Legislative involvement: How you can take an active role

There’s more to teaching than what you do in the classroom. You’re subject to state laws and you benefit from state funding; so not only should you keep up with state issues, it’s in your best interest to take an active role in influencing them.

The best way to make teaching more effective, more attractive and more professional is to partner with TCTA in maintaining relationships with your state lawmakers. Helping the “good guys” get elected, keeping them in office, and making sure they know what teachers are thinking are all crucial aspects to making sure you have the tools you need to give your students the best possible education.

This fall teachers have a great opportunity to get involved by participating in state legislative elections. After November, it will be important to develop and maintain relationships with your elected lawmakers.

Campaign season

Campaign season is in full swing. If you’re aware of a candidate you would like to support, getting involved early is a great way to become known and establish the groundwork for a long-term working relationship.

Be sure to cover all of “the basics” outlined below; if you would like to help a particular candidate get elected, take at least three of the actions listed in the “what’s next” section also below.

The basics

Know your election dates. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, and early voting runs Oct. 20-31.

Identify the candidates. Go to TCTA’s TexasTeachersVote.org website for information on the candidates in your legislative districts.

Check the voting record and/or education positions of the candidates. Again, TCTA’s TexasTeachersVote.org is the place to go. Prior to the elections the site will include voting records of incumbent candidates, and survey responses for other candidates who chose to fill out our questionnaire on key education issues.

What’s next?

Now that you’ve determined there is a teacher-friendly candidate you would like to support, here’s how you can help:

• Contact the candidate to offer your assistance with his/her campaign. Since TCTA does not endorse candidates, you will need to offer assistance as an individual, not as a TCTA representative. Options include:

• Spread the word. Tell your friends and family, church acquaintances, etc., about the candidate and urge them to vote. Inform them of his/her pro-education positions, and direct them to the candidate’s website.

• Get local teachers excited and involved. Talk to your colleagues about how they can help the candidate’s campaign. Plan to carpool to your voting location and then proudly wear your “I VOTED!” sticker.

• Hold a candidate forum. TCTA has an information sheet on Planning a Candidate Forum that can help you get started.

• Check to see if the candidate has requested a contribution from ACT For TCTA (TCTA’s political action committee) and/or mailing labels from TCTA. Since TCTA does not endorse candidates, campaign contributions and mailing labels allow us to provide support for pro-education candidates.

• Take advantage of early voting. Teachers (and other busy people) often find it very difficult to get to polling places on Election Day. Early voting provides an easy opportunity to vote at a convenient time.

• Make a contribution - even a small one. Just $5 can buy two yard signs, and it only takes a few signs to make an impact on a single street. $5 also pays for five mailing pieces, five bumper stickers or an hour’s worth of time from a block-walker. If you can convince just a few others to contribute as well, suddenly you’ve made a big difference in a campaign.

Contacting your legislators now

The best time to make contact with your state senators and representatives is before the start of the legislative session. Whether you write, call or visit in person, it’s always best to start with a thank you, tell a little about yourself, then get to the point of the communication.

Map out the issues you’d like to cover and do your homework. Legislators expect you to be an expert on classroom issues, not state law, but having some familiarity with the basics is a must. Always be professional; try to relate all issues, including those concerning teacher pay and benefits, back to your students; and be concise. If you’ve scheduled a face-to-face visit, be sure to follow up with a thank you note.

The “GAIN” section of the TCTA website can help you determine who your legislators are and find additional contact information for them.

TCTA avoids providing form letters for our members – research and experience tell us that such communications are routinely ignored by policymakers. Individual communications relating personal experiences are the best way to get a point across. TCTA provides you with the background information you need to get started, and we’re happy to answer any specific questions you may have before you make those legislative contacts.

NOTE: School employees should use personal, rather than work, e-mail for communications regarding campaigns or elections.

Web posted: 07/30/08