Policy Tools and Resources
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Educating and Informing Policymakers
Corporation for National and Community Service grantees and sub-grantees and non-profit organizations cannot lobby around specific pieces of legislation at the federal, state or local levels. Some grantees are also public charities (i.e., nonprofit groups with an IRS 501(c)(3) designation) and must generally avoid spending any substantial portion of their budgets on lobbying activity unless they have "elected" to file reports under the section 501(h).
Non-electing public charities may not express a position to a legislator or legislative staff member on a specific piece of legislation or a decision affecting a specific piece of legislation or propose a specific piece of legislation. Moreover, no portion of their budget received as a donation from a private foundation may be used for lobbying activities. Corporation grantees and non-profits can, however, participate in the regulatory process and can always participate in the judicial process.
That said, there are a variety of ways service-learning practitioners can make sure the public has a clear understanding of the impact service-learning has on students, schools, and communities. Download the materials that will help you to build public awareness and support for service-learning.
| Tips for Working with Policymakers |
| Do's and Don'ts of Working with an Elected Official |
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New Resources for Service-Learning Advocates
Get the information you need to understand how the federal budget proposals and recent policy developments may impact service-learning. Learn more about safe ways to advocate for service-learning at the federal, state and local levels.
"How to Inform and Engage Policymakers" is a PowerPoint presentation developed by SEANet in collaboration with the National Service-Learning Partnership and Service-Learning United. It provides a 2006 legislative overview, advocacy do's and don'ts, as well as specific strategies for service-learning advocates.
"Inform and Influence" is a comprehensive, reader-friendly guide for service-learning advocates that was developed by the Education Commission of the States' National Center for Learning and Citizenship and the National Service-Learning Partnership at the Academy for Educational Development.
| How to Engage Policy Makers |
| Inform & Influence Advocacy Guide |
110th Congressional Committees
Every member of Congress is important and each should understand the value that Learn and Serve America (LSA) and service-learning bring to the community. Moreover, supporters should strive to inform and engage policymakers who are in Democratic and Republican leadership positions and who sit on important education and appropriations committees about the value of service-learning.
This document highlights the senators and representatives of the 110th Congress who sit on the Appropriations Committees (that fund LSA) and those who sit on the Education Committees (that review and renew the laws that authorize LSA) in the House and Senate.
Download the Excel spreadsheet with the list of Committee Members.
| 110th Congressional Committees |
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