Proposition 100 – Vote Yes Tool Kit

Your resource for getting out the vote in your neighborhood.

Election Day is Tuesday, May 18th!

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Welcome to your AEN Proposition 100 – Vote Yes Tool Kit!  Here you will find ideas, suggestions, and resources for getting the word out in your community about Proposition 100.  There are a variety of ways you can effectively advocate for your schools, including posters, car window decorating rallies, email campaigns and more.  These activities can be limited to your immediate family or you can recruit an entire neighborhood.
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Parents across the state are coming together and organizing a number of “Yes on 100″ events. To locate a group in your area, click AEN Proposition 100 Vote Yes Contacts.
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Have a group and don’t see it on the list?  Please send your group’s contact information to Melissa at melissa@arizonaeducationnetwork.com and we’ll gladly add it.  We welcome your tips, feedback, and shared experiences.  Please feel free to share photos of your work/events and we will gladly post them on our website and in future newsletters!
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**Before you get started, here are some important dates and informational resources you will need:

April 19 (at midnight): Deadline for voter registration.  Remember if you have moved, you need to re-register.

May 7:  Deadline for Permanent Early Ballot Requests (PEVL).  Be prepared.  Request an early permanent ballot.

April 22: Early voting begins
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May 18: ELECTION DAY!!  EARLY BALLOTS DUE BY 7 PM ON ELECTION DAY . . . BUT PLEASE MAIL THEM SOONER!
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To download an informational flyer, click Proposition-100-flyer.
To download an informational flyer in Spanish, click Proposition 100 Español.

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Make your own Signs, Flyers, and More!
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Got tape?  Markers?  Crayons?  You can make a difference using these everyday resources you have in your home to spread the word in your neighborhood community!  Just as handwritten letters are more meaningful, handwritten signs show how much our schools mean to us.
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Make it fun! Make it a party! Gathering in support for Proposition 100 and our public schools is a come one, come all, all ages event!  Grab your friends, grab your family, have a block party, or a pizza party.  Meet after school with milk and cookies. Lemonade at the park!
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Activities:

1. Make your own tee-shirts. All you need is an iron.  Tee-shirts and iron-on materials are available at Michael’s and other craft stores.  One local group simply asked a local store for help and the store donated 100 tee-shirts to her group.  You can use the logos from the Yes on 100 campaign or design your own message.
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2. Create your own Vote Yes on 100 signs. Grab the kids and some poster board.  Signs can go in your windows, in your yard or on your fence.
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3. Facts STICK better with stickers! Simply decorate plain badges from your neighborhood office supply or 99-cent store with your own Yes on 100 mottos.
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4. Chalk it up! Decorate your car with a Yes on 100 message with window chalk found at your nearby Michael’s, ACE Hardware, Target or Wal-Mart stores.
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5. Make your own Yes on 100 flyers! Facts are fun to share especially when we relate them to real people who will be impacted by the passage or failure of Proposition 100.  Be sure to check out AEN’s Proposition 100 – Your Questions Answered!

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Helpful hints & reminders:

** Include your children’s work!
** Be sure to include the date of the election: May 18^th
** Keep the message positive!

Sample Messages:

Our Children’s Future, Worth Every Penny, Yes on 100 May 18^th Vote May 18^th

A penny for our schools!

It’s your child.  It’s your school.  It’s your VOTE!

Save our school!

Save my teacher!

Protect Education, Health, and Public Safety!  Yes on 100, May 18^th

Penny + Our Children = Our Future

You can make a difference, Yes on 100 May 18^th

A Penny Makes a Difference, Yes on 100, May 18^th

Get Educated and Vote, Yes on 100, May 18^th

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Take it on the road–baseball games, football games, music recitals…

Talk about Proposition 100 at your community groups and in your schools.

