LED is your chance to educate a legislator
Legislative Education Day (LED) is a prime opportunity for elected officials at the state level to hear from the experts on education — you!
Set for March 5-6 in Salem, LED is a two-way learning process. First, it’s an opportunity for us to educate legislators on the important work we do in our K-12 schools, community colleges, education service districts, higher education, Head Start agencies, park and recreation districts and libraries. It’s also a great chance for members to dig into the legislative priorities OSEA is pursuing.
Marie Wolfe of David Douglas Chapter 40 talks with state Sen. Michael Dembrow during Legislative Education Day (LED) 2015. LED is an opportunity for members to come face to face with their legislators.
“It’s a great experience to be in the Capitol and meet legislators in their offices to speak one-on-one,” Reynolds Chapter 37 President Cindy Dominiak said. “Learning about Oregon’s history on the Capitol tour is a bonus!”
You’ll also get a chance to hear from statewide officials — speakers at prior LED events have included the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer and labor commissioner.
OSEA members, including ROSE, are invited to take part in this important opportunity to trade facts and wisdom with elected officials. You can register by visiting www.osea.org/events/led and filling out the simple online form.
Dominiak said the meetings with legislators reveal nuances you just can’t see from simply reading about them in the media.
“They share things in a small group that you have never heard before,” Dominiak said. “You can tell by the nonverbal communication with them what they are really excited about.”
LED is actually a two-day event, beginning at the Salem Convention Center on Sunday. The preparation and educational opportunities on Sunday are an essential part of LED. No matter how much you know about Oregon’s legislative process, you’re sure to learn something new. Topics discussed include how a bill becomes law and how best to interact with elected officials.
“It’s a real eye-opener,” McMinnville Chapter 90 President Paula Roth said. “It tends to solve the mystery of government and how it functions — something we all need to know.”
On Monday, members can tour the Capitol building, attend committee hearings and talk with representatives and senators individually about local or statewide concerns.
“The one-on-one contact with your district legislators is my favorite component,” Roth said. “Once you are there, you realize this is the people’s house.”
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