蜜桃影视

Top Takeaways is a series of recaps from important conversations, town halls, webinars and virtual events about early learning.

Advocacy shifts into high gear during campaign season. While child care and early education will never have the lobbying firepower of industries like Big Pharma and utilities, the sector boasts a number of dynamic nonprofits dedicated to engaging candidates and voters on issues that matter for families with young children.

, for example, works to improve early childhood experiences, build up public investments and support delivery systems to increase access as well as quality. On May 30, the organization鈥檚 Kayla Goldfarb, a policy manager, and consultant Michelle Hughes moderated a webinar for advocates, featuring Shannon Jones, president and CEO of and Monica Murnan, director of community support services at , an education nonprofit serving Kansas. Both Jones and Murnan drew upon experience as legislators to inform their advocacy work.

Here are our takeaways:

1. There鈥檚 a lot on the line in 2024. At the start of the webinar, Goldfarb and Hughes conducted an instant survey, and everyone acknowledged fears about the election and implications for families. It鈥檚 clear there鈥檚 a lot at stake this year, with 13 gubernatorial races and 33 U.S. Senate seats up for grabs as well as the presidential contest.

Goldfarb said that 78% of state legislative seats are on the 2024 ballot, as well as judicial elections and ballot initiatives. (Missouri voters, for example, have the opportunity to .) Elections give nonprofits the chance to seize the media spotlight as candidates debate issues. Amplifying voter voices and participating in candidate forums are two common strategies. Panelists cited examples from , and .

2. Compliance is strength. Two IRS classifications of nonprofits 鈥� 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) 鈥� can engage in advocacy, but the rules are different. Both are free to encourage voting and to help people register and vote. The latter type of organization is less common and has more latitude about lobbying. Only the latter is allowed to endorse candidates and publicize its endorsements. Goldfarb and Hughes singled out for its authoritative guidance on how to comply with regulations and maximize impact, including:

They added that funders often impose additional restrictions. Murnan emphasized that nonprofit organizations should educate every level of staff on 鈥渂eing true to the culture鈥� in their work e-mails and on social media.

3. Advocacy happens through relationships. Campaign season is the time to kindle or rekindle relationships with candidates and their staff members, but remember that trust is the currency of the realm, so everything you communicate must be accurate. 鈥淓lected officials don鈥檛 want to be embarrassed,鈥� said Jones, who spent 10 years in the Ohio General Assembly. 鈥淚f I felt misled by an advocate, I鈥檇 never talk to them again.鈥�

Murnan, who represented her district from 2016 to 2020, recalled helping to overturn the so-called in tax cuts. She advised advocates, 鈥淵ou need to be the trusted expert that people call. You don鈥檛 have the luxury of disliking someone. You have to listen to both sides.鈥�

She also noted that relationships with administrative officials are just as key as the ones with politicians, and recommended shoring up relationships after the election and before inauguration, when recently elected officials are making key appointments and preparing to realize their campaign promises. 鈥淓ducate them when they鈥檙e at home,鈥� Murnan said. 鈥淔ollow them into the grocery store if you have to.鈥�

Both Jones and Murnan stressed that elected officials are more than their party affiliation, so listen carefully and capitalize on common ground.

4. Work in coalition. No matter how knowledgeable and well funded your organization is, you will be more effective in collaboration with others than you are on you own. Advocacy organizations, businesses, unions and faith-based groups make more noise when they make it together. The flip side of this reality is that you won鈥檛 get to make all the decisions. Don鈥檛 worry about marching in lockstep; instead, concentrate on where you align. 鈥淩espect is more important than consensus,鈥� Jones stated.

5. Play the long game. Maybe this isn鈥檛 the year for your specific policy issue, but if you solidify your partnerships and remain patient, maybe next year will be. Jones鈥檚 advice: 鈥淵ou have to understand when to take half the loaf. Or the heel of the bread. There鈥檚 always next year.鈥�

Advocates have to play defense as well as offense, postponing progress until after the damaging policies have been thwarted. 鈥淪ometimes we have to stop the bad things from happening,鈥� Murnan said, referring to the recent legislative session in her state where a hoped-for formation of an Office of Early Childhood eluded her, but on the other hand, a risky proposal to deregulate child care was avoided, .

鈥淓very day is trying to get out alive,鈥� she said.

This story originally published on Early Learning Nation and is now archived on 蜜桃影视. Learn more here.