1. Building Bridges with Elected Leaders

2. Derek Lewis, Executive Director, Greenville First Steps
Greenville County School Board
Liz Seman, Chief of Staff, Furman University
Greenville County Council
Kelly Byers, Director of Individual Giving, Peace Center
Travelers Rest City Council

3. What are the needs of your constituents
What are the needs of your constituents? How can policymakers impact those needs?

4. Don’t get overwhelmed: It’s all politics
Advocacy
Lobbying
Policy
Bills/Laws
Campaigns
FOIA
Constituents
Ethics
Networking
Unintended Consequences
Precincts
Primaries

5. Level 1: Identify Who is your elected official?
What does s/he care about?
What issues did s/he run to impact?
Does s/he share online?
Is it relevant to your needs?

6. Level 2: Engage and Speak Up
Follow elected leaders on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram
What policy changes would improve the lives of your clients, staff, community?
How can s/he help you with your work?
The World is full of “unintended consequences”
The dangers of “the Echo Chamber”

7. Level 3: Engage No one wants to look stupid! Does s/he share online?
Does s/he share accurate information?
Establish yourself as a reliable, trustworthy, subject matter expert.

8. Level 4: Get involved Build a coalition of supporters
Ask for a meeting
Invite her/him to speak to a supportive audience
Publicly share “wins”
Write draft revisions to pending policy

9. Level 5: Get your hands dirty
Help good people get elected
Host a meet and greet event to introduce your friends to candidates
Put a sign out in your yard
Step up! Run for office!