Strategic Lobbying
Education policies, programs and structures in the Maritimes are determined
by provincial governments and, where they exist, by school boards. In
each province the Minister of Education is responsible for public schools
and, as a member of the executive councilor cabinet, the minister has
the authority to propose the development of new education policies, programs
and structures. Therefore, the support of the Minister of Education is
essential to initiate change in the public education system. (For details
of the education structures in the Maritime provinces see Appendix B.)
Strategic lobbying of the minister and school board is an important component
of a community campaign to advocate for such change. The manner in which
decision-makers are approached and informed by organizations can determine
the success or failure of advocacy efforts. Following are guidelines for
strategic lobbying:
Make your cause well-known to decision-makers:
- Participate in public hearings, workshops, forums and other opportunities
for public input.
- Make presentations to task forces, boards, commissions, etc.
- Be consistent and clear with your message.
- Send copies of significant documents to the premier, minister and
board chair.
Demonstrate community support:
- Have community members lobby with letters, faxes, e-mails and phone
calls to decision-makers.
- Bring on side as many community organizations as possible and have
them contact the minister and board.
- Invite decision-makers to all appropriate public meetings and events,
and send copies of newsletters, media coverage, etc. to their offices.
Stay apolitical:
- Avoid aligning the organization and community with the political
party in power. Governments change and you could find your cause on
the wrong side of the legislative assembly.
- Take advantage of opportunities to be heard, insist that your concerns
and proposals be judged on their merits and long-term benefits to students,
communities and society as a whole, rather than on political connections
and partisan platforms.
- Show a long-term commitment to the issues by emphasizing past achievements,
current support and future plans.
When meeting with decision-makers, assemble a coordinated and diverse
delegation:
- Use a maximum of five well-informed representatives.
- Within this delegation include several relevant community sectors
if possible (students, parents, business people, seniors, etc.).
- coordinate the presentation so that every delegate contributes; one
person should lead, but no one should dominate.
|