Pragmatic Pointers from Seasoned Young Activist

February 2008 E-Newsletter

Pragmatic Pointers by an Experienced Young Activist

by Wendy Schaetzel Lesko

High school senior Whitney Rutt of Salt Lake City is president of the Phoenix Alliance and describes herself not as a traditional student leader but one of those "black sheep."

At the end of 7^th grade she heard an ad on the radio by the Phoenix Alliance that included the famous quote by a RJ Reynolds Tobacco Executive: "We don't smoke it, we just sell it. We reserve that right for the young, the black, the poor, and the stupid." Whitney went to www.utahphoenixalliance.org and filled out an online application to join the statewide youth organization and became the youngest member. She is no longer timid about being a change agent. In the past five years, she has compiled quite a track record including winning the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Advocate of the Year Award.

On the most personal level, Whitney succeeded at persuading her mom to quit smoking as well as three other family members. With the dexterity of a seasoned activist, Whitney finds ways to circumvent limits that stop most nonprofits from influencing legislators. She proved to be an effective advocate in passage of the new state Smokefree Clubs and Bars law. In 2006 she collected 3,000 signatures on a petition to give authority to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products. She knows how to work with the schedulers and other gatekeepers to get information to her Members of Congress.

Together with 30-member Phoenix Alliance as well as local youth-led groups, Whitney now is leading a statewide initiative to convince colleges and universities to stop accepting scholarship money, sponsorship and advertising from companies marketing their smokeless tobacco products. How often does a student - who has been accepted but not yet enrolled in Southern Utah University - begin mobilizing for a major policy change.

Whitney shared with me some pragmatic pointers that are relevant to any group intent of challenging the status quo.

o Recruiting - Set up a table at concerts and go to other youth hangouts rather than relying on counselors and other school authorities to recruit the "right" youth.

o Avoiding burnout - Keep reaching out to your friends and continually bring new youth into the organization.

o Welcoming newcomers - Make sure each person who gets involved with your program is matched with a buddy who is an active member.

o Setting the agenda - A four-member executive committee meets one hour ahead of each meeting to map out the agenda.

o Presenting issues - Executive committee members do research on particular advocacy proposals or priorities and then share the information with all members so everyone has enough details to have an in-depth discussion of the pros and cons.

o Socializing - Start meetings with icebreakers and allow a set amount of time for socializing at the beginning. This reduces the cliques and also chaos.

o Making an impact - It's essential to go beyond awareness and have a "call to action" because results are necessary to keep going.

o Chronicling the campaign - Find one or two members to be historians, a videographer and/or photographer, to capture meetings and activities.

o Delegating - When you are feeling overwhelmed, break down tasks among members and if that still doesn't work, ask adult advisors to help out.

o Advice to adults - Listen and respect our ideas, find creative ways to help us like grant money, be yourself and act your age.

One real gem Whitney tossed out focuses on why it is essential to continually recruit younger members:

"Seventh and eighth graders are best at brainstorming...they go beyond expectations and stretch our thinking."

Chris Stevenson writes in Teaching Ten to Fourteen Year Olds: "[My experience] has left me with immutable optimism about the potential of young adolescent children. Given learning opportunities that truly challenge, the responsibility to exercise meaningful choices, and respect for their ideas and dignity, youngsters are capable of tremendous commitment and dazzling originality." I would add: There's no minimum age for leadership.

A FEW FAVORITES

o www.ThePetitionSite.com - CARE2 offers any individual or group concerned about green living, health, human rights or protecting the environment this tool to create and post an online petition to mobilize others.

• Engaging Youth: A How-To Guide for Creating Opportunities for Young People to Participate, Lead and Succeed is researched & written by Andy Paul and Bina Lefkovitz with the Youth Services Provide Network. The Sierra Health Foundation promotes youth development practices among those who serve tweens and teens. This 60-page booklet is available free at www.sierrahealth.org

• Real Stats = YouthFacts - Bookmark www.youthfacts.org and check these statistics before you rely on other data and while you are at it, read one of Mike Males' first rate books such as The Scapegoat Generation: America's War on Adolescents.

FORGET FACILITATORS & FORGE AHEAD AS CO-PILOTS

Facilitator is one of those clinical and impersonal terms. The neutral role of adults who are involved in youth-led advocacy does not jive with reality. Instead of passive passengers, adult allies act as co-pilots who offer information, teach specific techniques, suggest alternative routes, and also really enjoy the ride even when it’s turbulent while young activists sit at the controls and steer the plane.

