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Advocacy in the FFELP
Will Shaffner
Director Business Development
The Higher Education Loan Authority for the State of Missouri (MOHELA)
MASFAP Conference
November 2007
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What is Advocacy
• Standard definition of Advocate:• “…To plead in favor of…”
• Advocacy then:• “…Is the process of pleading in favor of…”
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Advocacy vs. Lobbying
• Lobbying – Usually involves attempting to influence
legislation– Lobbyists are defined as individuals paid to
communicate with federal public office holders in an attempt to influence government decisions
• Consultant• In-house lobbyists (corporate)• In-house lobbyists (organizations)
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Advocacy vs Lobbying
• Advocacy– Covers a much broader range of activities that
may or may not include lobbying– Is an effort to shape public perception or to
affect change that may or may not require legislation
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Advocacy vs Lobbying
• Lobbying
– Lobbying always involves advocacy
• Advocacy
– Does not necessarily involve lobbying
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Should I Be An Advocate
• You can make a difference
• People working together can make a difference
• People can change laws
• Advocating is a democratic tradition
• Advocating helps find real solutions
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Should I Be An Advocate
• Advocating is easy
• Policymakers need your expertise
• Advocacy helps people
• The views of local entities (nonprofits) are important
• Advocacy advances your cause and builds public trust
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Advocacy Checklist
• Developing an advocacy strategy– Identify issue
• What is your concern• What is your problem• What is your focus
– Set Goals• What is your objective• What is outcomes are acceptable• What alternatives are acceptable
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Advocacy Checklist
• Developing an advocacy strategy– Research and get facts
• Facts make your argument more credible• Avoid anecdotes
– Determine your target audiences • With whom are you trying to communicate
– Elected officials– Public servants– Media– Public– Membership
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Advocacy Checklist
• Developing an advocacy strategy– Develop a formal position
• Statements• Key messages• Brief or scientific papers
– Develop tactical action plan• Timelines• Activities• Assignment of responsibilities
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Advocacy Checklist
• Developing an advocacy strategy– Communicate with your target audience
• Inform target audience of your concerns• Establish communications• Begin to develop relationship
– Consult your membership, as necessary• Continue to seek input from your membership/boss• Involve membership/boss in the process
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Advocacy Checklist
• Developing an advocacy strategy– Keep your membership/boss informed
• Inform members/boss or progress along the way
– Build coalitions• Look to develop relationships with
organizations/departments of common interest• Share information or join in more formal coalitions
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Advocacy Checklist
• Developing an advocacy strategy– Review Campaign
• Make adjustments where necessary
– Feedback• Seek feedback from
– members/boss/departments– Media– Public– Officials– Students
– They can be good indicators of future success
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Who would aid officers plead or advocate on behalf of?
– Our Office– Our Profession– Our Institution– Our Families We Serve (Students/Parents)
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Our Office– Supervisor (Enrollment Manager, etc)
• Monthly reports– budget variances– statistics on performance
» calls» applications processed» dollars disbursed
– industry issues/trends» legislative» borrowing levels
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Our Office– Supervisor (Enrollment Manager, etc)
• Monthly Reports– anything that would be considered a surprise
» staffing issues» processing delays
– office needs– other items
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Our Office– Faculty/Staff/Students
• Faculty/staff communication/articles– did you know….?– newspapers/bulletin boards/lounges
• Student communication/articles– timelines (application filing, system conversion)– required consumer information– student newspaper/bulletin boards– campus mail– student union
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Our Profession– Guilty Until Proven Innocent – Behavior is Ethical– Communicate to Stakeholders Proactively
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Our Institution– Understand institutional priorities, i.e.
• Increasing enrollment• Change image• Add a new program/degree
– Determine financial aid office role• Communicate via appropriate channels• PR/Legal/Legislative Affairs/Supervisor
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Our Students/Parents/Families
– Develop a strong relationship with:• Public Relations • Legal Affairs• Legislative Affairs
– Get involved with FA Associations• Legal/Legislative Concerns Committees
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Our Students/Parents/Families– Learn the Legislative Process
• The Higher Education Act 1965 (HEA)• Reauthorization of the HEA (REA)• Negotiated Rule Making
– Neg Reg – Negotiated Regulations– NPRM – Notice of Proposed Rule Making
• Budget Reconciliation• PayGo
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Our Students/Parents/Families– Learn who your elected officials are
• Introduce yourself to the local offices• Introduce yourself to their DC staffers• Education issues
– Communicate regularly• E-Mail• Phone• Mail• Web/Internet/blog
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Our Students/Parents/Families– Mobilize constituents as needed
• Communicate with students/families• Encourage letter writing campaigns• Create draft letters
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Advocacy in the FFELP
• Missouri’s History– Allan Purdy
• Considered by many first FAO• Passion was obvious & contagious• Was an advocate for students
– Personally– Helped facilitate students and jobs– Traveled to DC to educate Congress and fight for
funding