001Great. Um, good afternoon everyone. Happy July 15th. Um, this is WASDA's legislative representative network meeting. I'm really excited y'all are here today um to join us and thanks in advance Leavonne for running the slides. Um we obviously know many of you but in case uh you are new in the meeting or new and watching this recording we just wanted to take a second to introduce um ourselves as the advocacy team. Uh my name is Logan Noel Andress. Um I am the director of strategic advocacy. Um been on board for about two and a half actually exactly two and a half months. Um today I'm excited to be with you. >> Hey everyone, Leavon Williams here. I'm the advocacy and policy analyst. Uh, I think I just hit my sixmonth anniversary, so I'm really excited about
002that. Welcome. Happy for you to join us today. >> Great. Thanks, Leavonne. >> Um, just wanted to start um with a quick introduction um of how we're going to spend our time over the next hour. Um, we're going to get grounded in some of our equity positions. Um, do a quick year- round advocacy check-in and really spend the majority of our time today, focused on some follow-up learning, um, unpacking our legislative impact toolkit, um, that we started on last month. Um, we got some more content for you this month. Hope you're excited about that. And we'll wrap up with a couple reminders about general assembly and um, call it a day. >> All righty. Um, thank you so much. Uh, today, so you see here a WAZA equity statement. Uh, before we kind of dive
003into today's agenda or we went over the agenda, I wanted to take a moment to to ground our work in something that's at the heart of the mission, which is equity. Um, as a le as a legislative representative, I think you carry the voices of your communities into like statewide conversations. Um, and that's really rooted in equity work. Um, to provide high quality education regardless of their race, background, or zip code. Um, you know, here at WISA, we're really committed to increasing equity and access for all students in Washington state. uh the the commitment really shows up in our policy priorities, our trainings, and the tools we offer uh to schoolboard members. Um and for them to lead locally. Um you know, it could show up whether you're leading or examining um a district's discipline
004data, advocating for more inclusive funding uh policies, or even reviewing uh board policy equity. um you know really should be grounded um in those lenses. So uh take a look at the the equity statement. It's plainly a document that plays a role in in in the way of advocating for policies that really break down those barriers and not really reinforce them. Um it also means that you know you could um help uh fellow board members and and communities see equity um as an essential and not as something that's optional. So wanted to to ground you in this before we get into to the work today. And I think this is a practice we'll bring up um for the remainder of the legislative representative network meeting. So I'm excited to to kind of to dig into
005this. Um here's a a was the infographic uh which really highlights equity. Um you know as we continue to advocate for stronger and more equitable educational systems it's really in it's really crucial that is something that we talk about sometimes it could be overlooked. Um but the when we're looking at equity work is is deeply impacted um and and we need representation. So, uh, there's some really important, uh, numbers in this chart. Um, if you're looking at this research, it tells you that same race matters for teachers. Uh, students of color, right? Having a teacher who shares that similar uh, racial identity could have a substant a significant, excuse me, improve um, improvement to their long-term outcomes and success. Um, this is really true for black and brown students, I would say. Um there are
006definitely some measurable gains to to that uh reading and and and math and and uh graduation rates uh college enrollment um all just from that teacher connection and racialization. So um it's also it's not really just about the teachers. I would say diversifying staff um and school boards really have a ripple effect. Um so when there's diversity in leadership uh schools are more likely to to adopt that those inclusive policies or practices to to that you know to show fewer disparities in areas like discipline. Um I would say it it really changes the climate for students and staff. Um so leaders of colors, principles, superintendent, administrators, uh they really bring those lived experiences that helps uh dismantle barriers. So um they help implement um culturally relevant curriculum. They lead equity focused initiatives and they serve
