Communicating with Policy Makers: A Toolkit

Table of Contents

Section One
Getting Involved
Red Bullet What is advocacy?
Red Bullet Why advocate for children?
Red Bullet Which type of advocate are you?
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Getting to know your elected officials
Red Bullet What can you do?
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Plan ahead
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Section Two
Speaking Out
Red Bullet Practice makes perfect
Red Bullet Suggestions for getting started
Red Bullet Informal presentations and impromptu speaking
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Learn to speak out
Red Bullet The 30-second rule
Red Bullet Action Agenda: The impromptu speech
Red Bullet Handling the tough questions
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Section Three
Working with the Media
Red Bullet Planning your media strategy
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Getting effective coverage
Red Bullet Tools of the trade
Red Bullet News releases
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Writing the news release
Red Bullet Reduce your news release hassles
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Promoting an event
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Section Four
Print Media
Red Bullet Letters to the editor
Red Bullet Op-ed articles
Red Bullet Distributing your op-ed article
Red Bullet Getting supportive editorials
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Making your editorial board meeting a success
Red Bullet Other print opportunities
Red Bullet Organizational newsletters and community magazines
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Section Five
Radio and Television
Red Bullet A broad audience
Red Bullet Talk radio
Red Bullet Live television
Red Bullet Action Agenda: You're on the air!
Red Bullet Airing public service announcements
Red Bullet Radio PSAs
Red Bullet Television PSAs
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Distributing radio or TV PSAs
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Section Six
Special Events
Red Bullet Details
Red Bullet Press conferences
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Organizing a press conference
Red Bullet Where to hold your press conference
Red Bullet The day of the event
Red Bullet Press kits
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Section Seven
Legislative Advocacy
Red Bullet Communicating with lawmakers
Red Bullet Get to know your legislator
Red Bullet Understand your legislator's viewpoint
Red Bullet Understanding the political process
Red Bullet How an idea becomes law
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Influencing the legislative process
Red Bullet Communicating with your legislator
Red Bullet Advocacy over the phone
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Calling your legislator
Red Bullet Telephone tips
Red Bullet Tips on visiting
Red Bullet Action Agenda: Meeting with your legislator
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Section Eight
Resource Guide
Red Bullet National organizations
Red Bullet Florida organizations
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Section Nine
Samples
Red Bullet Letter to the editor
Red Bullet Editorial
Red Bullet Op-ed article
Red Bullet Newsletter articles
Red Bullet Letter to TV or radio news director
Red Bullet Sample radio scripts for public service announcements
Red Bullet News/Press release sample one
Red Bullet News/Press release sample two
Red Bullet Attachment for News/Press release
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Section Ten
Internet Advocacy
Red Bullet It’s all about access
Red Bullet Not a magic pill
Red Bullet Ask yourself why
Red Bullet What’s in it for you?
Red Bullet Where can I go for help? Resources for Internet advocacy
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