Alumni Association | UA Foundation

How to Advocate

 

 

Mission Statement

To encourage the Arizona Legislature and Governor to Support the University of Arizona.

Objectives

• To unite the University of Arizona 'family' in advocacy on behalf of the University.
• To develop an advocacy program that enhances the positive image of the University of Arizona.
• To successfully influence state legislation on behalf of the University of Arizona.

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Meetings With Your Legislators

The purpose of meeting personally with your legislator is generally to develop a good relationship with him/her.

Meetings on specific issues must follow the guidelines for the State Lobbyist Laws. (See Lobbyist Rules)

All constituents can meet with legislators on behalf of themselves -- that is, they are speaking for him or herself specifically and expressing their opinion alone on any issue, including advocacy to support the University.

People who lobby on behalf of The University of Arizona -- that is who speak on behalf of the University -- must be registered by the University's Designated Lobbyist, Greg Fahey. People who wish to lobby on behalf of the University, and are speaking for the University generally, and who are not registered must be accompanied by a University-registered lobbyist.

People who lobby on behalf of other organizations must be registered by that entity.

 

To Hold a Personal Meeting with a Legislator:

• See Principals on How to Advocate
• Meet as often as possible with your legislator to establish a social relationship.
• Visit your public official when newly elected to congratulate him/her and explain your position on important issues.
• Invite them to join you at University activities.
• When speaking to them about a specific issue, be brief, courteous, informed and ask for their support. Tell them if you are a constituent; reference the legislation by the bill number. (See Principles of Advocacy)
• Call or write to thank them when they vote as you have requested.
• If you support their philosophies and their actions, support their campaigns.

Attending Hearings

The purpose of constituent attendance at University hearings is to demonstrate support -- by your presence -- for higher education in general and The University of Arizona specifically. Hearings are held on appropriation issues (to appropriate funds for the universities' budgets) or on specific issues and bills that may pertain to policies, programs, tuition, etc. Generally, the Constituent Legislative Advocacy program will coordinate attendance at budget hearings. Attendance at other hearings will only be coordinated on the most critical issues. A small investment of your time can have a major impact.

General:



• Legislative hearings are held in pre-arranged hearing rooms in the State House of Representatives or Senate; the address for both is 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix.
• Times for hearings are posted ahead, but can change. Agendas for hearings are set ahead, but can be changed, even at the onset of the hearing. Hearings can be extremely lengthy and are often interrupted and occasionally postponed to another date. Initial budget hearings are much less variable.
• In spite of all this, constituents are encouraged to attend. Your physical presence in the hearing room sends a strong message of support and you need not attend the entire hearing.
• Often just signing in and indicating support for the budget or the position on a specific bill (Support or Oppose) is adequate. If indicating you position on a bill, be certain you know what each position means on that particular bill (e.g. you may support a budget increase but oppose a bill that cuts the University's budget).
• Constituents are rarely asked to speak and never without prior arrangement.

Critical Issues Help

The purpose of constituent contact on critical issues is to demonstrate strong constituent support on issues that can have a major impact on the University. The Constituent Legislative Advocacy program can provide information on critical issues, including information on the background of the issue, the pros and cons, the university's position and the implications should the opposing position prevail. A small investment of your time can have a major impact on the University. (See Principles on How to Advocate)

When critical needs arise and affecting the University of Arizona, the State Relations office will communicate a request for support by UA constituents. The State Relations office will provide backgroung information on the issues. UA supporters can assist the university by contacting legislators via a phone call or an e-mail , message if immediate action is needed. If the issue is less urgent, a meeting with the legislator or a letter can be helpful. (See Sample Phone Call or Sample E-mail or Sample Letter)

Find Legislators' contact information at ALIS - Arizona Legisaltive Information System..

Lobbyist Rules

Lobbying is defined in the Arizona Revised Statutes (§41-1231) as an attempt to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by directly communicating with any legislator; or attempting to influence any formal rule-making proceedings by directly communicating with any state officer or employee.

Unless one is authorized by the University to lobby, one must advocate on one's own behalf, on one's own time, and using one's own equipment and supplies.

The Legislative Process in Arizona flowchart (pdf)

 

• AdvoCATS Update

• Legislative Update

• How to Advocate

• More Information

• Secretary of State voter Registration
• Your District Number and Reps
• AZ Legislative Info System
• Governor
• ABOR
• UA Budget Request

• Calendar

• Contact lobbyists

• Sign Up To Be an AdvoCAT!