Fall Semester, Even-numbered Years

1. Remind faculty to update their voter registration prior to the November elections.
2. Consider sponsoring a Candidates’ Forum to allow individuals who are running for office (especially legislative candidates) to meet the public and answer questions.
3. Encourage your professional colleagues to vote.
4. Attend the Fall Conference for Faculty Leaders sponsored by TCCTA in late September or early October. The conference program traditionally includes information about the upcoming legislative session.
5. Send official letters of congratulations in mid-November to those who win the general election for those legislative districts which serve your college. Notes of condolence to the defeated candi­dates are appropriate, even if the defeated candidates were not popular on your campus. Many successful candidates have risen from the ashes of defeat, and even unsuccessful candidates remember those who befriended and supported them.
6. A formal meeting with newly-elected or reelected legislators should be scheduled before the end of the fall semester in mid-December. This meeting will provide you and other faculty leaders with an important opportunity to discuss the details of the upcoming legislative session. The TCCTA Executive Committee usually adopts and publishes the official legislative program of the Association before the Legislature convenes. Identify any local concerns that require legislative action. Present these concerns in writing with a rationale and documentation for the consideration of your legislators. This meeting is crucial and will set the tone for college-legislative relations during the legislative session. (Note: Be sure to advise TCCTA of local concerns so that the Association can reinforce them when appropriate.)

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Political Participation Tips

Plan of Action for Grassroots Leaders:

• Fall Semester, Even-numbered Years
• Spring Semester, Odd-numbered Years
• Fall Semester, Odd-numbered Years
• Spring Semester, Even-numbered Years

Plan of Action for Every Educator:

• Meeting with Your Legislator
• Writing to Your Legislator
• Voter Registration
• Sponsoring a Candidate’s Forum
• Facts/Reminders to Legislators