It is Advocacy Time

The period from March through May is the advocacy period for getting voices heard on Capitol Hill. That is because the President issues the budget in February, and Congress hears from consituents in a constant parade across Capitol Hill for the next few months. If you haven't already received your information about NCTE's "Literacy Education" advocacy month, here is the link to our site.

One of the groups we belong to and work with is the National Humanities Alliance which had its Humanities Advocacy Day on March 4. Since then, the National Humanities Alliance has been following the progress of the legislation for humanities programs, and adding more testimony. Here is the latest update from the NHA.

You will notice that they have posted the NCTE advocacy site on their site. This is another example of the work we do with other organizations to continue to have a common voice on issues of common concern. One of the advantages of advocating for multiple issues, whether in the home district office or in Washington, is that your representatives and their aides begin to recognize you as a concerned citizen who represents a common set of values. As we build trust with the offices, we become a more powerful voice.

I guess everything is a writing assignment--message, audience, voice. Did somebody mention rhetoric??