007a p serve as powerful mentors um not just for students of color uh but for the entire uh school community. So, um, just wanted to ground you in some of the the numbers here and look at the racialization, um, when we're looking at, um, K through2 education at Washington State. >> All right, Logan, you're up. >> Great. Thanks for that, Leavonne. Um, and also just want to share for anyone who might be interested in seeing that um, document that Leavonne was referencing in case it's your first time. Um, I did throw a link to that um, in the chat. Um also saw a question about um sharing the PowerPoint slides with you. That should be uploading any second now for you to have. Um okay. Um in another continuing resource for you, I'm always going
008to give you a year- round advocacy check-in um and just remind you of our infographic here. Um and just say that while it is the middle of summer and legislative session might feel far away, we're all focused on the sunshine right now. Um this is your re reminder um that there is still advocacy work to be done. Um and what we specifically wanted to remind you of today and we're going to dive into um a lot of how you can do this um during our toolkit part of our time um is just a reminder to stay connected and maintain relationships with your legislators. Um, school is not in session right now, but this is still a great time for you to maybe ask your legislators or their staff to go to coffee um or invite
009them to a schoolboard meeting that you're having. Basically, just to keep those connections alive. Um, that's your reminder of something you can do right now. Um, so without further ado, we are going to dive into our legislative impact toolkit. Um, shifting topics. Um, if you pop one more forward, Leavonne, um, we just want to ground you in what happened last month. Um, for those of you that may not have been here, um, we really spent some time focused on generally the role of LED reps and what interim advocacy can look like for you. Um, we were in small groups and there was some really lively discussion about ways that leds can network and engage with their community, with their fellow schoolboard members, with students, and with legislators. And if you flip one more slide forward,
010Leavonne, um, today we're going to dive a little bit deeper and focus on strategies that can help you turn some of those advocacy ideas into action. >> Thank you. So, building on the first meeting that took place, uh, we're really trying to leverage, you know, how to be a ledge rep network, how to how to serve as a ledge rep. Um I think I talked on this point at the previous meeting is understanding the legislative process is somewhat intimidating and confusing to many. Um I would say as a ledge rep you are the bridge between your district and in the state capital. Um, you know, you should have a a deep knowledge or some basic level um understanding of how bills move through the process from when they're pre-filed to when they change and shift
011in committees, understanding how certain committees work um and really knowing when, you know, to take that advocacy stance and um moving uh policies forward. So, um I would say really use this this handbook and this toolkit uh to stay informed. Um and thinking about the the second bullet, building relationships with legislators. I I don't you know, I talked about not needing to be a lobbyist. That's, you know, you just need to be the connector essentially. You know, reach out to them early on. Try to have coffee with them. Um I would say invite them to your schools. Uh attend board meetings if possible. they are out in the community with their constituents. Um try to if you can get a chance with them, try to share some personal stories to to really shape um uh
012policy priorities. Um right continuing to engage with your community. Uh try to incorporate some parents voices in into the your advocacy work. you know, um the more voices that they hear, uh legislators really understand, uh what's at stake and the impacts of the the legislation that they propose. Um another uh way to stay engaged and as you're building relationships is uh you know um creating a advocacy day or organizing a day on on the capitol. I think that's a um an important way to to remain engaged and also you can host uh either like a local advocacy event uh within your district um and then invite a legislator. Uh try to use your voice once again uh to activate and elevate community voices. And and lastly, when I'm thinking about effective communication, try to shift
013um or or generate a me a clear concise message that's really compelling. um try to stick to one or two things or ask right and and make sure it's backed by somewhat of a a local I don't know local stories and and data that could uh share uh that could uh lend light to uh to that story. I would say you either follow up via email um or even a quick call with the legislators. Uh, I say relationships take some time. Uh, but um, you know, continue to be consistent with your communication. I'm sure they would appreciate that. Once again, legislators, they are normal people. Um, please feel the need to communicate with them whether you're calling their um, legislative assistant or you're emailing them. You'll see that in the next few slides coming up.
