Heartland Visioning Government Advocacy Process

Step 1. Foundation Team determines needed governmental action/position to achieve Heartland Visioning Key Benchmark(s).

Step 2. Foundation Team conducts a vote internally to determine support for a request for governmental advocacy. (Be sure vote totals are recorded in the Foundation Team minutes.)

Step 3. Foundation Team completes Heartland Visioning Government Advocacy Checklist available on Heartland Visioning Website.

Step 4. Submit Advocacy Checklist to Government Advocacy Alliance Team.

Step 5. Government Advocacy Alliance Team reviews the Advocacy Checklist and requests clarification if necessary.

Step 6. Optional - Government Advocacy Alliance Team requests meeting with representative from the Foundation Team requesting advocacy.

Step 7.a. Government Advocacy Alliance Team deliberates and votes to recommend Heartland Visioning advocacy to the Steering Committee. (Be sure vote totals and reasons for Alliance Team recommendation are recorded in the Government Advocacy Alliance Team minutes.)

OR

Step 7.b. Government Advocacy Alliance Team deliberates and votes not to recommend advocacy to the Heartland Visioning Steering Committee. (Be sure vote totals and reasons for Alliance Team recommendation are recorded in the Government Advocacy Alliance Team minutes.)  Foundation Team requesting advocacy is informed and allowed to provide additional information or reasoning for second deliberation by the Government Advocacy Alliance Team.

Step 7.b.i. If Government Advocacy Alliance Team’s second vote is affirmative, proceed to Step 8.

Step 7.b.ii. If Government Advocacy Alliance Team does not change its vote, a written appeal can be made to the Steering Committee.  Proceed to Step 8.b.

Step 8.a. Recommendation is forwarded to the Heartland Visioning Steering Committee for deliberation and final decision.  (Be sure vote totals and reasons for Steering Committee recommendation are recorded in Steering Committee minutes.)

OR

Step 8.b. Foundation Team recommending advocacy but not approved by the Government Advocacy Alliance Team has submitted written appeal of denial for further consideration by Steering Committee.

Step 8.b.i. Steering Committee agrees with findings from the Government Advocacy Alliance Team, recommendation is denied.  Decision is final.

Step 8.b.ii. Steering Committee does not agree with findings from the Government Advocacy Alliance Team.  Proceed to Step 9.a.

Step 9.a. Recommendation is approved by the Steering Committee with at least a 60% vote of those committee members present.  Government Advocacy Alliance Team with the Foundation Team requesting advocacy determines strategy and takes appropriate action.

OR

Step 9.b. Recommendation is not approved by the Steering Committee.  Decision is final.