Focus on Advocacy
This is a year like no other, and that holds true for reimagining how best to adapt and apply PTA flexibility to new ways of advocating to help every child reach their potential. The campus in Olympia is closed to the public for the 2021 legislative session, which means that we will not be able to host our annual Focus Day on the Capitol steps. However, advocacy is not a one-day event; it is an everyday action. And so, we are moving to an ongoing “Focus on Advocacy” program to keep members informed and engaged throughout the session, keeping our efforts focused on the mission.
Advocacy Week
January 18 – 22, 2021
In addition to our ongoing efforts, WSPTA will be asking members to take action from home or your phone throughout an entire week. To participate, subscribe to the WSPTA Action Network to stay informed.
Tentative schedule (likely to change):
- Monday, January 18 – Call to Action: Focus on anti-racism
- Tuesday, January 19 – Call to Action: Focus on equity
- Wednesday, January 20 – Call to Action: Focus on mental health and wellness
- Thursday, January 21 – Call to Action: Focus on preserving and flexing funding
- Friday, January 22 – Call to Action: Focus on safety and emergency preparedness
Making Appointments
It is important to make appointments with the legislators as far in advance as possible. At this time, all appointments will be virtual. We are not sure what technology platform legislators will be using for these appointments, and many details are likely to be released in advance of the January 11 session start date.
Input your address here to get the names of the Representatives and Senator(s) for you, your school district, and their contact information. Members should consult with their local PTA, council, or region advocacy chair for assistance in making legislator appointments. Appointments may begin as early as 8:00 am.
What do you say during an appointment with a legislator? WSPTA encourages you to visit our advocacy page, where you will find our 2021 WSPTA Legislative Platform, as well as a detailed one-page handout for each legislative priority in the drop-down lists under “Legislative Platform.” These one-page handouts are great sources of talking points and can be given to legislators as well. In addition, due to the visual opportunities provided by a remote session, we’ll be uploading position videos, which you can use as a start to your meeting or in advance to explain your support for a legislative priority.
Tip: tell legislators why WSPTA priorities are important to you and ask for their support!
Legislative Priorities
To learn more about the WSPTA legislative priorities:
- Top five and also supported legislative issues
- WSPTA complement of resolutions
- WSPTA legislative principles
- Subscribe to WSPTA Action Network
Additional Information and Links
2021 Legislative Session Preview
Get the 2021 legislative session in focus with this recording of a webinar hosted by Washington State PTA’s legislative consultant Marie Sullivan. Access the slide deck here.
This pre-session webinar takes a brief look back at successes in 2020 and then looks forward at WSPTA’s legislative priorities for 2021, opportunities for testifying, tips for meeting and talking with legislators remotely, and a special “focus” on preparing for Advocacy Week during a pandemic!
Also, save the date: January 5th, 7 PM – 8:30 PM for an update from legislators on taking action on WSPTA legislative priorities and bringing parent voice forward during a virtual session. Register here.