014But um the gist of this is really u building in that communication, that community engagement during the legislative process and and try not to see it as somewhat intimidating but also a chance for you to elevate your your community stories. So I'll pass it to you Logan. >> Thanks Leavon. If you flip back one slide, um just in the spirit of leveraging the bloodrep network, um I just want to highlight uh director Darcy Huffman from Olympia noted in the chat um that they actually had one of their representatives volunteer weekly in one of their elementary schools. And Darcy um you can say no um but I'd love it if you might consider coming off mute and just sharing a little bit about um you know what that process was like for you, how you were
015able to develop um and sort of grow that relationship. That's um really cool. Um and you know leveraging the network um share your experience with um your fellow led reps on the call. >> Yeah, our um one of our representatives uh Beth Dolio, her dad was a um a superintendent and so um she really has a heart for education and while um um the environment is really her is really her jam. That's where she's really strong. Um but she knew that we were struggling as a school district and so she wanted to see what was going on in our schools and so she started um started uh volunteering at one of our elementary schools fifth fourth grade and she volunteered from September until the legis um session started um and really learned a lot and
016I think that um and she could really uh I think it really helped her um when it came to having conversations about education and um and um I would just encourage um encourage uh somebody to even if it's just to come for a month right before um before session. So, I mean, we're really lucky in the 22nd. Um, well, I live in the 35th, but you know, in the 22nd district where most of our schools are. Um, but we're really lucky to have uh legislators who are really interested in education and who meet with us monthly um and who um are are really engaged. So, and it's all just about creating that relationship and making those relationships and asking ask ask, right? because they the last the worst thing they can do is say no.
017>> It's beautiful. Thank you for sharing that, Darcy. Um and really living into the spirit of the Ledger Network. Um we really want this to also be a space where um if you have an experience that you'd like to offer or a way that you've implemented one of our tools in a way that's been really helpful for you, please jump in and share it. um because as much as we can be sharing resources and activities with you all, this is really about building connections between um those of you that all carry the work um of Ledger. So, thank you for leaning in. Um all right, so we're going to move into um just a short section really quick here about communication templates. Um if you're in the toolkit right now, you can check out pages
01848 to 51. Uh we're just going to throw a couple of them on the screen here and not talk through them specifically. Um, but one of the things that, you know, as we keep talking about connecting with legislators, um, we want to make sure that you have is the tools and supports, um, so that you can have a basis for what you might want to say to your legislators. We acknowledge that having the idea can sometimes be, um, different than actually executing um, and making those connections with your staff or with your legislators. So, um, included in the handbook, we have some sample letters, um, and memos and templates that you can feel free to use, um, to include things like introducing yourself and requesting a meeting with your legislator. Um, following up on that
019meeting request because we know our legislators are very busy. Um, and sometimes followup can be needed. um sharing general legislative updates with them, maybe advocating for a specific topic, inviting them to come out and visit your schools. Um you know, you'll need to go in and personalize all of these um samples. Um but just wanted to let you know that those do exist in case um a resource like that is helpful for you. Additionally, not on the screen, but included in that section of the handbook, um we also have some sample scripts that you may want to use in picking up the phone and calling your legislator or their staff. Um leaving them a voicemail. Basically, um again, just acknowledging that we want to give you all the resources that you need to successfully build
020and maintain your relationships. Um and if that means a sample could be helpful, um we hope you will check out our toolkit. um and know that we have those available to you. Um and then because I love a challenge, um if any of you are sort of just hearing about this first for the first time, um and really aren't sure where to start, I would challenge you if you've never sent an email um or made a phone call to one or all of your district's legislators, pop into the toolkit, grab a sample message, and just send it off um by the end of the day or the end of the week. Um, these tools are here to help you. Um, and as you're using them, if you have feedback for us, please don't hesitate to
021share it. But I wanted to highlight some of those. >> Thanks, Logan. To shift gears a little bit, I want to talk about uh data and and the influence of data through storytelling. uh as you're looking at the toolkit on page 23, I took a snapshot a snapshot of uh some important information that I think would be extremely beneficial for you um as we're as we're thinking about like building relationships, taking your advoc advocacy to influence. I think um this is an effective uh part of the toolkit um and and really why I would say um sharing uh storytelling through data. I think it builds trust, right? I think when you're talking to a legislator or a community uh leader or a family member, um the numbers really convey um an important um a real
