The Oklahoma Council of the Blind Advocacy Training seminar will be held on January 9, Saturday, from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M.

The location is Deaconess North, 5701 N. Portland, in the basement.

This is your chance to glean how best to communicate your issues and concerns to your legislators, how to accomplish this concisely, how to network with others and what your legislators would like to know from you.

Kara Joy McKee with the Oklahoma Policy Institute will be our trainer. Legislators will also join us to give their perspective.

It is important that you contact us to let us know you will come so we have handouts for you and enough food.

If you need financial assistance to pay for transportation, the OCB Board of Directors has approved a limited amount of financial assistance for transport:

1. Up to $65 per vehicle for gasoline. Note: the words up to!!!
2. You must have a receipt.
3. If you take a cab, you must obviously pay the driver. Then you will file with OCB for reimbursement from the Judy Pool Hansen Transportation Fund. A receipt for the trip to and from the event is required.

Contact:
Vicky Golightly 
(405) 740-6227
vgolight@yahoo.com

Jay Doudna
405) 942-3413
jaydoudna@cox.net

Agenda

9:00-10:00 presentation from Kara-Joy “KJ” McKee, Outreach and Advocacy Specialist

-Who are OK Policy and Together Oklahoma and how they can be resources for you.

-What is legislative advocacy, when is it important, what can you accomplish, when is it appropriate, and analyzing issues.

-Who are you advocating to and how to do so effectively.

10:00-11:15 Legislative Panel:  Senators Greg Treat, David Holt, Ervin Yen, and Representative Elise Hall.   Facilitator:  Kara Joy.  

-Each legislator will say a little about themselves and their priorities as.

-What are the best ways to communicatewith legislators and to meaningfully present issues in ways that are accessible and easily digestible by those who represent each of us at the Oklahoma State Capitol? 

-Questions from the audience.

11:00 to 11:30 Break Legislators are invited to share refreshments and visit with attendees.

11:30-1:00 presentation from KJ:

-Telling your own compelling story: Communicating with legislators via short succinct written and spoken presentations.  How to keep them accountable and keeping yourself on track.

-Role play legislator and constituent

-Coalitions, tools, and strategy

-Questions and final thoughts