Advocacy Committee
We are excited to announce the formation of an Advocacy Committee at the Museum. Advocacy is about Relationship Building Engaging in advocacy is really something we do every day. Telling folks about our museum and making a case for support is what we do all the time. It does not matter what your political views are. Elected officials care so deeply about Alaska. They care about Alaska Museums.
The Advocacy Committee will:
- Develop a simple, but effective message that all members of the Board and the committee can communicate consistently to decision –maker, focusing on a few key points about the importance of the Museum in society and how the Museum contributes to the well-being of the community.
- Promote alliances between the Museum and non-cultural organizations such as teacher’s organizations, travel and tourism groups, organizations serving youth and business groups. Develop collaborative strategies to promote issues of mutual interest.
- Meet elected officials whenever possible, even at events that aren’t about museums and cultural organization. Introduce yourself to your legislators or other public officials in attendance, and identify your connection with the Museum.
- Cultivate legislative friends for the Museum. Identify at least one legislator to educate about the Museum, its programs, and the impact the Museum has on the community. Show them how their support for the Museum can help them achieve their other legislative goals (economic development, reduced unemployment, improved education, better quality of life).
- Involve legislators personally by inviting them to programs and exhibitions; invite them to attend board meetings. Acknowledge them publicly when they attend. Allow legislators to announce publicly a grant awarded by public agencies to the Museum.
- Arrange a group visit to your legislator’s office to discuss the impact of museums in your community, gathering a diverse group of interested and knowledgeable people can demonstrate the breadth of interest in the museum among your legislator’s constituents.
- Generate public service announcements, letters to the editor and opinion pieces to reinforce the message that public dollars spent on the museum provide program for the entire community. Create PSAs in partnership with a media center or a communications department at a university or local school.
- But most importantly, as the Museum begins the planning process for a new facility, the Advocacy Committee will work in tandem with the Building Committee to make sure that Local, State and Federal Legislators are kept informed about our progress and generate support.