Effective community change is complex and requires a potent mix of viewpoints, experiences, ideas, strategic approaches and skills. Usually adults contribute another field of vision and pool of contacts. They participate in coalition meetings with other organizations involved with related issues, read lengthy listserves, track upcoming legislative hearings, and discover other potential opportunities for youth advocacy. For example, students trying to change out-of-school suspension policies can benefit from crucial intelligence provided by adult allies who are free during the school day to monitor the board of education and perhaps community forums on No Child Left Behind.       

Ben Kirshner, Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder School of Education who used to teach in San Francisco’s Mission District, does an outstanding job describing this delicate dance between young activists and adults in a chapter entitled “Apprenticeship Learning in Youth Activism” in BEYOND RESISTANCE! This book which maintains a concentrated focus on marginalized youth of color is the first in a series published by Routledge (http://www.routledge-ny.com).

Kirshner outlines a cycle of collaboration where adults may start in the cockpit but then wind up in the back of the airplane. This three-step process can happen in one meeting or over the course of several weeks and occur repeatedly at different stages of a community change campaign.  

1)    Modeling – Storytelling with examples of successful advocacy campaigns are shared by adults, perhaps showing a videoclip of a short speech followed by a discussion about which arguments or strategies seemed the most effective.

2)    Coaching – At this juncture young activists develop speeches and then rehearse followed by feedback from peers and adults. Roleplays are another important and interactive way to practice how to respond to distracting or gotcha questions.  

3)    Fading – As youth take center stage, perhaps at a press conference or before the school board, adults vanish into the audience and relish the production.

Drawing from a case study, Kirschner writes that adults “did not adopt a neutral or facilitative role, as is often the case in constructivist, student-led approaches…Sometimes youth learned indirectly—through observation or adult actions or through participation in collegial interactions with adults.”

These and other techniques of youth-led adult-supported advocacy are described in our 150-page manual entitled MAXIMUM YOUTH INVOLVEMENT that is designed for those with more responsibility than facilitators but advisors, mentors, collaborators and yes, co-pilots!  For more information about ordering this Mega-Planner Toolkit ($35 + $6 shipping) includes our action handbook for young activists entitled YOUTH! THE 26% SOLUTION, talk with us in person at 1-800-KID-POWER or just email us.   

STUDENTS EDUCATE NOT ONLY THEIR PEERS BUT POLITICIANS

Who says politicians don’t listen or respond to those too young to vote! S.T.O.P. Abuse (Students Together for Outreach and Prevention of Abuse), a peer education initiative based in northeastern Pennsylvania designed to prevent domestic violence, demonstrates that it pays for teens to speak up and not give up.

State legislators and their staff routinely hear from professional lobbyists but information provided by unpaid young advocates resonates in a different sphere. When students meet face-to-face with elected officials, some lawmakers may take it all more personally as their minds imagine what their own children, granddaughters or nephews might be saying or thinking. There’s an even better reason why youths can penetrate the decision-making machinations of elected officials—credibility. Today’s teens are experts on their own generation and their firsthand experiences complement the hard research and data presented by the pros.

Here are several reflections shared with the Youth Activism Project by high school students active for the past 2-4 years with S.T.O.P. Abuse. Their involvement “educating” legislators helped broaden the Pennsylvania’s Protection From Abuse Act. Now this state law allows individuals to seek a Protection from Abuse order (PFA) not only against family members and “intimate” partners but also those who pose a threat, for example, an ex-boyfriend that could result in teen dating violence.

"They always underestimate us at first, and once we talk about how it affects our families or kids we know, with very specific details we get a little bit more respect. It isn’t until we demonstrate that we know what we are talking about, when they begin to respond and ask real [non-patronizing] questions. That’s when they consider the information packets that we give them more seriously.” ~ Ayanna Greene

“It was obvious that some of them [legislators] didn’t care what we had to say initially. Once we followed up our comments with statistics and quotes of victims their entire disposition shifted. We got their attention then.”
~ Kim Liburd

“I was with a woman whose sister was a domestic murder victim when we shared information with a House Representative staffer, and I felt like she [aide] was very interested in what we had to say and that she would let the Representative know what we had to say.”
~ Krystal Torress

“She [Senator Lisa Boscola] listened and talked to us. She was very supportive. It felt like she already supports victims and the proposed legislation. She invited us to send information on how it affects kids our age.”
~ Keiba Bragg-Best

The sincere respect and support by an aide to Senator Boscola expressed to S.T.O.P. Abuse representatives during one of their legislative visits to the State Capitol in Harrisburg made an indelible impression on peer educator Johnathan Miranda, that prompted him to change his career path and pursue politics rather than culinary arts.

