the appointments secretary.  Per
>persistent.  This may take a few calls.
>
>*Once a date is set, send  and thank you/confirmation and include briefing
>materials about your program, scope of illiteracy in his/her district and
>nation, and information about your program's results (successful students).
>
>*Create a successful visit by being prepared.  Make sure students talk to
>him/her, volunteers/board members, and community leaders who support your
>program.  
>
>================
>VISIT THEM AT THEIR DISTRICT OFFICE
>
>If your House or Senate member cannot visit your program, make an
>appointment to visit them in August.
>
>*Call their District Office in July (visit www.house.gov and www.senate.gov
>for your members' office location and phone number) and ask to speak to the
>appointment secretary.  Explain your purpose/what you wish to discuss, and
>who you represent.
>
>*Plan your visit carefully.  Be clear about what it is you want to achieve.
>
>*Be prompt and patient.
>
>*Be prepared.  Bring information and materials about your program, your
>business card, literacy statistics for your district/state, and a copy of
>the Action Agenda for Literacy (download one at
>www.nationalliteracysummit.org).
>
>*Be Political. Whenever possible, demonstrate the connection between what
>you are requesting and the interests of the member's constituency.
>
>*Be responsive.  Answer questions and provide additional information. "I
>don't know but will find out" is good; it gives you the opportunity to get
>back to your member with the information they requested.
>
>
>

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