1. Stand for Fulbright Grassroots Advocacy Training 2018
Max Burns, PhD
Former President, Gordon State College
Fulbright Senior Scholar, Sweden
Former Congressman, GA-12

2. Welcome and Introduction
Greetings and Welcome
Introduction to this Webinar:
Renew the Stand for Fulbright campaign
Underscore the importance of grassroots advocacy
Train chapters to roll out their advocacy outreach in coordination with FA at the local level
Brief you on our “Ask” and messaging
Train (or remind) you how to meet with members of Congress and/or staff in district and state offices

3. Your Participation in this Webinar
We will first have the training
Then we will answer your written questions
To ask questions, use the “Chat” function to submit them throughout this webinar
If you are seeing this webinar as a recording and have questions, or if you have questions later, please us:

4. You believe in Fulbright’s Mission
The Fulbright Program changed your life, like it has for 380,000 alumni worldwide
An anchor to international diplomacy for 70 years, now in 165 countries
A powerful force for peace and understanding

5. Fulbright Program is Vulnerable
The Program is appropriated by Congress each year, so one year’s funding is no guarantee it will continue
The Fulbright Program has no endowment, no “foundation,” no independent source of funds
Members of Congress and their staff turnover quickly, and memory of Senator Fulbright is fading—so they may not know the Program, its impact, or its history

6. The current Administration proposes to cut Fulbright—again!
47% cut proposed in 2017 for FY18
Through our advocacy efforts, 91% of Congress was contacted
Nearly 12,000 alumni and friends signed the petition
Held 2 Advocacy Days with over 200 meetings
Defeated by the Stand for Fulbright Campaign and bipartisan support in Congress
71% cut proposed this year for FY19
Through our nationwide advocacy efforts we need you to again Stand for Fulbright

7. What is advocacy?
Advocacy is the process of educating Congress on an issue or program. It is a key role for FA.
We want Congress to make informed decisions about funding the Fulbright Program
You can best share the Fulbright story with decision makers
Why is the Fulbright a smart investment for U.S.?
What has been the impact on you, your organization, community, state & nation?
The Fulbright Community—past and future— needs you to tell that story to save the program

8. Stand for Fulbright An integrated campaign
All In: Petition, Write-In, Call-In
March 5-20: We invite friends of international education to Stand for Fulbright, asking to not support an Admin- proposed 71% cut and help restore funding at $252m
National: Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
March 21: Alumni and friends make scheduled visits with Members of Congress to advocate for the Fulbright
Grassroots: Visits to District and State Offices
March 23-April 6: Building on momentum
Grassroots contact will be unique and powerful
Local offices are often overlooked, and there is a greater chance to meet with members/senators directly, increasing your impact

9. First steps Identify the decision maker
Who are your Representative and Senators?
House.gov – Click on “Find your Representative’
Senate.gov – Click on “Senators”
These will give you names, district/state office locations
Reach out to the FA Office by March 5
Send an to
Tell us what office/s you can visit in your area
We will connect you with chapters, who will schedule visits, March 23-April 6 (please be flexible on timing). They will contact you with visit details

10. Chapter Coordination
Chapter Presidents or Advocacy Directors will receive a list of regional volunteers from the FA Office on March 5, with contact information and names of Representative and Senators
Reach out to those volunteers, sharing all info
Contact the respective congressional offices, asking for an appointment to discuss the Fulbright Program between March 23 and April 6 (the Easter Recess). Be flexible!
Tell the volunteers the date, time and location
Inform the DC office, which will support you and send you materials for meeting/s

11. Preparing for the Meeting/s
Review the Ask/Messaging and other resources available at fulbright.org/advocacy; FA Office will mail you a “leave behind” folder
Research online more about your representative and senators, focusing on foreign policy and education positions; know committees and hashtag
Speak by phone with the other advocates on your team to agree on logistics (where, when) and roles
Who takes the lead?
What order will you tell stories? (Be aware of time)
Who asks to not support cuts proposed by the Administration and to support increased funding?
Who closes the meeting?

12. At the meeting (Part 1) Remember that time is limited
Introductions: Where you live, where you did a Fulbright (as appropriate), what you do now
Remind them you are there to support the Fulbright Program, and to help them better understand its importance and impact
Tell stories of your experience, as it illustrates the messages. This is the primary value you bring to the meeting.

13. At the meeting (Part 2) Give the member/staffer the “Ask/Message”
Ask them to not support the 71% Administration- proposed cut
Urge them to help restore funding at $252m (if asked, this is a 5% increase over FY18 funding at $240m; 4 years of 5% increases restores 2010 funding)
Explain that Fulbright, “A Smart Investment,” contributes to…
National Security thanks to friends and alliances
Local Economies through visiting Fulbrighters and local alumni
International Education through research and teaching exchanges, including strategic languages

14. At the meeting (Part 3) If needed, explain the features of the Program
The world’s largest exchange program to/from countries
2/3 of grantees are in-bound internationals, spending locally (and on restricted J-1 visas that require they return home)
Foreign governments contribute $103 million, often more than the U.S. to some programs (e.g., Germany)
1,300 U.S. universities and colleges nationwide have grant recipients
The “Fulbright” name is admired worldwide

15. Tips for Success
Stay positive: Do not criticize them or the Administration (do not even mention the president)
Keep it bipartisan: The program has friends in both parties; talking to you about Fulbright is a relief from conflict—keep it that way!
Stay focused: Do not bring up other issues and keep on message
Make it personal: Memorable meetings feature stories of impact, not budgets
Be yourself and have fun!

16. As you leave…
Thank them for their time, attention and public service (they rarely get that thanks)
Ask them if they need any further information (relay that need to
Tell them you appreciate their support for the Fulbright Program, give them leave behinds
Get business cards to send a follow up and include them on chapter event invitations
If a member/senator, get a group photo to post and send to

17. After your meeting…
Report on meeting to including whom you met and contact info
Post w/pictures to social media, include hashtag #StandForFulbright and the member’s/senator’s hashtag, and share with the FA Office
Write to the member or staff, thanking them
Become active in your chapter, become an Advocacy Coordinator to involve others in grassroots work
Develop an Advocacy Plan for your chapter, including meetings during August Recess, attending town halls/ “Listening Sessions,” and invitations to Congressional offices for events. (Consult/coordinate w FA Office.)

18. Questions Good luck as you Stand for Fulbright and thank you!