MERC

Nov. 1 , 2005, Institutional Representatives Meeting Agenda

Advocacy 101

Tom Vansaghi, Associate Vice Chancellor,
College and Community Relations
Metropolitan Community Colleges

Every year, Missouri’s higher education community has a lot at stake in Jefferson City. Hundreds of bills are introduced during each session of the Missouri General Assembly with dozens impacting colleges, universities and statewide higher education programs like MOREnet. Budget cuts have taken their toll over recent years and continue to impact institutions and programs. Partisanship and political games are fairly routine among members of the state legislature and between institutions fighting over limited resources. The legislative process can be daunting and confusing to those unfamiliar with it. “Advocacy 101” will untangle legislative complexities and help participants better understand and learn how to operate in this political environment.

During the session, participants will gain an understanding of the legislative process and the best methods to work within it. A framework for understanding leadership styles and behaviors of elected officials will be introduced. Specific attention will be given to how and when to best communicate with elected officials, organizing advocacy (lobby) days, grassroots efforts and general legislative relationship building.

Tom Vansaghi

Tom Vansaghi is the Associate Vice Chancellor of College and Community Relations for the Metropolitan Community Colleges of Kansas City. He leads the government relations, fund-raising, public relations and marketing endeavors for the five-campus system. Vansaghi has extensive governmental advocacy experience and has worked under two Missouri governors. He recently undertook a major branding initiative to unite the five-campus system under one identity.

Over the years he’s served on several non-profit boards including: Citizens for Missouri’s Children; Missouri Special Olympics; The National Conference for Community and Justice; the American Heart Association; and Missouri YMCA Youth in Government.

Vansaghi holds a bachelors degree from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville and masters from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in political science and public affairs.