EVERYDAY ADVOCACY IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION K A T I E J A B R I A P R I L 2 5,

Transcription

1 EVERYDAY ADVOCACY IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION K A T I E J A B R I A P R I L 2 5,

2 OUTLINE What is Advocacy? NAFSA s Key Issues What is Going On? Why Advocacy is Important Now Ways to Advocate Through NAFSA Advocacy Training Tools to advocate How to use those tools

3 TO START We all have our special snowflakes

4 BUT TODAY IS ABOUT Optimism and everyday advocacy

5 WHAT IS ADVOCACY? Goal of advocacy is to empower individuals to voice their opinions on issues of importance Advocacy is adaptable and possible for everyone Can easily fit into your busy schedule Not scary!

6 NAFSA S KEY ISSUES Immigration Reform Simon Study Abroad Act

7 IMMIGRATION REFORM Encourage House to vote on a bill Encourage Senate to keep international education aspects of S.744 Main issues Develop a viable package for green card relief Extend dual intent for international students Restore the authority of the Secretary of State to waive personal appearances by visa applicants Issue Briefs at nafsa.org/advocacyday

8 RECAP OF 2013 AND 2014 Gang of 8 Introduces S.744 Senate passes bill in June 2013 But, Syria, Healthcare.gov, Government shutdown H.R. 15 was introduced in October 2013 Boehner using Hastert Rule on H.R. 15 Needs majority of majority support for vote Eight bills related to immigration reform have been introduced, none have come up for a vote Discharge Petition introduced by House Democrats Currently have 191 signatures, Need 218 H-1B cap for FY 2015 was reached in 5 days

9 SIGN OF HOPE? Speaker Boehner talked about immigration reform last night in Ohio

10 SIMON STUDY ABROAD ACT Urge Congress to support once reintroduced Less than 2% of U.S. college students study abroad each year Grants awarded to institutions Goals of act Diversify population of students studying abroad Diversify study abroad destinations One million students study abroad by 2020 Issue Brief located at nafsa.org/advocacyday

11 RECAP OF SIMON STUDY ABROAD ACT H.R was introduced in March 11, 2007, by Tom Lantos (D- CA) 45 co-sponors Passed in June 2007 S.991 was introduced in March 26, 2007, by Senator Dick Durban (D-IL) 49 co-sponsors No vote S.473 was introduced in February 25, 2009, by Senator Dick Durban (D-IL) 33 co-sponsors No vote

12 HERE IN IOWA Senate Charles Grassley [R] Voted no on S.744 Previously cosponsored Simon Study Abroad Act Thomas Harkin [D] Voted yes on S.744 Previously cosponsored Simon Study Abroad Act House District 1: Bruce Braley [D] Cosponsored H.R. 15 Signed discharge petition District 2: David Loebsack [D] Cosponsored H.R. 15 Signed discharge petition District 3: Tom Latham [R] District 4: Steve King [R] Strongly against immigration reform May be in favor of STEM and Simon Study Abroad Act

13 WHY ADVOCATE NOW? House Republican leaders have told NAFSA that indistrict meetings are vitally important to impacting immigration reform Rebecca Tallent, top immigration advisor for Speaker Boehner, has said that in-district meetings are important for deciding piecemeal components If the House was able to vote, immigration reform could pass 199 cosponsors of H.R. 15 and 26 Republicans in favor of path to citizenship= simple majority High need globally competent college graduates

14 ADVOCACY IN NAFSA Connecting Our World Advocacy Day Grassroots Leadership Program

15 CONNECTING OUR WORLD Creating a better world through international education Dedicated to Educating Connecting Mobilizing Great resource for tools, templates, alerts, and ways to get involved

16 ADVOCACY DAY 2014 Main advocacy event for NAFSA Every year in March Participants train for one day then go to Capitol Hill to speak with House and Senate representatives Advocacy Day 2014 had over 140 participants from 32 states

17 GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Year long commitment to grassroots advocacy Includes an orientation, individualized action plans, and a final report Cohort of up to 15 NAFSA members Applications for next cohort available in August For more information:

18 ADVOCACY TRAINING Now that you know the issues and tools from NAFA, let s do a short advocacy training How to prepare to be an advocate in any setting Three Things to Remember Know Your Stories Know Your Facts Know Your Rebuttals

19 KNOW YOUR STORIES Why tell a story? What makes a story compelling? It is about real people It stirs up emotion It is brief and easy to remember Include information like degree level, major, country of origin Ask permission to share stories Share both positive and negative stories What are your stories?

20 KNOW YOUR FACTS International Student Statistics in the US ( ) Number of students: 819,644 Economic Impact: $24 billion Jobs created: 313,000 International Student Statistics in Iowa Number of students: 11,563 Economic Impact: $325,218,000 Jobs created: 3,421 In academic year, 5,128 students in Iowa studied abroad 1.38% of the total student population in Iowa

21 KNOW YOUR REBUTTALS Myths and misconceptions may come up in conversation Try to anticipate the opposition Your stories and facts may need to be used as rebuttals Rebuttals are used to keep the conversation going For example, Immigrants take jobs away from Americans and hurt the economy!

22 REBUTTAL STYLES Factual- always respond with a fact If you look at the facts, immigrants actually boost the economy and create jobs. Co-opt concern- sympathize with concern I understand why you are concerned about this. Strawberry vs. vanilla- choice or preference without a wrong answer (like your favorite ice cream flavor) I think we can find common ground on this issue Show me the money- economic benefits International students have contributed $24 billion to the US economy.

23 REBUTTAL STYLES Change scale- put a face to the issue, big vs. small I have worked with an international student who has filled a job at a company Pivot- acknowledge statement then move on I see your point, but Agree to disagree- charm if you can not convince Let s not continue to argue about this... Some content from these slides were used by permission from Soapbox Consulting, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Content may not be distributed beyond this specific setting without the express written permission of Soapbox Consulting.

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25 ADVOCATE AT YOUR LEVEL Advocate for everyday issues Advocacy is not just rallies and picket signs Advocate at your comfort level At your institution, in your community, with your family, in Iowa, or at the national level On your own or with support from NAFSA Find a format that is comfortable for you Face to face, online, written, phone calls, etc.

26 TIME Advocacy can fit with your schedule Depending on the format, advocacy can take only minutes Send an , make a phone call, read news articles, use social media, etc. Connecting Our World has initiatives that take minimal time Letter for your representative already formatted Letter to your local newspaper already formatted District meetings are usually about 30 minutes It takes time to build relationships, but worth it

27 DISTRICT MEETINGS How to set it up Use online resources Contact local staffers Do not give up if no response What to bring with you Economic impact figures Stories NAFSA Issue Briefs Who to bring with you Colleagues International students, staff, faculty, etc. What to do after the meeting Follow up with contacts with additional information

28 CONCLUSION Now is the time to advocate Advocate at your comfort level for the area(s) you are passionate about Use resources from Connecting Our World and NAFSA Contact me with any questions Follow me on

29 CLOSING THOUGHT Encouragement from one of my Senators

30 QUESTIONS

31 RESOURCES Connecting Our World Connectingourworld.org Economic Value Tool H-1B Cap Reached in 5 Days NAFSA: Association of International Educators nafsa.org Soapbox Consulting