Maine
In Maine, our goal is to secure ongoing state funding for establishing and maintaining programs for hands-on STEM experiences in the K-12 population across the state. By uniting teams under a common cause, we aim to raise awareness about the invaluable impact of robotics and other STEM programs upon students' career choices and opportunities, to help meet current and expanding technical workforce demands.
Step 1: Training
In advocacy, the first step is learning the ropes. You can't make a difference in the system if you don't know how it works. Training is the toolkit that gives advocates the skills and know-how to speak up effectively, connect with others, and actually bring about positive changes. It's the starting point that lets people not just understand advocacy but actively take part in it.
Introduction
Presented by: Joseph Niski
Welcome to advocacy and why we are here
Advocacy 101
Presented by: Steve Hyer
Learn about what advocacy is, how to get started, and how to build relationships.
Step 2: Live Panel Discussion
On December 2nd, 2023 we held a live event where we invited former students from Michigan, Minisota, and Massachusetts to talk about their advocacy efforts. Through this dicussion you can learn key information about what to expect when you meet with your legislators and why it is important that we work together.
Step 3: Schedule Meetings
In Maine we are focusing on the following:
- Get your legislators to know about K-12 competition robotics
Events
May 16, 2024
- 9am - Noon: Hall of Flags
- Afternoon: Meet with your elected officials
Finding your legislators
- Find My Legislator – Use this page to enter your address and it will give you both your members of the senate and the house.
- All Senators
- All Representatives
Meetings
The documents below will help you setup meetings and prepare you on what to talk about.
Sample Emails
Feel free to customize these Sample Emails to schedule your meetings with your legislators.
Talking Points
These talking points are useful to review to help give you some ideas of what you can talk about.
Step 4: Materials
You can print out these materials to hand out to your legislators.
The Southern New England Advocacy Conference was created in 2018 to get robotics teams in Southern New England to unleash the potential of advocacy in their state. In 2023 it was expanded to include all of New England and renamed States of New England Advocacy Conference.