Advocacy Award

ADVOCACY AWARD

The International Literacy Association (ILA) Advocacy Award annually recognizes state and provincial chapters that demonstrate how they are working to affect educational policy and legislation through effective advocacy at the local, state/provincial, and/or national levels.

Please review the Advocacy Award guidelines and the following reminders before you begin:

Applications for the 2025 Advocacy Award are due by December 31, 2024, and must be submitted electronically.

A chapter must have a Legislative Chair and a functioning Legislative Committee, as well as a specific issue(s) that it has focused on and/or explored during the previous year (July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024).

Attach one document for each section. Only a short summary is needed to support each criterion and should be combined into one document for each section. The uploaded file must be smaller than 50MB. Note: If your file is larger than 50MB, send the attachments via email to chapters@reading.org with the subject line ADVOCACY AWARD ATTACHMENTS.

Criteria can be met through virtual or in-person activities.

Please be sure to complete the entire application before clicking SUBMIT.

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New Users/Returning Users: CLICK HERE to either set up a new account or access a previously created account for this form only. Creating an account allows you to partially complete the award application and return later to finish, and it also enables you to view your results.

Chapter Name (No abbreviations) *

State/Province *

PREREQUISITES

The completion of the two prerequisites listed below is necessary to determine whether a chapter is eligible to apply for the ILA Advocacy Award.

1. A chapter must have a Legislative Chair and a functioning Legislative Committee. Please include a list of the names and addresses of all Legislative Committee members.
2. A chapter must have a specific issue(s) that it has focused on and/or explored during the previous year. Please include the details of the specific issue the chapter has addressed through legislative activity. Describe the issue, detail its importance to chapter members, and explain what effect these activities have had on policy or on individuals and/or chapters.

Please submit one document that responds to the above prerequisites. (Click on 'Choose File' to locate your document in your files, then click on 'Open' to attach to form.) *

EDUCATE

The chapter must demonstrate significant efforts to educate members and/or others about advocacy skills and specific legislative issues. Select a minimum of five items from the list below that the chapter engaged in.

Print articles in state/provincial newsletter or journals or on organization’s website or listserv

Present conference sessions on legislative issues

Present advocacy skill-building workshops to members

Send email updates on advocacy issues and legislative alerts

Develop and distribute resource packets on advocacy

Write policy statements on specific legislative issues

Send fax broadcasts on advocacy issues

Develop and maintain webpage section on legislative issues

Attend/observe state/provincial legislature in session

Write letters to editors about educational and legislative concerns

Write op-ed pieces about educational and legislative concerns

Present on educational legislation at PTA or other civic meetings

Conduct legislative education session at state/provincial workshop or conference

Other advocacy skills or specific legislative issues

Please attach one document that includes evidence and dates of the above activities. (Click on 'Choose File' to locate your document in your files, then click on 'Open' to attach to form.) *

ORGANIZE

The chapter must show evidence of an organizational plan that promotes a commitment to building advocacy skills within the membership. Select a minimum of five items in this category.

Develop action plan to reach specific goals

Develop Advisory Board for Legislative Committee

Build a service network within chapter, state, or province

Recruit legislative action team representative in all districts within state/province

Participate in a coalition with other organizations to advocate for educational concerns

Establish a system for education and action (e.g., procedures for sharing information)

Send action alerts to members

Organize and present a legislative session or strand of sessions at the state/provincial leadership workshop

Other organizational systems (please list and document)

Please attach one document that summarizes and/or provides evidence and dates for the items listed above. (Click on 'Choose File' to locate your document in your files, then click on 'Open' to attach to form.) *

ACTIVATE

The chapter must show evidence of involving the membership and others in activities related to educational legislation. Select a minimum of five items in this category.

Arrange for legislative or advocacy booth at state/provincial conference

Implement letter-writing, email, and/or fax campaign

Implement phone call campaign

Invite key officials to visit a school or district

Make personal visits to legislators

Give testimony to legislative committee or state/provincial board of education

Invite legislative officials to speak at meetings/conferences

Arrange a “Meet Your Representative” meeting

Arrange reception, breakfast, lunch, or dinner to honor official

Give a Legislator of the Year award

Hold informational breakfast on various topics for legislators

Use media resources

Other activation efforts (please list)

Please attach one document that summarizes and/or provides evidence and dates of the items listed above.(Click on 'Choose File' to locate your document in your files, then click on 'Open' to attach to form.) *

CONTACT PERSON

First Name *

Last Name *

ILA Membership Number

Email *

PLEASE NOTE: Once you have clicked the submit button, a page will appear thanking you for your submission. If this message does not appear, please contact chapters@reading.org to ensure that the application was received successfully. Thank you.