Texas State Organization Legislation Committee

Legislative Purposes: To initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interest of education and of women educators To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society

Suggestions for Programs: Invite your legislator to a meeting during the time the legislature is NOT in session Invite your State Board of Education member to be a guest speaker at a chapter meeting Contact your U.S. Congressman to share input regarding Alpha State’s Legislative priorities. Ask a School Board member to attend a chapter meeting.

When Planning Programs to Share with Your Chapter, Work With: Program Committee Music Committee Research Committee Yearbook Committee Professional Affairs Committee Personal Growth and Services Committee

Keep in Mind: The society cannot endorse a candidate or spend money for a candidate’s campaign. The society cannot initiate, endorse, or support legislation unless it relates to the improvement of education or the status of educators.

Participate in political forums and rallies: DKG Chapter and Area meetings DKG State Conventions Texas Political Forum National Political Forum

Questions For Each Action We Support Or Do Not Support

Questions For Exploration

Remain Informed! Inform Your Chapter To Locate Mobile numbers of legislators: Capital Guides League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund 1212 Guadalupe St. # 107 Austin, TX

Online Legislative Alerts and Updates Dr. Angela O. Bedenbaugh Texas Legislative Online Texas Education Agency The Education Advocate Online Children’s Defense Fund Update List House Education and the Workforce Committee Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (PoliticsOL.com Editor) American Society for Curriculum and Development (ASCD SmartBrief)

Collaborate with other professional organizations (these organizations also provide legislative alerts): TCTA (Texas Classroom Teachers Association) TEPSA (Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association) ATPE (Association of Texas Professional Educators) 305 E. Huntland Dr. Suite 300 Austin, TX TSTA (Texas State Teachers Association) Texas Retired Teachers Association Contact college and university political science departments

Electronic Contact -Websites: White House Senators Representatives Governor Congress Elected officials -Tweet a message to your representative -Blog - Facebook of legislators - Youtube

Web Sites for Texans: Texas Legislature On Line Texas Legislative Council Texas State Board of Education ww.tea.state.tx.us/sboe The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Alpha State

Communicating with Policy Makers 1. Office Visits 2. Telephone Calls and s 3. Writing Letters

Communicating with Policy Makers 1. Office Visits: Personal visits, alone or in a small group, are the most effective way to communicate with policy makers. Schedule an appointment and indicate who will be present. Draft an agenda, list issues to be discussed and decide who will speak. Provide a written one-page summary of your position on each issue to be discussed. Arrive on time and leave on time. Be open to, and ready for questions. If you do not know the answer, provide an answer later. Ask for the lawmaker’s support of your issues. Thank them for his/her time.

Communicating with Policy Makers 2. Telephone Calls and s These methods are effective, especially when timing is critical and a policymaker’s support or vote is needed immediately. State your name and place of residence. Ask to speak to the lawmaker or aide. Identify the issue or specific bill. Give bill number and name, if possible. Explain briefly why the bill is important in your district. State your position. Ask the legislator for support, or to vote against the bill.

Communicating with Policy Makers 3. Writing Letters Letters not only alert policymakers to your views, but they also help educate legislators about issues. Use when time is not critical. Write by hand or type in your own words. Do not use form letters. Be brief and to the point; limit your writing to one page. Identify the issue clearly. State how the issue will effect the legislator’s constituents. Be informed and accurate. State your position. State the position of Delta Kappa Gamma members in Texas, if you know the position. Ask for the legislator’s support.

All elected officials should be addressed as: The honorable (name). The House of Representatives P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX Texas Senators P.O. Box Austin, TX Governor’s Office P.O. Box Austin, TX After action has been taken, follow up by communicating your appreciation and/or disappointment.

U.S. Senators From Texas Sen. Kay B. Hutchison (202) Effective 1/20/13 we will have a new Senator Sen. John Cornyn (202) U.S. House of Representative Name: ______(for your district)___________

Communicating with Policy Makers Do’s and Don’t’s Meetings Letters Phone Calls Keeping in Touch Visiting Elected Officials

Dates of Interest: Sept. 7First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail Oct. 9Last Day to Register to Vote Oct. 22 First Day of Early Voting Oct. 30Last Day to Apply for Ballot by mail (Received, not postmarked) Nov. 2Last Day of Early Voting Nov. 6, 2012Election Day Jan. 8, rd Legislature Convenes at noon May 27,2013Last Day of 82nd Legislature regular session Oct 24, 2012 Texas Conference for Women Austin, TX Conv. Ctr. Nov , 2013 State Board of Education Meeting

TSO Capitol Rally Date to be announced Late February, Early March

Alpha State Legislation Committee Committee Chairman: Suzanne Bathe, Lambda Gamma, Area 18 Committee Members: Laura SchmidtKappa Pi, Area 1 Pat Brashear Zeta Rho, Area 5 Betty PeeblesKappa Pi, Area 2 Latrese LytleLambda Mu, Area 13 Ruthie Estes Delta Mu, Area 3 Janie WigleyGamma Eta, Area 12 Carolyn Grantham Mu Kappa, Area 15 Rexena “Celina” Walden Iota Eta, Area 11 Charlotte NymanAlpha Pi, Area 17 Marilyn LeasureBeta Gamma, Area 16 Anne ButcherKappa Psi, Area 9 Bobbi DuncanTheta Mu, Area 14 Wynonna LipsettTau, Area 8 Ann HunterAlpha Chi, Area 7 Emma Jean Tanner Eta Omega, Area 4 Mary Jo RiojasKappa Delta, Area 10 Joanne Davis, ex officio Beta Zeta, Area 6

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International