Here are the top ten state team advocacy goals for promoting support of language education. Use these goals to set up action plans for your community!
- Proclamation from an elected official in Support of Language Education
This proclamation can be requested from any elected official at the federal, state or local level. This proclamation can be used to further advocacy efforts, to build awareness, and can be posted on your organization’s website.
- Arrange for a meeting with State Legislative or Congressional representatives
An important part of advocacy is building relationships with your elected officials as well as their staff members. Setting up a meeting is not difficult and can pay off big dividends. It’s important that your elected officials see your organization as the “go to” entity when they have questions about language issues. Meetings need to take place on a periodic basis for updates, to continue to build relationships and to make sure you are aware of any staff changes. This will also facilitate being able to get your elected officials out to visit programs and institutions for the all- important “photo op.” Elected officials need to be familiar with your programs so they can support them when necessary.