022impact uh of the policy decisions. I think it's um one thing to to claim a law can really hurt students. It's another way to show that a percentage of students uh really rely on, for example, free and reduced lunch, right? Those that um data does a great job for for folks applying to grants, community based organization using that information. Um whether you're looking at title two cuts and how that could eliminate professional development uh for for teachers throughout the district. Um, I I think that um pairing data with stories uh really uh sheds light on um the influence that you're trying to have with uh with building those relationship with legislators. They have a direct number and they have a a full view of the story which you're trying to tell. Um you could you
023could use comparative data uh to spotlight some of those inequities. um maybe your district receive less uh per pupil uh funding than neighboring districts or serves um twice the I don't know you could look at um you know English language learners right like um looking at that contrast of how um how hard it can be so um when you present data I would say simply uh try to simplify it uh stick to one or two key takeaways uh try to you know build a one pager or a simple chart uh to do a lot of storytelling to legislators. Um the the time you get with legislators, try to be more concise and clear um um and and simple. I think that helps uh for them as well. Um try to use current uh locally relevant
024information uh and and try to stay away from outdated stats, right? Because that kind of I guess damper your credi credibility. um look at was the uh legislative priorities, some of our uh funding summaries or you know look at district snapshots uh and try to like strengthen your message and and aligning that with uh with statewide trends. So remember uh data is really um not data is just a tool is is not a goal. Um, so you know, in advocacy work, the goal is to to advocate for adequate funding in the state of Washington. And uh when we lead with uh with facts and and we have um uh true meaning behind that, I would say that adds credibility and power to advocacy voice. Um, so try to use a lot of data when you're
025um when you're trying to influence uh legislators and tell a story is extremely important. Um, qualitative, quantitative data, storytelling, student voices, parent feedback, whether you're surveying community members, surveying students, I I really do think that is essential uh to your to your advocacy for your for your district. So um I want to leave you with that. I think that's important u you know thinking about part one and thinking about you know of the of the presentation like how can we turn uh for this for for today's session how could we turn your your voice um and into and to lead with service. So um that is extremely important. I just wanted to reiterate that and as as I think as we move forward I want to look at this um this legacy legacy document I
026can't even talk right now um I think it's an important to think ahead um right like this document is not um in the toolkit but I I think it should be right um it could help you plan out for the next 30 60 or 90 days um you could use it as uh you know, summer, fall, winter document. Um you know, right now I'm thinking about legislators in the summertime. They're you know, in their home district. So I think this is a great time to to build on or strengthen those relationships. Reach out to them, invite them to, you know, tour your schools, uh attend board meetings, coffee. That's my favorite thing to do, I would say, because you could build the authentic relationship with them. You could even look in, you know, looking at
027the fall. You could shift those uh your your focus of your meetings to like presession planning uh before legislative session. I think that time is uh to clarify your district's priorities and align them uh with WA was the legislative uh priorities and platform. Um then thinking about the wintertime when legislative session begins. Um, I would say this is when your advoc your your outreach turns into to real time advocacy. Uh, it's an opportunity to weigh in on bills. Uh, you could share some local stories with legislators, looking at the data component, that's really important. Uh, just communicating with legislators um because things move relatively fast. And I would say this gives you the the uh head start um as you're as you're thinking about your 30 60 90 days um outlook moving forward. Um looking
028at some of the focus areas um you know the first the first category uh board or district legislative advocacy goals I would say um you know ask yourself what are your top legislative priorities for for your district that year? Are you focused on issues like sped funding, uh, school safety, um, or even, um, educational workforce challenges? These are some just some hypotheticals that I'm pulling out, um, as you can use this document really to to elevate your your legislative action planning for um, you know, months in advance. So, I think it's a useful tool. Um, I really wanted to bring this to your attention because it gives you a chance to plan out um to set a clear vision for the uh the next 30, 60, 90 days and have a clear goal in mind.
