1. You and your role as a SkillsUSA Member.
Legislative Advocacy
You and your role as a SkillsUSA Member.

2. What Is Advocacy?
The act or process of pleading in favor of a particular cause.

3. Keep your focus simple and to the point.
What’s our CAUSE?
Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) – your pathway area
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) - SkillsUSA
Keep your focus simple and to the point.

4. Why You?
SkillsUSA Members are our best resource in getting the word out about CTAE and CTSOs.
You are from across the state so you are able to connect with a multitude of legislators.
You represent a cross section of urban, suburban, rural, large and small communities - all with different success stories as well as challenges that are faced.
You put a face to CTAE and CTSOs!

5. Why Is It Important? Puts your program in the spotlight.
Lets policy makers know what is happening in the “real world” of education
Local connections make an impact on policymakers
You can protect CTAE and CTSOs! The future of career, technical and agricultural education depends on you!

6. Legislative Agenda and Priorities:
Keep your message simple and focused – they do not expect you to know everything but to simply share your story as to why CTAE and CTSOs are important to you.

7. Legislative Agenda and Priorities:
Protect and monitor the current CTAE funding in the FY10 Supplemental and FY11 Budgets to ensure maintenance of current levels.
Reinforce the role that CTAE plays at the local level in the areas of workforce development and high school completion.

8. Legislative Agenda and Priorities:
Continue to provide leadership and support for Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTI, DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, and TSA).
Participate in CTAE as well as CTSO activities to gain a better understanding of the programs and the benefits that they offer student members.

9. Benefits of Advocacy
When key legislative decisions need to be made that impact CTAE and CTSOs – they know who we are – they can put a face to it! Not just words on paper but legislators understand who they are impacting.

10. Advocacy is NOT a one shot deal!
CTSO Legislative Luncheon
so many more opportunities and most you have to create. . .
Visit local offices when not in session
Invite legislators to your school, regional, state and national functions
Advocacy does not have to be face to face. ..
Include legislators in your mailings of magazines, newspapers, cards, etc.