S.T.O.P. Abuse demonstrates that in addition to the powerful influence of peer educators, these articulate well-informed youths can and should share their knowledge with policymakers—yes, politicians. It’s equally important to pursue a wide variety of activities because hanging out at one’s state legislature is a dangerous breeding ground for cynicism. Here’s a sampling of other contributions since 1998 by S.T.O.P. Abuse:

> presenting hundreds of presentations to children and teens

> speaking at conferences including the National Center for Victims of Crime

> produced a “Sociodrama”> created a public service spot

> collaborated on the “Art as Peace” initiative

> recommended changes together with R.Y.O.T. Against Rape that were incorporated in an educational music video about male sexual violence

For more information, contact:

S.T.O.P. Abuse & Women’s Resource Center of Monroe County

http://www.enter.net/~wrmc/youth-outreach.html

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

http://www.pcdv.org

National Center for Victims of Crime Teen Victim Project

http://www.ncvc.org/tvp/main.aspx?dbID=dash_Home

National Domestic Violence Hotline

http://www.ndvh.org/educate/teen.html

Powerful Advocacy Punch:
Combining Youth Perspectives With Compelling Visuals

Young State Legislator Offers Lobbying Strategies

Assuming you aren’t a major campaign contributor, what’s the most effective way to get a legislator to pay attention to your views?

a. Send your elected official an e-petition with several thousand names

b. Generate 200 separate e-mail messages to your representative

c. Meet for several minutes with your legislator

As you may have guessed, clicking your mouse to communicate with a politician doesn’t carry much weight. Cyberspace certainly helps cultivate your grassroots support but there is no substitute for face-to-face interactions between elected officials and their constituents.

One terrific young activist, who was first elected at age 24 to the Georgia State Legislature, is more adamant than ever to see more young people get involved with electoral politics – whether it’s lobbying or running for office. She is eager to speak to audiences all over the country to convince them to make their voices heard. This African-American legislator “has earned a reputation as a firebrand and continues to deliver loud, impassioned speeches,” according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Unlike most politicians, Rep. Morgan gives out her home telephone number and wants to hear from constituents, including those not yet of voting age. She shared some strategies with the Youth Activism Project on how young people can compete with hired guns who are paid to lobby.

REP. MORGAN’S TOP 20 TIPS FOR LOBBYING LEGISLATORS

Good Strategies

1. View being young as an asset and not a hindrance; and carry yourself accordingly.
2. Prepare for the meeting by knowing relevant information about the legislator (committees, district, party affiliation, previous votes, issues of interest).
3. Know your facts and why your view is right, and understand the political ramifications for him or her as well.
4. Find out the communication strategy that a particular legislator is more likely to respond to (fax, phone call, e-mail, letters, etc.)
5. Be sure to be nice and respectful to their office staff. These people are the gatekeepers and can sometimes make or break a meeting.
6. Prepare who will speak and what will be said.
7. Allow enough time for a response and a commitment.
8. Thank them for meeting with you, even if they don’t agree with your position.
9. Leave materials (including how you can be contacted) if you are meeting with the legislator.
10. Organize your peers and adults (especially voters) to make phone calls, send e-mails, faxes, or make visits to their own legislators. Ask them to share their personal stories.
11. Invite the legislator to attend a meeting on your turf (when appropriate).
12. Join other coalitions on issues that may not have a direct impact on you, but may be of interest. This will help you to build relationships and you can call on these groups for an issue specific to you.
13. Understand when it is best to get the news media involved.
14. Get creative if the typical meetings and other forms of communication don’t work. You are young and have the ability to grab the attention of the media and anyone else when the time is right.
15. Continue to develop relationships with lawmakers for continued access.

