The 2019 Advocacy Meeting is just a couple weeks away and Government Relations Committee member Alyson Tom has all your questions covered.
During a Facebook Live conversation Wednesday, Tom discussed her advocacy background, the issues that matter most to her, and the upcoming Advocacy Meeting.
Tom experienced her first Advocacy Meeting at the national level last year and she offered some advice for newcomers.
“I could certainly understand if someone has never done anything like this before that it could be intimidating or a little scary to talk to these people you’ve seen on TV and read about in the news. My advice for new people is just remember you are the expert in the field. You know more about your job than anybody else. Even if they think they know what your job is, you know your job. That’s the key point to remember,” Tom said.
Whether you are a first-time attendee, advocacy vet, or just an interested party, we want to make sure all your questions about the 2019 Advocacy Meeting are answered.
We’ll be broadcasting via Facebook Live on Wednesday with Government Relations Committee member Alyson Tom. Tune in at noon ET to learn more about this year’s Advocacy Meeting, hear advice for first-time attendees, and more.
Have questions about the Advocacy Meeting or for Tom? Ask them during the Live using the video’s comment section or submit them ahead of time via email.
Ashley Dobson is NACAC’s communications manager for content and social media. You can reach her at adobson@nacacnet.org.
What’s the school climate for LGBTQ students in your state?
According to GLSEN’s recently released State Snapshots report, high schools in all 41 states and Puerto Rico are not safe for most LGBTQ students.
More often than not, LGBTQ students do not have access to important school resources, such as LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum or student clubs designed to support LGBTQ students. In most cases, LGBTQ students are not protected by supportive and inclusive school policies.
During a Facebook Live broadcast Tuesday afternoon, NACAC Government Relations Committee Chair Jim Fowler discussed ways you can get involved with NACAC’s advocacy efforts and why they matter.
“What I’ve learned through my time in GRAC – at the affiliate and at the national level – is how important it is for us to stand up and be counted on a lot of these issues. Members of Congress work for us,” Fowler said.
“So many of us use metrics in our work, to do our jobs, and so do they. If 3,000 NACAC members sign up on a legislative action alert that raises the profile of the conversation. It really sends a message. If we don’t send that message, then that message falls on deaf ears. We are a large, growing organization that can have an elective voice that really is resonant on issues for students and education.”
Wondering how you can play a role in NACAC’s advocacy efforts?
We’ll be broadcasting via Facebook Live on Tuesday, Jan 22 with Jim Fowler, NACAC Government Relations Committee chair and vice president for enrollment management at Salve Regina University (RI). Tune in at noon ET to learn more about the work of the Government Relations Committee, Fowler’s journey to his role as chair, and NACAC’s policy priorities.
The Department of Education recently announced changes to FAFSA verification aimed to help make the process less burdensome.
In lieu of IRS tax return transcripts and verification of non-filing forms, the guidance allows institutions to accept copies of signed income tax returns and written statements of non-filing from students who are selected for FAFSA verification. The changes are effective immediately and apply to both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 cycles.
Visits with members of Congress will serve as the focal point of the two-day event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with NACAC leadership, members, and staff.
Tuesday, November 6, is Election Day. NACAC encourages you to vote!
Here’s an easy way to see who will be on your ballot before you go vote.
Also, check out this infographic by Education Commission of the States for a quick visual of states with elections that will impact state education leadership.
Preliminary findings from a survey administered by AASA: The School Superintendents Association show that many school districts plan to use funding from the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program to improve school counseling.
A little over half of all students who were eligible for the Pell Grant were selected for verification in 2015-16.
The procedure, which requires students to submit additional paperwork to prove their income, inserts an extra step into the financial aid process. And in an op-ed published by The Hill this week, Justin Draeger—president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators—voiced concerns that verification keeps some students from attending college.
