Setting a Political Course a simple guide “All politics is local” -Thomas P. O’Neill Team 839 : Rosie Robotics Agawam High School (Agawam, MA)

Town Work on campaigns –Get to know the players in each camp Attend meetings –Listen, Learn then Speak Citizen speak –Offer up solutions not just problems

Town and city boards Work on campaigns –Learn the ins and outs of the process Attend meetings –The deals are made here Speak at Public Hearings –Put your smiling face on TV and on the record

Clubs Join or get involved with Shriners, Lions, Rotary, etc –The movers and shakers of the community –Engineering opportunities will present themselves Participate (you and the team) –Volunteer at the Shrine circus, Leos Club (Lions for teenagers), Eye Mobile project through EPICS project, MIT/Lemelson Road Iron

Schools

School Administration Know them by name-Mary, Bill, John, etc –Parents need to know who the are Help when you can- setup for events, participate in activities – Freshman Night, bake sales Invite them to events –Most important!

School Committee Work on campaigns –Rosemary, Juzba, Young, Cavallo, Me Attend meetings –Get on camera, citizen speak, workshops Get them to talk about you –Wow’em Invite them to events –Most Important

Parent Groups This is supply line for Mentors –Welders, NEMs, machinists, writers, accountants PTO, PTSO, School Improvement Councils Join and participate- info tables No one wants student to succeed more than mom and dad

Party Affiliations Town Committees –Join, buy ads in books –Support them, they will support you Convention Delegates, become a delegate –Run with the Big Dogs –State level

State Team 842 Falcon Robotics is working on a directory for all state level Reps and Senators. Watch CD for more information

Party Committees Know who is in office –And their assistants Run for position –Even if you don’t win, they will remember your name

State Representative Know your representative’s name Work on the campaign –Hold a sign, answer a phone Know the name of local staff Write letters Visit the office Invite them to events

Senate Senator Know your senator’s name Work on the campaign –Hold a sign, answer a phone Know the name of local staff Write letters Visit the office Invite them to events

Executive Branch Work on the campaign –Hold a sign, answer a phone Know the name of local staff Write letters Visit the office Invite them to events

National

Congress Know your Congressman’s name Know the name of local staff Write letters Visit the office Invite them to events

Senators Names Know your Senators’ names Know the name of local staff Write letters Visit the office Invite them to events

Executive Branch Know the name of local staff Write letters Visit the office Invite them to events

Remember It is not who you know but who you know that knows.