NATIONAL CLASSICS WEEK 2019

Part 2 - Member Advocacy

National Classics Week was April 15-21, 2019.  The National Junior Classical League Officers put together a great packet of ideas about how you and your students can celebrate. Included on that page is a guide to getting a proclamation at your state or local level for Classics Week.  Check it out for next year!

We are extending the celebration to take advantage of ACL's 100th birthday on April 21.  We invite our members to join in National Classics Week by participating in an advocacy event, contacting your elected officials.

The ACL Board of Governors and the ETC Executive Committee held their mid-year meetings in Washington D. C.. Those who could come early took the day meeting with legislators, or staff members, letting them know what is important to us.

Here are three steps to exercise your right to contact your legislators:

1)  Read up on the talking points for the four items on the agenda that we are asking of legislators:

• send a letter of congratulations honoring ACL's Centennial; we will have a poster at Institute listing all the legislators who wrote to us.
• consider sponsoring a resolution declaring April 21 National Classical Education Day. 

The set of talking point is slightly different for the Senate than from the House. 

House Talking Points

Senate Talking Points

The Talking Points include a sample letter of Congratulations and a sample resolution.

2)  Find your legislators:

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

3)  Contact them!

The easiest way is to go to the legislator's website. There is usually a CONTACT US tab.  There you will find phone numbers for the Washington D. C. office as well as the local office. 
Start with the D.C. Office and ask for the contact information for the staff member who handles Education issues.  Make sure the person who answers the phone knows you are a constitutent.
You will likely get an email address. Use the EMAIL SCRIPT below as a guide. Email the appropriate talking points, and include a few personal observations. 

You might set up a phone call with the staffer. In that case, email the talking points, but save the personal information for the phone. See sample PHONE SCRIPT below. 

If it is convenient, you can contact the local office and make an appointment with someone there and drop by in person. 

No matter what, follow up in about two weeks if you have not heard back. Requests like this can get lost in the shuffle, so you are just reminding them. 

Contact Sherwin Little and share your successes and ask any questions. 

PHONE SCRIPT once you know the name of the staff member:

Hello, my name is ____________ and I am a _______________ [share a few personal details: 1) town you live in - make sure they know you are a constituent, 2) professional status/title/location, 3) any other relevant info such as successful programs in the area]

I am calling today as a proud member of the American Classical League, a national non-profit community of educators promoting the study of Latin and Greek. ACL is celebrating our Centennial this year, and we want to be sure [Senator's or Representative's name] is aware that Latin and Greek are alive and well in [area].

Specifically, I would like to ask the Congress member to send a letter of congratulations for our organization's centennial. In addition, I would ask that the member support our resolution to recognize April 21st -- the birth of Rome -- as "National Classics Education Day" across America. I will email you a copy of our information, including templates for both. 

[Pause]

Do you think the member would commit to signing our centennial congratulatory letter? 

[Pause] 

Do you think the member would commit to joining our "National Classics Education Day" resolution to bring awareness to the importance of studying the Classics?

[Pause]

[If they have additional questions, ask to follow up with them via email. Thank the staffer for their time and their hard work. Remember to give them your 1) name, 2) zip code, and 3) organization name (ACL).]

EMAIL SCRIPT

Dear _____ (name of staffer)

My name is ____ and I am contacting your office on behalf of the American Classical League (ACL). ACL is a national non-profit promoting the study of Latin and Greek which has, for the past 100 years, supported the teaching and learning of the Classics, including Latin and Greek languages, literature, and cultures. 

I am calling today as a proud member of the American Classical League, a national non-profit community of educators promoting the study of Latin and Greek. ACL is celebrating our Centennial this year, and we want to be sure [Senator's or Representative's name] is aware that Latin and Greek are alive and well in [area].

Specifically, I would like to ask the Congress member to send a letter of congratulations for our organization's centennial. In addition, I would ask that the member support our resolution to recognize April 21st -- the birth of Rome -- as "National Classics Education Day" across America. I will email you a copy of our information, including templates for both. 

Studying Classics is an enriching way for all students at all levels to enhance their understanding of foundational aspects of the United States and Western thought, and to develop crucial English language and literacy skills. Latin and Greek serve as a catalyst for success, opening doors to additional language learning and cultural exploration, as well as endless opportunities after graduation. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be happy to answer any future questions regarding the state of language education in the United States. 

Sincerely,