In This Story
The 11 members of the Federal Relations Committee of the Virginia School Board Association (VSBA) came to Washington, D.C., earlier this month on an important mission: To convince members of Congress to fund programs across the commonwealth that address mental health issues and critical staff shortages, among other needs.
In order to be more effective lobbyists for the day on Capitol Hill, they turned to George Mason University professor David K. Rehr for a primer on the inner workings of the current Congress and what to expect as they marched the hallowed halls of the Capitol. Rehr, who is director of the Schar School’s Center for Business Civic Engagement, presented the state’s school board representatives with a compact, 90-minute master class on how to advocate effectively before legislators.
Rehr’s illustrated presentation drew on his 25 years as a Washington lobbyist. He provided biographical information about representatives with influence over education legislation and funding and described how to communicate with them and their staffers to generate positive outcomes.
He also explained how to address controversial social “wedge issues” that are at the forefront of many school board agendas—“wokeness” and critical race theory, among them—and he described how to create an immediate bond during the meeting with the representative, recalling his own experience of finding common ground with a member over a fondness for the soft drink Tab.
“I found Dr. Rehr’s presentation today to be relevant and very useful for each of the representatives from our congressional districts here in Virginia to take back to their local school board and become more offensive and less defensive,” said James E. Coleman, chairman of the VSBA’s Federal Relations Committee. “He also told us how to advocate and where to advocate. This was important for us as we really need federal dollars to continue to find the path to helping us deal with the exploding mental health issues in particular.”
“Sharing advocacy ‘insider tips’ learned from research and experience can make the VSBA more effective in communicating with the Virginia congressional delegation,” Rehr said. “It can further enhance their effectiveness for current and future students across the commonwealth.
"It was an honor they looked to the Schar School for expertise."