How to Be an Effective Advocate

Homeschooling families may wish to monitor and participate in the legislative process on various issues and bills. There are many that may be of interest in 2022 on a range of topics. GSHE will only actively follow one regarding home education. Refer to the updated table below for our 2022 Legislation of Interest.

We have some suggestions for how to be effective when communicating with legislators that we developed based on over a dozen years of experience working with national and in-state organizations and advocates following hundreds of bills.

You can make a difference on the issues that matter most to you, but it requires engagement. It requires your participation. It requires effort. Surprisingly, it requires minimal time, more if you attend public hearings.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; it’s the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead

GET READY…

• Text for most bills is available online at the NH General Court website. The remaining few should be available soon.
• NH House and Senate convene on January 5 and 6, 2022 to address retained and vetoed bills.
• Public hearings could be scheduled as early as week of January 10 with very little notice.

GET SET…

• Follow closely on GSHE Action, our group specifically for following national and NH news and legislation topics.
• Be familiar with the resources on the GSHE website.
  • NH Legislators
  • Legislative Process
• Prepare testimony to either email or call committee members.
• Attend the public hearings – make it a civics field trip!
  • Set up car pools.
  • Arrange for babysitting.
  • Follow the bill with your children – civics unit study!

GO!!!

• In-person testimony is most effective followed by calls then emails. All interactions should be brief and polite.
• Mention the bill by number and include it in the subject line of all correspondence.
• Make it clear if you support or oppose the bill, or are providing neutral commentary.
• Include your town so legislators know you’re a New Hampshire resident and constituent.
• Clearly state that you want your email/testimony included in the bill's permanent record.
• Sharing your personal story and experiences on the particular issue is compelling. You do not have to cite research or be an “expert.”
• Print out copies – one per committee member plus the clerk – and distribute after you speak.
• Remarks should be 3 minutes or less.
• Practice your public testimony.
• Especially if you are giving public testimony, try not repeat what others have said, add something new. Coordinate talking points so each important issue is addressed.
• Sign in even if you don’t wish to speak – numbers matter.

It’s Up to You

• Don’t be passive, hoping someone else will write a brief email or show up at the hearings.
• This can benefit your children for years to come.
• We are standing on the shoulders of homeschoolers who demanded more educational freedom. Now it is your turn.
• If not you, who?
• If not now, when?

2022 Legislation of Interest, Updated

By Michelle Levell