Legislator Tea Party
Date of Project: 2006
Name of Coalition: Princeton Area Early Childhood Coalition
MIF: Initiative Foundation,
Project Overview: We invited our state legislators, Senator Betsy Wergin and Representative Sondra Erickson, to a “tea party” on February 21 before the 2006 session started. We indeed served tea and coffee along with K-Bob’s famous homemade pie. With help from Andy Hyser, Ready 4K, we planned an agenda that included an overview of the early childhood scene in the Princeton area, the status and focus of our Coalition, personal stories from Coalition members and friends (both from the personal and professional perspectives), and specific requests of our two legislators. There was time for Q & A as well as informal conversation afterward. In all, 15 people participated. Besides our legislators, participants included our K-2 principal, ECFE coordinator, a public health nurse, a Head Start staff member, a school board member, 5 current or former ECFE/preschool parents (all making separate, specific points), a child care provider, Andy Hyser, and our Coalition coordinator.
Cost of Project:
# of Children 0-5 Served: 0
# of Children 6-18 Served: 0
# of Adults Served: 0
# Families Served: 0
Lessons Learned/Outcomes: 1. We provided the opportunity for more early childhood supporters to build relationships with our legislators in a positive environment. 2. Because we planned an agenda, had a rehearsal, and asked each speaker to focus and limit remarks, we communicated much more clearly and effectively than in the past. We were also able to maintain the focus and not let anyone, including legislators, derail us. 3. Our legislators of course made no commitments, but we presented a united front using the Ready 4K agenda as our foundation; they know we will not go away!
Project Frequency: