ADVOCACY DAY IS EVERYDAY

• Even if you can’t attend this year’s Arts Advocacy Day, you can still make contact with your legislators via letter, fax, telephone, or email on Arts Advocacy Day and every day – while they are in session in Columbia, beginning in January on Tuesday through Thursday, or in their home district when they are not in session after the first week of June -- and throughout the year.  Encourage others to do the same.  And, remember that effective advocacy is an on-going activity. 

• Build a relationship with your legislators.  Be a resource for information about the value of the arts and arts education.  Understand the legislative process, be informed, know the issues, and stay involved.

• You may want to set up a meeting back in your home district with your legislator or legislative delegation, bringing together interested parities to talk about the impact of state dollars on your work and in your community. Why not host a breakfast, reception or town meeting?  How many times have you heard that “All Politics Is Local”?  Well, it’s true! 

• Invite Legislators to your events, meetings, classrooms, and give them the opportunity to present awards, make introductions, give and receive accolades!

• Form an advocacy committee within your organization or school, perhaps a telephone tree or email network to help communicate important information to your constituents and to your policymakers.

NEED A HELPING HAND?

• ADVOCACY HANDBOOK           
• WEBSITES
• SCAA’S “CAPWIZ” ON LINE ADVOCACY TOOL

Use your Arts Advocacy Handbook all year long. Keep abreast of your state government at these web sites:  www.scstatehouse.net;  www.leginfo.state.sc.u.s; www.scgov.com;  www.scgovernor.com; and of course, the South Carolina Arts Alliance web site at www.SCArtsAlliance.net and make use of our exciting advocacy web site tool, “CapWiz!”

Just “click” our Legislative Action Center’s CapWiz site to contact and learn about your legislators.  CapWiz is easy to use and only takes a few minutes!   After going to our Legislative Action Center, click the “take action” button and enter your zip code on the next screen.  It will take you right to your legislator’s information and make it easy for you to make direct contact.  Please feel free to call the South Carolina Arts Alliance office at 803-325-2435 or email at:  Betty.Plumb@scArtsAlliance.net for additional information.