LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN FOR PE CREDIT
Your help needed now!!

GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN BEGINS . . . As you are aware, the SC Band Directors Association has embarked upon a campaign to gain passage of a bill providing PE credit for participation in marching band.  This legislation has now passed in 6 states and similar efforts are underway across the country.

During coming months, we will be meeting with key governmental officials and legislators to argue the case for students now facing block scheduling and time challenges to their participation in band activities.  However, the success of this effort is dependent on you and the grassroots support that generated in communities across South Carolina.

HOW DO WE WIN? . . . Read our Position Statement containing the research, thoughts, and input from directors across SC.  Due to expected opposition from PE directors and others, our key to success is an outpouring of support from directors, students, and parents.  Legislators must hear from people at home where they live and work – their constituents.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO WIN? . . .Legislators need to hear from all of the band community either by phone call, fax, email, letter, or personal conversation.  You can access lists at House Education Committee or http://www.leginfo.state.sc.us/housecommlst.html#edu and at Senate Education Committee or http://www.leginfo.state.sc.us/senatecommlst.html#edu.  These contacts must not only come from directors, but more importantly from students and parents! 

Steps to success AS A DIRECTOR are:

1.  Review the material and craft letter or email to every legislator in your area or those that you might know.  Follow up with a personal conversation in a requested meeting telephone call.  Don’t be shy, they want to hear from you!  Make sure to provide them with a copy of the attached position statement.

2.  Tell them that a bill will be circulated during the beginning of the session, and ask them to sponsor and support it.

3.  Involve your students and parents in making contacts.  The Position Statement was prepared to assist you in developing communications.  We need as many contacts as possible!

4.  Let us know the results of contacts.  Call or email Tom Finigan at Tfinigan@lowcountry.com or call at 843-538-8903 or Connie Grantham at granthamc@fort-mill.k12.sc.us or call at 803-548-8347.

CAN WE BE SUCCESSFUL? . . . You bet we can, but only if we have a successful grassroots program.  “All politics is local”, as the famous Sen. Everette Dirksen once said, and your local involvement will carry our position.  You are the key to success.  Let’s start today!!