    Bad Strategies

1. Don’t send form letters, e-mails, faxes, etc. Legislators do not respond well when there is a feeling that one particular group is organizing people to lobby on an issue. It doesn’t give a “real constituent feel.”
2. Don’t assume because the legislator is a different party affiliation that he/she will not listen.
3. Don’t allow a legislator to use you as a photo op and not take you seriously.
4. Don’t rule out a face-to-face visit during the legislative session if all other approaches fail. Personal contact has the best impact and rarely do we see actual constituents.
5. Don’t leave a meeting without some commitment (if not a decisive answer on how the legislator will vote, then a commitment on contacting you about his/her decision.

When the Georgia Legislature is not in session, Rep. Morgan hopes to travel all over the country to inspire and train people to participate more fully in the public policy arena. While at Spelman College, Alisha started the Niamani Project to develop self-esteem and leadership skills of youths by using the arts to address social issues. Upon graduation, Alisha worked for the Alliance for Justice where she trained high school students in community organizing to help them create a voice for themselves and help stop gun violence. To contact this “Unsung Heroine,” (one of her awards she received by the Anti-Defamation League), call 770-912-0609 or email alisha@alishamorgan.com.

Youth Speakers Who Change Hearts & Minds
Of The Powers-That-Be

Imagine attending a three-day conference and the final plenary session is a panel of high school and college students. Probably you expect to hear one inspiring speech that will help savor your flagging sense of optimism about the future when you return home. Such was the scene at the U.S. Forest Service’s Centennial Congress held in Washington, D.C. this past January. Not only did the youth panel bearing the title “Conservation Leaders: Today and Tomorrow” receive an enthusiastic reception it got a standing ovation.

The session opened with a seven-minute video that captured reactions of the six panelists between 16 to 24 years of age attending various events throughout the Centennial Congress. Pipa Elias, the principal choreographer and U.S. Forest Service intern on loan from the Student Conservation Association, wanted an unfiltered MTV “Real World” video. She urged the six young environmentalists to express their views, even shock the Delegates attending this historic convention.

Following the short video that Ms. Pelias edited on her Mac, each of the panelists delivered five-minute speeches. One of the high school speakers, John Vogel who serves on Earth Force’s national board of directors, said: “I implore the Forest Service to look toward youth education, involvement, and empowerment to solve its problems of the future.” One of the college students spoke of the disappearance of so many youth programs due to budget cuts. Jim Oftedal with the Central California Consortium, accustomed to collaborating with young people, served as skillful moderator, adding to the overall cohesive performance. For the finale, each of the panelists took turns reading portions of a compelling letter they drafted together:

Educate us! Involve us! Inform us! Although an anomaly among our peers we are asking that you increase educational opportunities to make our passions the norm. We ask that you trust us. By investing in us you will develop a lasting legacy that will care for the land and serve communities. Through active and flexible youth development and involvement programs you will soon create an educated, informed, and involved group of productive youth.

The Chief of the U.S. Forest Service remarked, “The panel was unbelievable!” (For additional information on this event, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/centennial) Here is a rundown of some of the preparatory activities that can make such a youth presentation at an adult conference exceed all expectations.

	Decide to put young people on center stage rather than adult representatives of youth-serving organizations
	Collaborate with partner organizations that can identify some of their most articulate and passionate young activists who can wow the crowd
	Show respect in conference planning meetings by viewing the youth panel as substantive and serious as any other presentation
	Commit adequate staff for planning and coordination
	Select one or two individuals who have rapport, credibility and smarts in working effectively with each of the youth presenters
	Entrust these individuals to encourage the student presenters to speak their minds and be honest
	Devote the necessary resources and budget (creating a short video, providing business cards for each of the speakers, etc.)
	Select a moderator who is experienced in collaborating with young activists
	Make sure there is plenty of time for the youth panelists and the moderator to get acquainted, exchange ideas and strategize together
	Invite youth presenters to attend other conference events rather than being treated as outsiders or limited to the “youth track”
	Videotape the presentation so it can be replayed to other audiences of all ages

This closing event at the Centennial Congress demonstrates the importance of such presentations that inspire and spur adults to view young people as equal players in the public policy arena. Many more adults need to experience such ‘aha’ moments to reduce age segregation and realize 17-year-old Vogel’s vision: “One can get an intelligent decision from the public first by education of its youth, second, by involving their youthful enthusiasm, and last by allowing for their participation in the sometimes contentious debate.”

