Advocacy+101

= Advocacy 101 =

Your Guide to Texas Government 101 How a bill becomes a law Diagram of Legislative Process
 * Basic government 101 **

Who represents me? List of State House List of State Senate
 * How and when to contact your Senator or Representative **
 * How do I learn more about them? **

State your reason for contacting them and what you want them to do.
 * How: **


 * Be personal and professional (don’t burn any bridges)
 * Email
 * Call
 * Visit (local district office and Austin)
 * Provide them with your contact information
 * Who: **
 * Staff member who handles the issue you are interested in
 * Call the office to find out who this is.


 * When: **
 * During Election!!!
 * Don’t forget to vote EVERY time there is an election
 * During session
 * When bill is being considered throughout the process
 * In between sessions
 * View this as a long-term process
 * Get to know office staff


 * How can I find more information about a piece of legislation? **
 * Search on Texas Legislature Online (word or bill #)
 * How do I track a bill? **
 * Create an account on Texas Legislature Online (My TLO) and then you can do the following:
 * Create a list of bills you want to track
 * Set alerts to notify you or changes to bills
 * Use your mobile device to gain information
 * RSS feed for legislative activity


 * How TCEA can assist your efforts with technology related issues
 * Review legislative issues
 * Respond to pleas from TCEA and ETAN alerts
 * Sign up for TCEA Advocacy Twitter and Blog
 * Legal limits
 * Follow district guidelines and intent
 * Can inform but not push for passage of particular bill
 * Can always contact as an individual citizen
 * Use individual email
 * Contact after hours
 * May identify yourself as a Texas teacher

Stay involved and make your voice heard!