029Um, you know, things move fast, right? So, um, here's a way to to capture um all of your highle um action plan and moving forward for your for your district. >> Really great info, Leavonne. Um before we move on to um discussion in breakout rooms, um I have to highlight uh what looks like a really great program from director Lindsay Yokram from Lake Washington School Board. Um she dropped a note in the chat about um basically like an advocacy learning pilot program um that she was able to initiate as LED in partnership with their district's PTSA. Um, Lindsay, is there I mean you you did give us a lot of details in the chat and a link, but um that's so cool. Is there anything you want to say um about that work? >> Yes,
030I can try right as my child has come up here. Hold on. Wait, please. >> Sorry. Wait, please. That was great timing. And that's how it happens. Um yeah, I'm happy Wait, please, Porter. Wait. I'm happy to go more in depth at another time, but um it was it kind of I I'm I'm an educator and so it kind of come I kind of come from this point of I can do these things, but I would rather teach people how to do these things with me. Um I think when I have to prepare for a presentation, I actually then learn a whole lot more. And it's just this understanding of, you know, as a school board, we can be a group interacting with our legislators, but there's so much power when we can encourage and
031motivate our community to better understand, to learn, and to advocate alongside us as well. So, it's kind of it was kind of formed with our um district's PTSA advocacy chair and we sat down and we kind of talked like how how can we how can we do this? how can we actually take like me as an elected leader who has these connections and how can I help educate our community and kind of like what you're doing right now giving tools to us how can we kind how can I then kind of give those tools to the community um because our representatives like to hear from us but I think if they hear from hundreds and hundreds of more of their constituents with the same message um it it becomes a little bit more power well
032it becomes a lot more powerful so um it was actually wonderful because Then this information, one of our LDS, our um 45th LD Democrats, uh reached out to me and said, "Hey, I hear you're doing this. Could you present to our our organization?" So, I kind of took some of these slides and presented on like what is school funding? And it's really amazing how like I I've learned so much about it, but it's we're in this little world that nobody really understands. And when people start to understand, they start to see all these red flags. So I think it's just trying to create this to highlight like you know what are the problems and how can people be a little bit more confident and kind of walk alongside us. So I this is all new
033but if there's anyone interested in wanting to like do this further or brainstorm or I'm happy to because I would love to see this continue and grow. >> That's so great and again perfect timing. Um thanks thanks for taking a second to share a little bit more. Um, I um say all the time just in advocacy broadly and generally that I believe that we're stronger together. And I think this is a perfect example of um a way to use some interim time to sort of build those connections um and strengthen those relationships with community. Um one quote that you said Lindsay in the chat box that I think is beautiful is I believe that a better informed community will have the confidence and tools to advocate with us. Um, and I really like advocate with
034us. Um, so anyway, just had to highlight you. Thanks for that. Um, so we're going to jump into breakout rooms um, right now for the next 15 minutes or so. Um, we hope that the learning that Leavonne was sort of just able to provide along with the tools um, that we gave you at the beginning of the meeting were helpful um, in helping you think about getting connected to your legislators, leveraging this group. We've had a couple of really great examples today um about some of the things we can all learn from each other. Um and also just navigating your ledger up role. Um but we're going to put you in breakout rooms for the next 15 minutes or so um with uh some discussion around the questions on the screen. Um I will drop
035them in the chat box once you're in your rooms um so that you can have them in there. Um, but we're essentially hoping you'll spend the next 15 minutes um, discussing one or more um, of the questions on the screen just thinking about what's been most helpful for you about today's session. Um, how might you want to go deeper in the future? Um, and essentially in the form of a couple of questions, how might you take some of the learnings today um, and either apply them, share them with your community or execute them with your board. Um so those questions are in the chat. Um breakout rooms are open and um we will see you back here at 12:45. Okay, welcome back everyone. Um it is 12:45. We've got about 15 minutes left. Um hoping
036we can spend maybe the next five or so minutes um if maybe one person from each group would like to share out on their conversation. Um, I know the group I was in had some really cool ideas. Um, but can I uh ask room one? Well, the room I don't I don't know which room was which. So, the room >> right >> the room that was with with me. Will you will someone share out a little bit about um maybe a highlight or two from your conversation? >> Lindsay, you'd be good at that. >> I already spoke, Jackie. No, I can. Um I'm I'm now like trying to remember because I was also my son was coming in and out. So um I Oh, I feel like we it was brought up that a lot