Marginalized Youths Succeed At Making Their Voices Heard

“We’re not just talking about giving young people a voice but getting adults to have an ear.” This line of Roger Hart’s serves as a splendid reminder for those who genuinely seek to rely on young people to guide programming decisions, strategic planning and public policymaking.

The influential involvement of young people in foster care stands out as one of the most significant areas of meaningful youth engagement during the past five years. Legislation in several states that waive college tuition for foster youths is one such success. Usually policymakers hear from adults who advocate on behalf of those in out-of-home placements. Across the country, there are face-to-face interactions between lawmakers and young people in the child welfare system. It’s clear that some of the most vulnerable and marginalized youths are being seen and heard by the powers-that-be.

A major catalyst for serious youth involvement can be traced to the Chafee Act, formally known as the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999. This federal law requires states to involve young people in the design of independent living programs and give those in custody a voice in developing their individual case plans.

One shining example is the Youth Leadership Advisory Team (YLAT) in Maine. This statewide organization provides a platform for current or former foster youths between the ages of 14 to 21 to raise key concerns. Recently I had the opportunity to meet a high school student, who at age 15 wrote a wrenching letter to the governor that did not end up in the trash.

She expressed the agony of not being able to see her two younger brothers who remain in the custody of her mother. Knowledgeable about the state guidelines that recommend visitations among siblings in foster care and those in adoptive or biological homes, she revealed how this voluntary policy does not compel her mother to let her see her brothers. This two-page letter also cited research that the bond between brothers and sisters is sometimes stronger than the bond between parent and child. Other studies she obtained emphasized that the separation of siblings causes a greater risk of emotional disturbances and school problems. She urged the governor to push for legislation to mandate “meaningful regular visitations” among siblings.

In addition to this letter, this 10th grader made a poignant presentation at a state conference of legal aid attorneys and testified before the state legislature. Her personal story and well-researched arguments are moving this sibling visitation proposal through the public policy pipeline.

The track record of this particular foster youth organization is not dependent on typical critical success factors such as sophisticated Internet activism or clever media messages. Some reasons for its impact include a stable staff and superb collaboration with the Department of Human Services and numerous nonprofit agencies.

Perhaps the underlying success of YLAT and other statewide foster youth organizations is an adult mindset that the real experts are those who currently are in out-of-home placements and former foster youths. YLAT Coordinator Penthea Burns, joined by several of her colleagues, describe the intergenerational synergy this way:

The youth and adults who partner in this effort really focus on accomplishing our goals while also fostering our bonds with one another. Adults support youth in developing their knowledge and skills that enable them to do the great job that they do. It's important that the youth have a positive experience and get the opportunity to develop skills (advocacy, public speaking, understanding the legislative process, how to write testimony, developing and writing policy). The youth's expertise about living in the system is irreplaceable. Additionally, the youth just do not give up.

Professional advocates as well as policymakers seem to be acquiring “an ear” that really allows them to listen and respond to the needs expressed by young people in care.

Strategies For Successful Intergenerational Synergy

Storytelling As A Powerful Teaching Tool

The vast majority of young people have little or no confidence in their ability to influence school superintendents, police chiefs, elected officials and other decision makers. They are right to be skeptical. Even well funded adult-run advocacy campaigns fail to persuade the powers-that-be. But there is no denying the triumphant examples of youth-led projects that validate Margaret Mead’s inspiring line:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Such success stories can serve as a catalyst in convincing minors that they can be effective change agents. As long as young people are unaware of teens—even tweens—making history, they are likely to accept the justifiably cynical attitude: “Why bother? Who will listen to us?”

Despite efforts of national clearinghouses such as ours that track and publicize youth-driven initiatives, most of these stories vanish. The ‘silo effect’ contributes to this problem. Typically each organization tends to be so focused on its own mission that it is clueless about the campaigns involving young people on other issues on the other side of town. Turnover among youth workers, community organizers and educators increases the likelihood that prior victories will soon be forgotten. Recognition ceremonies and awards help, but rarely provide more than the proverbial 15 minutes of fame.

Thanks to the growth of visual arts, documentation of grassroots movements is booming. Digital cameras and mini-cams mean web sites help keep this history alive. Perhaps one day there will be multimedia venues, modeled after Cleveland’s Rock ‘n Roll Museum, that showcase how young people can move mountains—well, at least motivate or shame policy makers to take action.

