Doing What Matters For Tuscaloosa's Children

Wednesday I attended the Doing What Matters For Tuscaloosa's Children Conference held at the Bryant Conference Center. The conference comprised of leaders in all fields of education and touched on a broad range of topics ranging from Advocacy for Education in the Legislature to Budgeting and financing education in the state of Alabama. The conference was held throughout the afternoon from roughly 10a to 3p CST. I had the opportunity to sit in on a powerpoint presentation from John Gilbert, a lobbyist for RISE. Gilbert's depiction for Alabama's education system was very bleak. The main issue as is the case for many issues was money. In the state of Alabama there is a lack of understanding in how to manage its finances especially in terms of the education system. Budgets are made with no real backing of where the money is coming from and as a lobbyist Gilbert finds that he has little power in an administration that has so many conflicting opinions. However, Gilbert did express some hope in that of the constituents and the people. The emphasis of his lecture was to show how the constituents had the real power to make a change. Legislators and public officials are forced to run for their position every two or four years, and therefore to maintain their position they need to appease their constituent body. A very good point indeed. Gilbert touched on four points that could make the situation better in the state of Alabama:

• Build relationships

Gilbert expressed to visit your congressman or legislator so that you that you are familiar with one another. That way he or she is more likely to listen to you, and get a better understanding for the pulse of the community. Likely how you feel is indicative of the community as a whole, though this may not be the case all the time.

• Invite legislators to your functions

Gilbert expressed that inviting your congressman or legislator to events in the community builds comradery. He or she understands how the community interacts and how they really feel on certain issues.

• Visit with them

Gilbert asked that you visit them. Don't show up unannounced he mentioned, but at least try to coordinate times to say hi. It doesn't always have to be political.

• Speak to them in the community

Gilbert said to be friendly with your legislators and congressman and make sure to recognize them in public. He also asked people to write their local paper, because legislators read the editorials and things people send in.


Gilbert also mentioned to be well-versed in whatever issue you present to the powers of government and to have developed a backing before confronting them with the issue. He admitted that it is important to be forceful, not aggressive. Gilbert said that it was imperative t be resolution minded when in the midst of political figures because too much pathos arguments can get you dismissed from the conversation altogether no matter how important the subject matter.

Lastly, Gilbert mentioned to always thank politicians for their time. Whether you feel you got something out of it or not, it is not, though thought to be, required for them to listen to you. They have a number of things to do aside from listen to complaints that can be filtered through their assistants and secretaries.

At the end of the day, it really comes to down to what you do. Government works from the ground up and this not in different in advocating education. Change to a failing administration on education will not change if people do not stand up and do something about it themselves. Spread your message, be clear, simple and concise, and collaborate with others that have the same initiative.