Gaining “Official” Support: Working with Government Leaders

 

Approaching Elected Officials
Elected officials are regarded as trusted sources in communities and can be great resources for spreading the word about the campaign. Elected officials also can be tapped for media opportunities and to sponsor and support local events. As part of your partner recruitment efforts, approach local, state and federal government leaders to lend a hand with the campaign:
  • Local: Mayors, city or county council members, superintendent of schools, school boards
  • State: Governor, Secretary of Education, state education officials, state delegates and senators
  • Federal: Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate

Prior to reaching out to an elected official, do research to determine his or her position on higher education issues and to identify the education and/or community relations staffer. After doing your research, send an introductory note to the elected official's office with information on the campaign and a request for a meeting. A template letter is included in this section of the toolkit. Be sure to follow-up on your note with a phone call.

Bring campaign materials to the meeting, such as posters, brochures, a list of current partners and other information that can be helpful in providing the elected official and his or her staff with a complete picture of the effort. The customizable fact sheet included at the end of this guide can be used to educate elected officials about the campaign.

Getting Elected Officials Involved
Once officials in your community sign on to the campaign, there are a number of creative ways to get them engaged in “on the ground” efforts. Elected officials can support your existing program by:
  • Distributing KnowHow2GO materials at their offices.
  • Including an article about KnowHow2GO in their electronic newsletter to constituents.
  • Linking their Web sites to the KnowHow2GO site.
  • Making appearances and speaking at KnowHow2GO events in support of the campaign.
  • Serving as a KnowHow2GO spokesperson for print, broadcast and radio opportunities.
  • Submitting an op-ed endorsing the campaign to a daily or local community paper.
  • Hosting a town hall meeting on education that highlights KnowHow2GO.
  • Sponsoring a resolution or proclamation designating a month of the year as KnowHow2GO Month and participating in activities supporting the designation.
  • Co-sponsoring a college day at a local school with KnowHow2GO, local universities, education organizations and youth-based groups.

Elected officials can play an important role in endorsing and promoting the campaign. It will be important to coordinate with government leaders to determine the best way to maximize their support.
 

Template Letter to Government Official
Dear:

I am writing to request a meeting with you or a member of your staff to obtain your support for the KnowHow2GO campaign. (insert local organization) joined with the American Council on Education, Lumina Foundation for Education and the Ad Council to launch the KnowHow2GO campaign in (insert local community) in (insert month) 2007. This important campaign educates students – primarily low-income and those who are the first in their family to attend college – and their parents and influencers on the steps they need to take to prepare for college. (Insert information on why the campaign is particularly important for your local community.)

The KnowHow2GO campaign targets students in grades 8 through 10, providing important information on preparing for college. The campaign is a grassroots initiative that consists of a network of national, local and state partners. These partners include educational organizations and institutions, youth-serving organizations, local schools, elected officials, places of worship and the business community. In (name of state), such partners as (name partners) are working with us to implement the campaign.

KnowHow2GO seeks to reach young people in their own language and through trusted mediums. In addition to an interactive, student-focused Web site and print materials available in both English and Spanish, the campaign has created a series of public service advertisements for TV, radio and outdoor distribution.

I hope you will lend your support to this important initiative. In the next week, I will contact your office to set up a meeting with you or a member of your staff. In the meantime, included is background material on the campaign for your review. If you have any questions, please contact me at (phone number) or (e-mail).

Sincerely,


 

KnowHow2GO Fact Sheet

America's Young People and College Access

  • In 2002, the U.S. Department of Education reported that 9 out of 10 students expect to pursue postsecondary education.
  • In that same year, 8 of 10 students reported that they planned to attain a bachelor's degree or higher. 
  • However, very few students are aware of the steps they need to take to make their college dreams a reality. This is a major reason why low-income students and those who are the first in their family to pursuer a post-secondary education remain underrepresented on college and university campuses.
  • (Insert local statistics on college access.) 

KnowHow2GO

  • KnowHow2GO is national college access campaign targeting students in grades 8 through10, their parents and influencers.
  • KnowHow2GO provides young people with critical information on preparing for college. Its aim is to increase the number of low-income students on college campuses, where they currently remain underrepresented.
  • Nationally the campaign is sponsored by the American Council on Education, the Ad Council and Lumina Foundation for Education.
  • In (insert state), the campaign is being brought to life locally by a coalition of partners that is led by (name of lead partner). Coalition partners include: (list partners).
  • The campaign reaches the public through public service advertising on television, radio, billboards and in malls and schools. The advertising campaign is supported by a toll-free telephone number, 1-888-716-6382; easy-to-use Web site, KnowHow2GO.org; and local and regional partners that provide college access information.
  • (Insert information on specific local activities.)