ResolutionsGrassroots Public Policy
AAFCS Public Policy Committee
What’s A Resolution?
• Provides Public Policy Focus and
Voice for the Association
-- defines position on an issue
-- supports a concern
-- impacts public opinion
Purpose of Resolutions
• Shape Opinion or Policy
• Provide Groundwork for Strategic Plan
• Supports Position of Other Groups
• Affirms Stance of the Association
Developing Resolutions
• Issue or Concern– Is it Consistent with the AAFCS Vision &
Mission?– Is it Definitive, Realistic and Achievable?
Developing Resolutions
• Rationale– Provides Background – States Importance of Issue
Developing Resolutions
• Impact Statement– Costs to Association– Benefits to Association
Developing Resolutions
Implementation - What Should Occur
- Strategies
Implementation Strategies• Establish Coalitions/Networks
• Influence Legislation
• Develop Programs ,i.e. power point
• Include in Affiliate Strategic Plan/Plan of Action
• Create Awareness using Media Releases
• Market Family and Consumer Sciences
IRS Guidelines for Nonprofits• Lobbying
– Direct Lobbying– Grassroots Lobbying
• Education– Provide nonpartisan research findings– Educate with respect to legislation
Submitting Resolutions
• Draft Sent to Public Policy Committee
• Committee Reviews
• Work with Submitter on Revisions
• Sent to Affiliates for Comments
• Revisions Reflecting Affiliate Comments
• Submitted to AAFCS Senate
• Submitter introduce Res. (2-3 minutes) in Senate
Writing a Resolution
• Identify Issue or Concern– Example: Identify Theft
Writing a Resolution • State the Premise for the Issue
– WHEREAS identity theft is a crime as a result of increased use of technology and the information age; and
– WHEREAS, no one is immune to identify theft; and– WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission has
estimated that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year,
– WHEREAS, one study shows that identity theft cost U.S. businesses and consumers $56.6 billion in 2005; and
Writing a Resolution
• Be It Resolved…– Specific Action Recommended
Be It Resolved that AAFCS support local, statewide, and national educational programs and policies 1) that
are designed to help individuals and families in Identify Theft prevention and recovery and 2) that encourage expansion of security measures to protect personal information.
Action Package
• Resolution
• Fact Sheet
• PowerPoint
• Consumer Resource Guide• A timeline for resolution steps is available
http://www.aafcs.org/Advocacy/Resolutions.asp
Thank You
The Public Policy Committee looks
forward to helping you develop
AAFCS Resolutions that come from
the grassroots. Please contact us!!
AAFCS Public Policy CommitteeContact us at [email protected] or 800.424.8080.