For the meantime, the Youth Activism Project suggests a low-tech storytelling method as a tool to inspire and teach youth-led advocacy.

	SEARCH LOCALLY - Contact local youth organizations, public interest groups, school board, city council, etc. A key question might be: “In the past few years, have students or out-of-school youth given formal testimony or been a spokesperson at a news conference?” Be prepared for a quick “no” and be persistent.
	RESEARCH NATIONALLY - Target state and national organizations that are working on the same issue as your group, for example, teen suicide prevention. Explain you are looking for examples of young people who have played significant roles. Usually you will learn about peer education and community awareness activities. Expect to dig deeper to find young people who have been involved in the public policy arena.
	COLLECT ARTICLES, VIDEO CLIPS, etc. – Request copies of newsletters, print pages from web sites filled with photographs, see about getting a videotape of a TV story featuring young activists. This visual evidence is particularly useful in dispelling the myth that those not old enough to vote are powerless.
	INCLUDE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES – Assemble a case study that details the school or community issue, the age range and number of youth (and adults) involved, their research methods (surveys, forums, community mapping, etc.), recruiting supporters, collaborating with other organizations, gaining media attention, meeting with key decision makers and, of course, their ultimate victory.
	PRESENT AND CRITIQUE – Share these true stories, ideally enhanced with photographs, video clips, etc., and facilitate a discussion about how and why these young advocates were successful. Encourage conversation about the overall campaign and expect some to disagree with either the proposed solution or particular tactics. Then brainstorming can move toward identifying a community problem and developing a gameplan for action.
	MIX IT UP – Consider including a few stories that are fiction and let the participants guess whether they are true or not. Such a “Believe It Or Not” approach enlivens the discussion and engages the audience to a greater degree. This interactive storytelling method is outlined in detail with examples and video clips, in our training toolkit called “Knock-Your-Socks-Off Training Teens to be Successful Activists! The Complete Guide to Facilitating this 1-2 Hour Workshop.” (To order, visit http://www.youthactivism.com/prodindex.php or call us at 1-800-KID-POWER.)

Expectations change when young people and equally important, their adult advisors learn about what other teenagers have done in changing a policy, helping to defeat a proposal, or getting a law passed. The possibility and plausibility of youth as change agents spur the imagination to move beyond the comfort zone of traditional community service to challenging the status quo.

Teen Changes Open-Records Law

Tenth grader Michael Barker was impressed with all the state-of-the-art computer equipment throughout his school district in northern Louisiana. But it seemed that “computers were appearing out of thin air” and he thought there might be ways to save money on certain technology and make smarter purchases. Over a year ago, Michael sent his first letter to the LaSalle Parish School Board requesting records about these expenditures with the idea of reviewing the information and then making recommendations. No response was forthcoming. He fired off two more letters and then went in person to the school board office. Finally, his fourth letter elicited a reply from the school superintendent last November that claimed the records were off-limits because he was “under the age of majority.”

This rebuff from school officials only strengthened Michael’s resolve. What follows is a play-by-play of his remarkably successful campaign. His story brings to life the dry civics course of ‘how a bill becomes a law.’ I would wager that even professional lobbyists can pick up some clever moves from this student activist who had no prior advocacy experience.

STEP I: DOING THE DETECTIVE WORK

An Internet search identified a Louisiana coalition that promoted public access of government records as well as open meetings. This group suggested he contact a long-term activist who was passionate about this issue. Michael called and the Baton Rouge resident made the 2-hour drive to the LaSalle Parish School Board and only with the help of an attorney, obtained some records.

The fact that minors were denied access caused Michael to pursue changing the law. He thought that high school newspaper journalists, for example, should have the opportunity to seek this sort of information. His initial connections led him to the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council. This organization, with a long history of fighting corruption since the days of Huey Long, had been trying to repeal this age restriction. Michael’s determination to wage this campaign increased after learning that Louisiana was the only state with this “under the age of majority” provision.

