NBMO - Advocacy

As promised in the previous post, I will give you separate posts about topics learned at the New Board Member Orientation(NBMO) on Dec 15th.

Advocacy is the for topic I will discuss here.  As a Board Member, I am an advocate for the school and must advocacate for the district, schools, but most importantly our students.  New Board Members were informed of the many ways we can support our students.  We can serve on task forces and committees appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education and the Governor's Office, and testify before many state committees and commissions.  

Participating in the organized advocacy the ASBA offers gives us the opportunity to influence the yearly agenda by submitting proposals to ASBA's Legislative Committee.  Yes, this was certainly news to me.  As a member of Tombstone’s School Board, I could take part in effecting change in our legislature.  The Governmental Relations staff of ASBA works diligently with the state legislature and governor to ensure adequate state support of public education and the enactment of legislation that favors the interests of public schools and all the children who attend them.  

To get started I signed-up for Edlegnet – ASBA’s priority lobbying and e-mail list. I will now receive up-to-date important legislative issues and the State Board of Education and federal education matters.   I will also receive daily updates during the legislative session, economic forecasts for the state and country as well as key advocacy opportunities. These will give me important insider information on education bills, budget issues and other happenings at the Legislature that will directly impact our students. 

There is a  Delegate Assembly where representatives of ASBA member boards convene to decide the association's political position on the diverse interests of public school governing boards for the year ahead.  Each school district sends a delegate and alternate.  The delegate must be appointed, by the Board, during an open meeting.


It was also recommended that each district host an advocacy training workshop presented by Beth Sauer, Governmental Relations Analyst, in our community to advocate for public education.  These fast-paced, interactive trainings include:

• Brief introduction to the Arizona Legislature and bill process - as well as the opportunities available for you to make an impact!
• Do's and don'ts of effective advocacy - how to make the most of your time and efforts!
• How to organize the key players in your unique community to form a coalition to effectively lobby legislators on crucial education issues.
• How to utilize available resources to gain the necessary information and develop strategies to become a positive force for education.

I would happily coordinate this if it is what the community of Tombstone would like.  If you are a parent, administrator, teacher, district or school employee, student, community leader, city and town government official  or simply a person interested in working to support public schools and students simply e-mail me at lhritz@tombstone.k12.az.us to express your interest.