Advocacy Camp is Back!
Advocacy Camp is a series of fast-paced, informative sessions where community activists and group members learn about the legislative process and how to affect it. The sessions are free and are led by Capitol insiders and activists with years of experience and tons of enthusiasm. Every session includes practical information and do-it-yourself suggestions for making a difference on the issues that matter to you. There are even fun homework assignments!
The first session for 2007 is Friday, February 2, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Capitol. The session will include an overview of the legislative process, remarks from State Representative Mark Strama, and a tour of the Capitol Building.
The session will be held in Room E2.002, the Legislative Conference Center. Parking is available in the Capitol Visitor’s Parking Garage just east of the Capitol between Trinity and San Jacinto and 12th and 13th Streets.
Future sessions will be held every two weeks, so mark your calendars. Each session will run from 8:00 to 9:30 on Friday mornings, and will be held in the Capitol.
Friday, February 16, 2007 – OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET PROCESS
Legislators and staffers with years of budget-writing experience will describe the state’s budgeting process and share stories and insights. Then we’ll have a round-robin discussion of major issues facing the budgeteers this session.
Friday, March 2, 2007 – TRACKING A BILL OVER GREAT DISTANCES
Technology makes it easy for citizens to find bills that interest them and track those bills during the legislative session. Legislative Council staffers will show participants how to set up bill tracks, monitor legislation and watch committee hearings and floor debate over the Internet.
Friday, March 16, 2007 – CONDUCTING MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS, STAFFS
During sessions, legislators’ and staff members’ time are at a premium. Participants will learn how to plan and conduct a focused, effective meeting with their representatives and staffers.
Friday, March 30, 2007 – THE COMMITTEE PROCESS AND HOW TO WIN AT IT
There are over 50 committees in the Legislature, and it is there that the real work of the session gets done. Participants will learn from experienced staffers and respected advocates how the committee process works – and how to be effective within it.
Friday, April 13, 2007 – THE CALENDARS PROCESS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE
Once a bill has passed a committee, it still must be scheduled for floor debate. Participants will learn how the calendars process works in the House and the Senate – and the tricks available to advance or defeat legislation.
Friday, April 27, 2007 – THE MEDIA’S ROLE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
There are many ways “the media” reports on the legislative session – TV, radio, newspapers, blogs, magazines, etc. Participants will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of each “medium” from a panel of well-respected, entertaining journalists.
Mark Twain once said, “Everybody talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.” This is your chance to do something about your state government and all the issues – schools, roads, colleges, crime, civil rights, etc. – that concern you.
