Alumni Advocacy

Alumni Advocacy Creating a Stronger University Dear Alumni – I want to personally thank each of you for your involvement and participation with our University. It is critically important that each of us take a stand and advocate on behalf of USF. Your communications to our elected officials and the media are important in strengthening our University. I encourage you to read this advocacy document and take action. When you do write to the media and our lawmakers, please forward a copy of your correspondence to your Alumni Association at [email protected]. Thank you for your time and commitment to our fine University. Our degrees continue to become more valuable thanks to your active participation. Go Bulls! Jeff Spalding `87 President USF Alumni Association Board of Directors Alumni Advocacy Packet Spring 2008 USFAA Advocacy Packet 5/1/2008 1 Table of Contents Introduction: Your Role as an Advocate …………………………………..................Page 3 Section 1: Writing to Your State Legislator ..............................................................Page 4-6 Section 2: Legislative E-mail Addresses ...................................................................Page 7 Section 3: Writing to Newspaper Editorial Pages …………..…………….................Page 8 Section 4: Florida Newspaper Contact Information ……………..……………….......Page 9-10 USFAA Advocacy Packet 5/1/2008 2 Your Role as an Advocate As an alumnus of the University of South Florida, you have a stake in the issues that impact your alma mater. It is your right and privilege to make your voice heard to the federal, state and local legislators whose decisions affect its future. Toward that end, the USF Alumni Association offers you this primer on how to effectively communicate with your elected representatives and the media in a productive manner. We’d like our lawmakers to know that USF alumni demand a say in the future of their university. We know you are proud to be a Bull. Please use these guidelines to become an advocate for the University of South Florida. USFAA Advocacy Packet 5/1/2008 3 Writing to Your State Legislator Before You Write If you would like to present your views on an issue to your State Legislator, please consider the following points: 1. Is the issue you’re writing about a federal, state, county, or municipal issue? Sometimes it’s hard to tell. If your issue is in the newspaper, give the article a quick double-check to see if it mentions which level of government has the matter under consideration. 2. Many people are confused by the fact that they have a Representative and Senator at both the federal and state levels. Usually, a federal lawmaker is referred to as a member of Congress. A newspaper is likely to refer to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., as a U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator. Likewise, an official in Tallahassee is usually referred to with "State" before their title, as in State Representative or State Senator. 3. Make certain you have the correct address. The Honorable (Full Name) House of Representatives 513 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Dear Representative (Last Name): OR The Honorable (Full Name) The Senate 405 The Capitol 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 Dear Senator (Last Name) 4. Be sure you include your name and address. Messages without a name and address have little impact. A phone number also is helpful. If you're expecting a reply, the legislator will need to know how to contact you. USFAA Advocacy Packet 5/1/2008 4 As You Write After you have determined which official to contact, here are some other considerations to think about: 1. Time the arrival of your letter or e-mail. If the issue you wish to write about is a bill, make sure your comments arrive before the bill comes up for a vote. Ideally, you should communicate your concerns while the bill is in committee so that your legislator knows your view early in the legislative process. 2. Stay focused on the subject. Many issues are complex and related to a host of other matters. Your views will be clearer if you keep your letter centered on the issue. 3. Write as much as possible in few words. Though some issues may be detailed and complex, try to keep your letter to no more than one page. 4. Identify the issue. There are literally thousands of bills introduced each session and sometimes there are different bills on the same subject. Identify your issue as specifically as you can. List the bill number if you have it. If you write about a proposed bill on transportation, but don't know the bill number, perhaps you might refer to it by the bill's sponsor, "State Representative Smith's" bill or the bill's nickname, "the highway logo signs" bill. 5. Make your note personal. Signing a petition, sending a form letter, or forwarding materials may have some impact, but nothing beats the "personal touch." Writing in your own unique words emphasizes that you care enough about the issue to take the extra time to convey your individual thoughts. Personal letters sometimes give new views or aspects to a position on a bill that a legislator may not have heard before. 6. Keep your tone positive. Everyone is more open to suggestions when approached in an upbeat and optimistic manner. Lawmakers are no exception. Sometimes, in the heat of passion, we may write angry letters. These types of communications have few useful results, and may even damage a cause. USFAA Advocacy Packet 5/1/2008 5 7. Keep in mind that your State Representative or State Senator has to take into account the well-being of tens of thousands of people in his or her district. Each of those people has an individual viewpoint. This means that at times tough choices have to be made. Just because you and your legislator disagree on one subject does not mean that you will not agree on many more further down the road. Try to keep the dialogue open between you and your legislator. 8. Present your position and give sound reasons. A note that states "Vote for House Bill 4001; it's a good bill" does make a statement. However, if you back up your position with reasons, it makes an even better point. "Please vote for House Bill 4001. I'm a senior citizen on a fixed income, and the bill will help me in the following ways." It helps to mention how the issue affects you, your family, your business or profession - or the effect on your community or the state as a whole. This will make a legislator more aware of the bill's potential effect. USFAA Advocacy Packet 5/1/2008 6 USF Service Area Legislators Name Email Address Rep. Baxter Troutman [email protected] Rep. Betty Reed [email protected] Rep. Bill Galvano [email protected] Rep. Bill Heller [email protected] Rep. Denise Grimsley [email protected] Rep. Dennis Ross [email protected] Rep. Doug Holder [email protected] Rep. Ed Homan [email protected] Rep. Ed Hooper [email protected] Rep. Faye Culp [email protected] Rep. Frank Attkisson [email protected] Rep. James Frishe [email protected] Rep. Janet Long [email protected] Rep. John Legg [email protected] Rep. Keith Fitzgerald [email protected] Rep. Kevin Ambler [email protected] Rep. Marty Bowen [email protected] Rep. Michael Grant [email protected] Rep. Michael Scionti [email protected] Rep. Paige Kreegel [email protected] Rep. Peter Nehr [email protected] Rep. Rich Glorioso [email protected] Rep. Rick Kriseman [email protected] Rep. Robert Schenck [email protected] Rep. Ron Reagan [email protected] Rep. Ron Schultz [email protected] Rep. Seth McKeel [email protected] Rep. Tom Anderson [email protected] Rep. Trey Traviesa [email protected] Rep. Will Weatherford [email protected] Senator Arthenia Joyner [email protected] Senator Charlie Justice [email protected] Senator Dennis Jones [email protected] Senator JD Alexander [email protected] Senator Lisa Carlton [email protected] Senator Mike Bennett [email protected] Senator Mike Fasano [email protected] Senator Paula Dockery [email protected] Senator Ronda Storms [email protected] Senator Victor Crist [email protected] USFAA Advocacy Packet 5/1/2008 7 Writing to Newspapers Letters to the Editor Quick Tips Letters to the editor allow you to offer a short rebuttal to an article or commentary, or add a crucial missing perspective. Most letters should be 150-250 words. Specific guidelines by news outlet are listed in the Newspaper Contact Information and Submittal Criteria document... • Keep it short. Respond quickly to the article you've read (note the headline and date it ran) or the event taking place. Make your points short and specific. It's better that you edit your words than the outlet cut what you consider to be your key point. • Be factual but not dull. State important facts that back up your point. Humor helps. • Pick a messenger. Find a well-known person to sign the byline. Identify the author's expertise and/or affiliation. Include full contact information and day and evening phone numbers. • Timing is everything. Because of the volume of submissions at national newspapers, getting in a letter the same day will increase your chances of getting published. Send it by e-mail in the body of the text, not as an attachment.

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