Next Step Grassroots Training. When we talk about making a difference in Government, we first have to know how Government works.

Next StepGrassroots Training

When we talk about making a difference in Government, we first have to know how

Government works.

Local Governments

What types?

What do they do?

Who is involved?

Types

• City Council

• County Commission

• School District Board of Trustees

Other Taxing Entities

• Emergency Service Districts

• Community College Districts

• Municipal Utility Districts

City Government

Responsible for:• Municipal safety• Roads• Trash collection• Water/Sewage lines• Land use

City Council

Who:• Mayor• Council Members• City Attorney• City Manager• City Secretary

City Boards and Departments

Planning and Zoning CommissionParks and Recreation

LibraryMetropolitan Planning Organization

EngineeringFinance

Police and FireMunicipal Court

County Government

Responsible for:• County roads• County land use• County Law enforcement

Commissioners Court

Who:• County Judge• County Commissioners

Other Elected Officials • Sheriff• Tax Assessor-Collector• Justices of the Peace• Constables• County Clerk• County Treasurer• District Judges• District Attorney

School District Board

Responsible for:• Budget/ISD Tax Rate• Selecting Superintendent• Curriculum/Textbooks • Bond Elections

School Districts

Who:• Superintendent• Board of Trustees• School Administrators

Next StepGrassroots Training

Research

Who are your elected officials?

What does their voting record look like?

What is the debt incurred to date?

Places to find information, newspapers, internet search engines …

How to Find Information

Meetings

Government Resources

Media Resources

Meetings

Sample Council Agenda

Sample Council Agenda

Sample Council Agenda

Government Resources

www.cstx.gov

www.co.brazos.tx.us

www.csisd.org

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/snapshot/

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/adhocrpt/adpea.html

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/

http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

http://www.google.com/alerts

Opposition Research

Who are your potential opponents?

What are their points of views on your issue?

What have they said on your issue?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of their points of view?

Opposition Research

What will they do? What are their potential tactics?

What do they think about your group?

Next StepGrassroots Training

Using the Information You Get

Testimony at taxing entity hearings

Communicating with Legislators

Talking to the Press

Public Speeches to Groups

E-mail Updates to Volunteers

Web Site Postings

Using the Internet and New Media

Why you NEED to use the internet:

Communication with members Expose govt. corruption Take message to the media

Using the Internet and New Media

A number of websites offer free blog setup and hosting. Several good ones include:

http://www.wordpress.com

http://www.blogger.com

http://www.tumblr.com                    

Social Networking

– www.facebook.com

– www.twitter.com

– www.meetup.com

– www.flickr.com

– www.youtube.com

New Media and Old Media

How to pitch your website to journalists:

Do your homework on the journalist you want to pitch to:

Have they ever worked with bloggers? What beat to they cover? When was the last time they wrote a story? What was the last story about?

Have they ever written about your issue?                

Getting Your Message Out Communications Strategy & Message

Develop relationship with press

Develop relationships with any “friendlies” you have found in the taxing authorities.

Identify local radio talk shows.

Working With The MediaPrepare, Prepare, Prepare

Research the Issue

Develop Media Lists

Write a Press Release

Be honest!

Getting Your Message Out Communications Strategy & Message

Identify groups you can talk to and get on the calendar.

Print up business cards with your name, the organization’s name. Leave in restaurants, places of business.

Letters to the editor, Opinion Editorials

Tips For Writing A Letter To The Editor

Include Your Contact Information

Be Clear and Concise

State Your Point Early

Keep to One Topic

Building Coalitions

Why Build Coalitions?

Strength in Numbers

We achieve more when we work together!

Communicating with Officials

REMEMBER:

The elected officials work for

you – they are literally your employees. So

be respectful, but don’t be intimidated!

TELEPHONING YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS' OFFICES

Do your homework before you call

Be short and to the point

Know your position, and if possible, the opposing argument and why it is flawed

Follow up with a letter

Extra Tips Write on personal or business stationery

Make it brief:

Discuss no more than one subject per letter

Begin your letter by identifying the specific legislation or proposal you are writing about

Be VERY clear without equivocating, what you want your official to do:

VOTE YES orVOTE NO

If You Receive A Non-Commital Response . . . .

Do not be surprised if a reply is noncommittal. A strong, neutral position is the easiest for an elected official to take.

Write back if the reply did not answer your questions, was ambiguous, or evaded the question.

In your brief follow-up letter or phone call, make two or three good points and restate your position and request.

Remind your elected official you are following the issue.

If You Disagree With Your Elected Official’s Opinion . . . .

Follow-up Letter

Express thanks for the response.

Express your disagreement, Refute your elected official's arguments, and Make a new point, if needed.

Ask a question or two, which will force your elected official to think about the issue and respond. (Again, remind him/her that you are following the issue.)

Do not delay in sending your follow-up letters!

Dealing with Retaliation

You May Get This……

Honorable City Council Members

AFP Citizen Watchdogs

…..If You Don’t Do This

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