037of the things that are presented, it's it's a lot that the three of us in that room, we kind of knew, right? And in I'm I'm curious if the other ones here as well. I mean it's the mid July in an afternoon and there's like eight of us here. So I'm wondering if if you know we are the ones who are dialed in a little bit right with knowledge here. Um so I think it was brought up by Logan actually mentioning saying hey would it be helpful to have like a a 101 like a legislative rep 101 and then like a 2011 level like kind of these different levels of understanding with what this role is and and everything to do with it. And I I really appreciated that because I think there's um a
038need for kind of like a foundational level of understanding but then I think how do you take it from there and just kind of like in education it's scaffolding role at different levels. So how can you provide you know what everybody needs? So I thought that was a wonderful idea. Um no that was like now my brain's we talked about what else did we talk about Jackie? Um, we talked about the end at the end. I just remember it was how can um some of us come together and in and I think we all well maybe we don't but I forget your name. The other one in Megan sorry Megan was saying how you know they work with other dis um different districts come together and work with their legislators who represent multiple of the
039school districts. And I think that is something that in talking to one of our senators uh he said would be very helpful uh that he I don't know I think it's like is it three or four maybe five different school districts that he has jurisdiction over. So it is kind of um how can we all come together make it a little bit easier and meet with him as a larger group than just having have him go to all of these individual meetings. Um, I feel like there was so much more we talked about and Logan Oh, you came off mute. >> No, that's I I was just gonna say that's that's a good that's a perfect highlight. Um, I took some notes from the conversation. Um, I can include that um uh in like the
040follow-up email or something. It's it's not full, but it's what I did. So, um, no, that was it was great. Um, how about the other room? Anything um high level you want to share about your conversation? I think one thing that we discussed was just how um one thing that was impactful to me that we discussed was how to just authentically connect with our legislators. I mean um you know it's one thing that they come to events you know for photo app which is totally fair that makes sense but just to you know really and even beyond like a a school visit during the summer maybe connect with them first through coffee or whatever and then maybe approach the concept of coming and walking through one of the schools that the ceilings are crumbling. Um
041but yeah just making those authentic connections. >> Great. Thanks so much. Um, okay. So, we have about 10 minutes left. Um, and just in our last couple of minutes, um, wanted to share a quick a quick, uh, number of updates with you around general assembly, um, to support you in your engagement and your prep work. Um, so the top level reminder, I'm going to keep doing this every month um, until we're together. We got 64 days um, until general assembly on September 20th. um that is happening again all virtually this year and we hope to see every single school board in our state um present. Um first and foremost and I think just most importantly right now for you to know um is that the version one of the general assembly handbook um has been
042released. Um it lives on the WADA website right now. Um, every schoolboard member in the state should have gotten an email from us um, on July 1st when that link was posted. Um, and version one essentially what that means for any of you that haven't done that this before um, this is what we call the pre- amendment general assembly handbook. Um, so essentially this is every proposal that came in through the position window um, that many of you participated in earlier this spring. Um all of that content is in the handbook. Um and what's sort of coming up next um most importantly is the amendment window. Um this is the virtual opportunity ahead of the general assembly um where you have the chance to sort of look at what's included in the handbook and um
043if you choose to um propose amendments to that process. Um after that window closes, we then um by a date uh that is on the slide by August 18th um we'll release the final version of the handbook um which will essentially include everything um that schoolboard members will be uh debating and voting on later this fall. Um but most importantly right now wanted you to know that handbook version one is posted. Um would definitely encourage you to take a look at that handbook. um share it with your board. Uh maybe have some discussion with them around the contents that are included um and consider whether or not um your board may want to participate in the amendment window. Um you can find all of the information around what that amendment process looks like, the timeline,
044uh it's also on the slide, but you can find all the information in the general assembly handbook on pages 10 through 12. So just wanted to make sure you knew about that. Any general assembly questions while we're on the topic? >> Um, Logan, is it It's all virtual this time, right? >> It is all virtual. That's kind of sad. I get it. But it's still kind of sad. >> So, you'll still be sending us out a um a Zoom link for that general assembly on the 20th. Um there will be um I need to confer with the team as to when um like registration opens up but yes there there will be communications that come out um with access to the zoom um with access to the voting platform. All of those things will happen
045well in advance of the general assembly. Um, my advice would be to just block the date on your calendar um, at this point. And I'll make sure when we come together next month in August um, that I have a more uh, clear and direct answer to how that happens. But um, the short answer is yes. You will get all the information you need.