Advocacy Program

I.   General Description

This position generally works on statewide issues. It is a great way to learn more about the Arizona legislative process, help monitor bills moving through the system and encourage members to respond using the AZ Request to Speak (RTS) system or by contacting their legislators. 

There are several ways to contribute, depending on your interest. At the beginning of each legislature season the Advocacy team polls members to determine which issues are most important to them and to solicit volunteers to work in these areas. Each issue is one that the League has an existing policy position for, which you can rely upon in your analysis. Past issues have included – Voting rights, criminal justice, education, women’s rights and climate.

Once the issues are chosen for the year, teams are formed to monitor bills moving through the Legislature. A shared spreadsheet on Google Drive is used to track important points and timelines for the bill and a checklist is prepared to cover the key issues. Again, training is provided. 

There are also opportunities to work more actively on specific issues, such as the recent passage of Prop 139.

II.   Time Frame

The legislative session runs from mid-January through the end of April. The work generally takes several hours a week. Teams with a lot of activity often meet via Zoom once a week, but it is not necessary to attend every meeting. 

The most important part of the effort is to alert and prepare people for committee hearings on bills. Before the hearing, calls to action are made to our League members to use the RTS system. Volunteers also prepare written testimony for our lobbyists to give at hearings.

III.   Experience/Training Availability

Absolutely no prior knowledge is required. There is plenty of help and training. The AZ Legislature maintains a great set of website tools that makes it very easy to follow bill progress from anywhere in the state using your computer. 

IV.   In Person/Remote

This can be done from anywhere in the state. 

V.   League Membership Requirements

Participants must be members of the League.

All activities are run by volunteers in our communities. We welcome your participation. If you would like to volunteer, send an email to lwvnaz@gmail.com.