STEP II: SELECTING A SPONSOR

No matter that he wasn't old enough to vote, Michael played constituent and sought out one of his state lawmakers, Representative Tommy Wright to sponsor a bill. Michael happened to know the legislative assistant from church and stopped by the office to see her. Days later, he showed Rep. Wright his research about the state ACLU, Louisiana Press Association and Public Affairs Research Council support for amending the law. What really clinched the legislator’s interest was the sentence in the superintendent’s letter to Michael that read “you are not entitled to these records,” and any further questions should be directed to the school board’s attorney.

Every couple of days Michael called or e-mailed the legislative assistant and two weeks later, Rep. Wright introduced House Bill 492 to eliminate the age requirement in the 2004 Session of the Louisiana Legislature.

STEP III: CONVINCING THE COMMITTEE

Michael made his first trip to the State Legislature in Baton Rouge and testified before the House and Governmental Affairs Committee. He brought copies of his letters to the superintendent and in his short statement described how the school board ignored his requests for months, and then added this appropriate indictment: “Our education system strives daily to improve upon people’s involvement in the democratic process. This bill would allow young people all over the state of Louisiana the opportunity to get involved with the day-to-day operations of our state government.”

Much to his surprise, no one testified against the bill—not even the LaSalle Parish School Board—and the committee vote was unanimous. The school officials remained silent and even refused comment when questioned by reporters.

STEP IV: AVOIDING STALLING TACTICS

	It’s always easier to kill legislation than move it forward and any delays can jeopardize the life expectancy of a bill. Michael downloaded free-of-charge the Legislator’s Handbook, written for newly elected Louisiana lawmakers and realized that he needed to keep pressing for action. As soon as the proposal emerged from the committee, he asked Rep. Wright to arrange for floor debate by the House and the legislation passed unanimously.
	Michael made another trip to Baton Rouge to give the same testimony before the Senate committee with authority over government sunshine laws and again won praise for his lobbying effort. The bill received another unanimous vote.
	While watching the Senate Floor proceedings on the Internet, Michael noticed a parliamentary maneuver that took House Bill 492 off the calendar, which often means the opposition is throwing up a blockade. Michael learned through the grapevine that his own state senator had a personal vendetta against Rep. Wright, the bill’s sponsor.

STEP V: ENGAGING THE NEWS MEDIA

Michael called a reporter at the Capitol News Bureau with whom he spoke a few weeks earlier when he testified. The 17-year-old wisely thought that the journalist could extract information about why the senator was blocking the bill and a subsequent newspaper article revealed the animosity between the two legislators. The media spotlight caused the senator to relent. In the final days before the legislature adjourned, another senator and strong supporter of public records agreed to manage the bill on the Senate Floor. The bill passed with only one nay vote.

On July 21, Michael Barker made a third trip to the state capitol to be present when Governor Kathleen Blanco signed House Bill 429. As soon as the law takes effect on August 15, this high school senior plans to visit his school board and request more records, especially studying contracts and the bidding process for computer and wireless technology. He thinks some local firms may offer the school district better deals as well as faster service and perhaps provide a boost in terms of economic development for his hometown of Jena, Louisiana.

Michael doesn’t mince words: “Our state has a terrible reputation of being corrupt. I went against some of the most politically powerful people in the parish and I’m proud of what I was able to do.” He hopes his legislative odyssey will inspire others—especially students—to fight for whatever needs fixing or seems unjust. Michael is eager to share his experience and can be reached at via e-mail at Michael@michaelwbarker.com or by contacting me at 1-800-KID-POWER or wendy@youthactivism.com.

His campaign proves just how crucial it is to build a case, connect with advocacy groups, cultivate inside allies, anticipate potential roadblocks, capture the attention of the news media and above all, be persistent.

OUTSMARTING THE LEGISLATIVE OBSTACLE COURSE

Michael Barker’s story proves that minors can make a major impact. Our national clearinghouse urges everyone not to sit on the sidelines but influence legislators and other decision makers on whatever issue you care about. YOUTH! THE 26% SOLUTION, which I co-authored with 19-year-old Emanuel Tsourounis, provides the complete roadmap for initiating a campaign and winning. “Activist teens and the adults who work with them will find the book most helpful and motivational,” according to the American Library Association Booklist. To order this 130-page action handbook, visit http://www.youthactivism.com/prodindex.php. Call us at 1-800-KID-POWER for discount prices when ordering multiple copies for your upcoming trainings and conferences.

Adult Attitudes Reap Rewards of Youth Perspectives