Advocacy Resources
KTB Day at the State Capitol
KTB Day is an opportunity for affiliates to educate the new legislature on the value of KTB programs and the positive impact that our affiliates have in their local communities. Due to the pandemic and restrictions at the Capitol, KTB Day will not be held in person in 2021. This year, we encourage you to reach out to your local representatives and schedule time to meet with them individually or virtually.
Connect with your legislators
Step 1: Find your legislator
Visit wrm.capitol.texas.gov to find your state representative and senator.
Step 2: Make an appointment
Call your legislator's office. Ask to speak to the scheduler and let them know you would like 15 to 30 minutes to share information about your affiliate or to discuss an issue. If your legislator is not available, you may be asked to schedule an appointment with a staff member.
If you'd like to contact your legislator via email, use this script to help schedule your appointment.
Step 3: Prepare for your visit
Research information about your legislator including personal facts, hometown, where they went to school, and committee assignments. This can be helpful to create a personal connection with your legislator.
Prepare talking points, a personal, first-hand anecdote about your affiliate's positive impact on the community, and your ask or request for your legislator. Don't use acronyms - your legislator or staffer may not understand them. Role play until you are confident with your delivery.
Gather materials that you will give to your legislator. If meeting virtually, consider emailing these materials to a staffer.
Step 4: Meeting Day
Be early for your meeting. Share the positive impacts your affiliate has on the community. If your legislator asks a question that you don't know the answer to, let them know you are unsure. If you are able, you can follow-up after the meeting with an answer or materials that speak to their question.
End the meeting with your request and leave materials about your affiliate.
Follow up your meeting with a thank you note. Be sure to include a brief summary of your talking points and reiterate your request. Send a thank you email to staffers and any follow-up materials requested.
Click on the graphic for a printable PDF.
Resources to connect with your legislator
Email Script
Email Script
Dear Representative/Senator XX,
My name is _________ and I am the [insert title] for Keep XX Beautiful. Our mission is to [insert mission statement], and we do this by working hand-in-hand with your constituents in the [insert community name] community. Last year, we [insert an accomplishment.]
As an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful, one of the largest community beautification networks in the state, I am reaching out to tell you more about our work and our economic impact.
We would greatly appreciate your staff’s time to briefly discuss how we are working to improve our community through programs and initiatives relating to community improvement projects, youth engagement, litter prevention, recycling, and more. We are working hard to make [insert community] a clean, safe, and beautiful place to live, work and play.
Please let me know if you are available to discuss our community efforts. If you have any additional questions please let me know.
Thank you,
[Insert name]
Talking Points
Talking Points
After you've scheduled a meeting with your representative, use these talking points to guide your conversation. Practice your delivery with others rom your affiliate.
INTRO
Begin with group members introducing themselves and giving a brief description of your affiliate, or relationship to KTB. (When applicable, state that you live in that official’s district.)
WHY WE’RE HERE
We are here today on behalf of Keep Texas Beautiful and our local affiliates to tell you more about our work and our economic impact.
OUR NETWORK
KTB is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with 300 local affiliates to keep our roadways and public spaces clean and beautiful.
PARTNERSHIPS
KTB receives $400,000 a year through a contract with TXDOT to partner on litter prevention programs and services, including the Don’t mess with Texas campaign. Our partnership began in 1985 and this funding is vital to KTB. We also partner with Texas Parks and Wildlife to clean up river access sites.
GOVERNOR’S COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
This year, the Governor’s Community Achievement Awards program will provide ten (10) winning communities a share of $2 million in landscaping awards. This program is in partnership with TxDOT. (If your community has won a GCAA award, please describe.)
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Despite a challenging year, KTB affiliates engaged nearly 38,000 volunteers whose volunteer time was worth almost $1,030,000; these volunteers collected over 1 million pounds of waste and recyclables.
EXAMPLES
Share your story: Give some examples of the type of work that your affiliate is doing. (i.e., local cleanups, adopt-a-spots, restoration projects, cleanup after natural disasters, community park restoration, main street projects, waterway cleanups, recycling drop-off centers, youth scholarships, summer camps, afterschool programs., etc.)
INVITATION
Optional: Extend an invitation for a site visit to learn more about your affiliate first-hand.
Ask if the representative has any questions.
NEXT STEPS
Say that you are leaving a folder behind with more information about KTB. Make sure to get a business card or contact info for the person you met with and thank them for their time!
Meeting Materials
Meeting Materials
If you are meeting with your legislator in person, prepare a packet of materials about your affiliate to leave at the meeting. If your meeting is virutual or over the phone, plan to email materials to your legislator. Remember that they may only review these items for a few moments so make them stand out!
Consider including an infographic about your affiliates work over the past year or photos from a recent project.
Legislative Activity - 87th Legislative Session, 2021
- Search legislation by bill number or keywords
- How to follow a bill
- Create your own customized free account to compile bill lists and receive alerts
- View live broadcasts of Senate and House meetings
- View committee membership and meeting schedules
Resources
- City-related bills filed, updated regularly
- This resource gives some good information on TML’s involvement in the legislative process and shows just how many bills filed and passed affect city’s decision making
Works in a bipartisan manner to protect and enhance the Texas business climate and make the state’s economy strong
- TAB’s state priorities
- TAB’s scorecard from the 87th Legislative Session - how legislators voted on specific bills that impact small and large employers across Texas
Storytelling 101
An affiliate-only benefit, log into your Affiliate Portal to access past recordings on telling your community story.
- Metrics & Measurement (51:36)
- Digital Outreach, Social Media & Email (48:01)
- External Communications (26:24)
- Sponsors and Donors - (44:56)
- Brand Positioning - (47:03)
Who represents me?
Use this tool to find your representatives
On February 21, 2019 Keep Texas Beautiful visited our elected officials at the Texas Capitol and had the opportunity to speak with Governor Abbott. Affiliate coordinators, board members and volunteers met with district officials and staff throughout the day.
Featured Content
Community Engagement in the Legislative ProcessLegislative Session Round-Up for Affiliates
