 Wysłany: Pon 14:10, 23 Maj 2011 Temat postu: Adidas Sunglasses Men Outlet The Advocacy Olympics |
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| urally, all this has got me to thinking about what the events at an "Advocacy Olympics" might involve (I'll admit that some of the late nights involved a glass of wine or two). What amazing feats do advocates and their coaches need to undertake to be gold medal winners in the process of advocacy? What kinds of events do they need to endure? Read on!
The End of Session Dash Get ready. Get set. Go! Upon its return in September, Congress will have less than 4 weeks to finalize ALL 13 appropriations bills. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this is not going to happen. Be emotionally prepared for government by continuing resolution for the foreseeable future. You heard it here first. Nevertheless, there will be a flurry of activity as elected officials return from meeting with what will likely be some pretty cranky constituents during August. How does the effective advocate prepare for this event? By building positive relationships throughout the year so that when the policy ideas are flying fast and furious your relevant legislators know to contact you with any questions. Medalists in the "End of Session" dash will have conducted many "workouts" throughout the year, including: o Sending personalized e-mail and written communications o Building relationships with staff people (find out who they are by calling your legislators' office or go to o Conducting site visits. o Attending in-district townhall meetings (contact your elected official to find out what they have scheduled,Discount Armani Sunglasses An Easy Spring Egg Deco!) Don't be that sad person who came in fourth. Start thinking about developing those skills today! The "Get That Bill Passed" Balance Beam Was anyone else amazed at the performance of Shawn Johnson of the U.S. Women's Olympic team on the balance beam? While it seemed like everyone else wobbled (and in a few cases fell off) she conducted her routine as if she were on solid ground. That's the essence of the "get that bill passed" balance beam event as well. Any time we undertake to change policy, whether it's to alter a law, increase funding levels for a favorite program or revise the application of a regulation, a balance must be struck. Effective advocates will prepare for this event by figuring out what kinds of compromises might be acceptable in exchange for furthering their cause. In almost every situation some level of give and take will be required. If you want to medal in the "get that bill passed" balance beam, you will accept that reality and continue to move forward as if on solid ground. Synchronized Legislating The U.S. Government and nearly all 50 states (except you,Adidas Sunglasses Men Outlet,Discount Armani Sunglasses Communicating with Hispanics in the Workplace Develop, Nebraska) have bicameral legislatures. This means that BOTH houses (the House or Assembly and the Senate) have to pass the exact same versions of legislation before they can become law. That's why the skill of "synchronized legislating" is so essential to effective advocacy, particularly at the federal level, where legislation can merrily move along in both houses at the same time. To prepare for the synchronized legislating event, advocates should be working with both houses and both sides of the aisle early and often. Too often, groups rely on one "champion" to get something done - only to find they have no support in the other house. Successful advocates will take the "depth and breadth" approach by building deep and positive relationships with a range of policy makers from all walks of life. Team Advocacy Whether it's throwing a ball into a hoop, batting a ball out of the park, knocking a ball over a net or, well, you get the point,Discount Oakley Sunglasses, many successful Olympic athletes are part of team. And, come to think of it, even many of the so-called "individual sports" have their team elements, such as team gymnastics or swimming and running relays. Michael Phelps, for example, would not have earned his gazillionth gold medal without the inspiring last leg of Jason Lezak in the |
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