1. Hold a rally or car decoration event. Many groups are working with their communities and having daily sign holding events.  Some have asked gas stations to allow them to have a car decoration event instead of a car wash.
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2. Utilize your parent/teacher organizations/associations. If they have not done so already, ask your PTA/PTO to hold an informational meeting with your principal about how the budget crisis is affecting your school.
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3. Spread the word.  Talk to your preschool, church, book club, or other groups you are involved with about the May 18^th election on Proposition 100.  No experience required!  YOU are the best advocate for your schools, and AEN is here to give you the tools and resources you need to effectively get the word out. Contact AEN for help.  We will happily provide you with a PowerPoint presentation and materials to help you facilitate this discussion.

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Get the Word Out with Email, Facebook and Twitter!

Send the following information out to your friends, community groups, sports clubs, church/religious organizations, etc. about Proposition 100.  Let them know how important it is for our children and our communities.  Underscore how important it is for parents to register to vote, and help them sign up to get a mail-in ballot that will come right to their home.  Tell them how important it is that we all vote!  Remind them: It’s your child. It’s your school. It’s your vote!

Suggested email, click Email supporting Proposition 100 you can send to friends and family or use the one below.

[Greeting]

I am writing to you about a very important election in our state.  Proposition 100 will be on the ballot May 18^th.   Our schools are already suffering and more cuts are predicted.

Proposition 100: a Temporary 1% increase in the Arizona state sales tax.

• Two-thirds (2/3) of the revenues generated would fund K-12 education.
• One-third (1/3) would fund essential services like health and public safety.
• It is estimated to generate approximately $1 billion annually.
• If approved by a majority of the voters on May 18^th, revenue collection begins in June, 2010.
• The sales tax would automatically repeal on May 31, 2013.

I learned this week that people with kids make up 2/3 of the potential voting pool in Arizona.  Yet, we only compose 1/3 of the people who actually vote! Just think if we all did vote.  I think Proposition 100 would pass for sure!  Remember: It’s your child. It’s your school.  It’s your vote!
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Register to vote online: https://servicearizona.com/webapp/evoter/

We are a busy bunch.  That’s why it’s important that parents of school-age children request to be on the Permanent Early Voting List.  Signing up allows us to vote at home, at our convenience, and EARLY!  If you’re like me, you like voting in person.  You can take your early ballot to any polling place on election day as long as it’s before 7 p.m.
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To request a Permanent Early Ballot:

* Online: https://www.azsos.gov/election/county.htm
* By phone: call us at (520) 740-4330
* By mail: print out a PDF form

Stay informed by joining the Arizona Education Network (AEN).  AEN is a non-partisan, non-profit, advocacy organization made up of parents and education supporters.  AEN’s mission is to provide factual information about education issues in Arizona and helps voters make informed decisions.

Check out their website www.arizonaeducationnetwork.com. Click here to sign up for the newsletter.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Proposition 100!

[Your name]

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Walk the Vote, Rock the Vote

For information about organizing a neighborhood walk, email melissa@arizonaeducationnetwork.com.

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“Yes on 100″ Groups in Your Area!

Look to see if there is already a group working in your area.  If you know of a group or are working with a group not listed below, please send your information to melissa@arizonaeducationnetwork.com and we will add it to the list.   And be sure to send us information on events you would like us to promote!

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It’s that time of year again when Arizona’s parents of K-12 children begin to prepare for the return to school! You’ve checked off each item on the school supply list. The backpack is packed and ready to go. The new lunch pail is in the “ready position” on the counter. And the first day of school is circled in bright red on the calendar. You and your child(ren) are SO ready!
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Hold the phone!

