Develop an Action Plan
Step 1: Analyze Your State's Potential for Change
Before attempting to advocate for a change, state associations need to assess the potential for a successful outcome. State associations need to determine the state's potential for success which includes the following factors:
- Past/current state or local efforts to enact change
- Identification of key decision makers and an assessment of their level of opposition or support for state association issues
- An active, developed grassroots network among state association members
- Involvement of parent/consumer groups
- Commitment for school-related issues by the state association leadership
- Political climate in the state: budget concerns, state agenda, legislative/regulatory calendar
- Process to effect change: legislative, regulatory, state or local
Key Points:
- Identify important factors necessary for change
- Determine level of support or opposition
- Evaluate the political climate
- Determine areas of action needed