Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, our goal is to secure state funding for all robotics teams through dedicated advocacy efforts. By uniting teams under a common cause, we aim to raise awareness about the invaluable impact of robotics education. Our mission is clear: to ensure that every robotics team in the state receives the financial support necessary for growth and sustained success.
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.
Effective Meetings
Presented by Steve Hyer
Learn how to prepare for your meeting, do's and don'ts of meetings, logistics, and following up afterwards.
State Government 101
Coming Soon
How does a bill become a law? What is the process to make this happen?
- Download Presentation
Education Funding
Coming Soon
Learn how funding goes from the state to your local school district.
- Download Presentation
Step 2: Attend Live Event
Saturday, December 2nd, 2023
Each year SNEAC puts on a live conference where teams get the opportunity to learn more about advocacy and ask questions.
This year the event will be virtual via Zoom and available in person at the following locations:
- University Day at UConn
- Vex Event at WPI
Schedule
- 10:00am: Intro & Welcome
- 10:15am: Panel Discussion
- 11:00am: Break
- 11:15am: Panel Discussion
- 11:50am: Closing
- Noon: Event ends
If you can't attend in person then you can watch the event on this site after the fact. We ask that everyone watching registers so we can keep in contact with you and help you with planning your meetings for your Advocacy Day.
Step 3: Schedule Meetings
In Rhode Island we are focusing on the following:
- Get your legislators to know about K-12 competition robotics
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.