Your AEN team have a few additional items of academic swag to add to your list; steps you can take to be an effective advocate for your child and his/her school community. Parents are a busy bunch. Ballet, soccer, supper, family time–all important items scheduled into your day. This list of suggested steps ranges from minimum to active involvement, so you can pick and/or tailor your involvement based on your availability. You will likely see several steps you already take (yay, you!). With the help of your AEN team, you can maximize that effort in the most effective and efficient way. Now if only supper could be so easy….
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“Book it!” Bookmark your school and/or school district’s website to your web browser. This simple two minute step ensures that you remain a click away from learning what’s happening with your school community, as well as up to date on important district meetings and news.  You may also want to save your child’s teacher’s email address for easy reference and quick emails to keep the lines of communication open.
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“Hello, teach!” First school day introductions are just the beginning. Keep in touch through email, make contact at drop off/pick up, and/or a telephone call. An established communication with your child’s teacher will go a long way in diffusing an issue should one arise, as well as keep you informed as to the needs of your child, the classroom, your school community, and the teacher(s).
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“Head to the principal’s office!” Principals are important stewards of your child’s school. Don’t wait for an issue. Seek out and introduce yourself and your child to your school’s principal. This will make it easier to engage in simple “hellos,” as well as establishes an opening to any future conversations you may have regarding your child’s performance and/or the needs of your school community.
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“Attend the PTA/PTO/FFO coffee!” Whether your school has a PTA (Parent Teacher Association), PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), or FFO (Family Faculty Organization), they are a great resource and wealth of information related to your school community and the school district. Your involvement can range from attending a meeting, volunteering for a project, and/or running for President/VP/Treasurer/Secretary/Grants, etc.
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“Get active!” Locate parent, student, and community groups in your neighborhood! These organizations are full of enthusiastic supporters and advocates for public education who provide an invaluable resource to parents in our community.
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“Get to know your legislative representatives!” Knowing who your representatives are is important, but staying in touch with your legislative representatives should not be limited to the election cycle. Your AEN team’s “How to Advocate For Our Schools” is a great guide to establishing a line of communication with your elected representatives, as well as the governor, and a contact list for members can be found under the tab “Legislature & Governor”. While some issues affecting your school district and school community may be district/school specific, many begin and end at the Capitol with our elected representatives. The legislative direction and tone on issues affecting public education (read funding) can impact your school community significantly. So reach out to and politely remind them that you’re a parent with a school-aged child who votes.
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“Join the AEN team!” Your AEN team is made up of parents, grandparents, and citizens just like you who recognize the primary importance that education has within our community.  Membership is open to everyone and there are no special pledges to sign, parties to join or checks to write.  We try to make it easy to stay informed about the educational issues in our state – please join us today!
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These are tips and guidelines you can use for writing letters to officials.

*Whenever possible, use letterhead. Otherwise, use plain white bond paper. If you have an official title, use it in your signature.

*It is important that you be clear in your argument or intent, be concise with your word choice, and be respectful. Although you may feel passionately about the topic, it is important to remain courteous.

*If writing about a specific bill, refer to it’s bill number (i.e. HB 2288) or its popular name.

*Short letters are almost always best.

*Legislators like to hear opinions from their districts, form your letters based on your own experience when possible.

*Address the legislator by their titles. See legislator directory if you are unsure of their position.

Dear Senator Smith:

Dear Representative Smith:

Note: When writing to the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address them as: “Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman” or “Dear Madam Speaker or Mr. Speaker.”

How to Email Your Legislator

These are tips and guidelines you can use for emailing a letter to officials.

*In the subject line, state a position if possible. For example: “Support Public Education: LD 26 Voter” or “Vote No HB 2028: LD 19 Voter”

*It is important that you be clear in your argument or intent, be concise with your word choice, and be respectful. Although you may feel passionately about the topic, it is important to remain respectful.

*If writing about a specific bill, refer to it’s bill number (i.e. HB 2288) or its popular name.

*Short emails are almost always best. We have been told that some legislators receive 10,000 emails a week.

*Legislators like to hear opinions from their districts, form your letters based on your own experience when possible.

*Address the legislator by their titles. See legislator directory if you are unsure of their position. See above example.

*If you have an official title, use it in your signature.

How to Phone Your Legislator

These are tips and guidelines you can use for contacting an official via the telephone.

*Telephone calls are usually answered by office staff.

*Some legislators are readily accessible, others you may need to leave a message regarding your concerns/comments.

*Be prepared to state your opinion succinctly for your support or opposition to the concern/bill. You may also ask for your senators’ or representative’s position on the issue/bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.

How to Contact Govenor Brewer:

The Honorable Jan Brewer
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-4331
Toll Free: 800-253-0883

Email: http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp

How to Contact Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne

Phone: 1-602-542-3813

Toll Free: 1-800-352-4558

Press 9 and asked to be sent to his assistant

Email: adeinbox@azed.gov