Advocacy Resources

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]

Printable version

After you've scheduled a meeting with your representative, use these talking points to guide your conversation. Practice your delivery with others from your affiliate.

INTRO

Begin by introducing yourself and giving a brief description of your affiliate or your relationship to KTB. (If applicable, state that you live in that official’s district.)

WHY WE’RE HERE

We are here today on behalf of Keep XX Beautiful, as an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful. We would love to tell you more about the impact our work has on the community you represent. 

IMPACT 

This is where you tell your story as an affiliate, working hand-in-hand with community members, so your representatives can get a better understanding of your impact and help support your efforts. Give a brief history of your organization and explanation of the work you do. 

Highlight one to two successful programs you hosted in the past year, detailing the number of volunteers, the impact made, community partners involved, and more (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.). 

Beyond cleanup efforts, we encourage you to tell your story in a way that outlines the value your organization brings to the community. How did these programs impact your community and make it a safer and better place to live? What is the economic impact of your organization on your community? Do you have information or data on the volunteer value or any stories from local businesses that have benefited from a cleaner, more sustainable community? Don’t forget that your decision-makers are there to represent the concerns and quality of life of their community members - and your organization wants to do the same! Find common ground if possible. 

Pull in information from your organization’s year-end review if it has one. Pass along digital brochures, flyers, etc. that show your affiliate in action. 

Remind your representative that you can be a technical resource for them for any questions they may have about illegal dumping, litter, etc. Utilize your Chamber’s ‘Day at the Capitol’ (or similar event) to pass along information about your affiliate as well. 

INVITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE 

One way for your representative to really get an idea of your value is by witnessing your work in action. Extend an invitation for a site visit, recycling center tour, or to an upcoming event so they can learn more about your affiliate first-hand.

Invite them to “like” your social media to keep up with your organization’s activities. 

Ask if the representative has any questions. 

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 virtual 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. Here’s a handy template to create your Year In Review graphic. You can refer to this when you speak your impact. 

KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL TALKING POINTS 

We also invite you to share information about Keep Texas Beautiful, as one of the largest environmental networks in the state. This will give your representative a big-picture view of the work we are doing across Texas. 

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. 

KTB is working on a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to leverage existing affiliate partnerships in three diverse Texas communities in the Gulf of Mexico watershed to create benchmark programs for litter cleanup and prevention. KTB is also working on a grant from the Garver Black Hilyard Family Foundation to help create consistent data collection for litter cleanup activities and best practices, including the creation of a statewide litter database.

GOVERNOR’S COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

This year, the Governor’s Community Achievement Awards program will provide ten (10) winning communities a share of two million dollars 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 one million pounds of waste and recyclables.

POLICY SUPPORT

Over the past year, KTB held regional stakeholder meetings and a statewide meeting to discuss litter reduction. Businesses, local government officials, and constituents weighed in on solid waste management issues affecting their communities. The resulting feedback indicated a need for increased recycling infrastructure, education and resources to alleviate litter. As a result, the KTB board decided to endorse the Texans for Clean Water plan, a free-market, no-tax solution to plastic waste and litter.

Texans for Clean Water is advocating for a statewide rebate program to incentivize the recycling of plastic bags and bottles all while funding litter cleanup and enforcement efforts. You can follow the progress of the plan, Senate Bill 1276 (SB1276), at the link here.

NEXT STEPS

Say that you are leaving a folder behind or emailing 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!

Printable version

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.

Year in Review Infographic Template