Transcript How To Plan A Successful National Drug Court Month

National Drug Court Month – May 2012
Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion
How To Plan A Successful National Drug
Court Month
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-2012
National Drug Court Month – May 2012
Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion
National Drug Court Month Resource Center
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-12
•Largest annual celebration of Drug Courts in nation
•Hundreds of media stories
•Thousands of graduates
•Massive impact on local, state and national support for Drug Courts
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-2012
National Drug Court Month – May 2012
Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion
Presenters
Tonya Voelker - Associate Director of Legislative Affairs, NADCP
Connie Payne - Administrative Office of the Courts, KY
Tina Messer - Regional Specialist, Statewide Services Division of Drug Court, KY
Jennifer Grandal - Senior Court Operations Consultant Office of the State Courts
Administrator, FL
Michelle Jones - Adult Drug Court Coordinator, Osceola County Adult Drug Court, FL
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-2012
National Drug Court Month – May 2012
Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion
Engaging Your Members of Congress
• District Work Weeks: May 1-4 & May 21-30
• Perfect opportunity to meet with your Members or invite them to a graduation/event
• Start early, it takes lots of contact to make it happen
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-2012
National Drug Court Month – May 2012
Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion
Engaging Your Members of Congress
Step 1 – Call your Members Washington, DC office
http://capwiz.com/nadcp/home/
• Ask to speak with person responsible for Drug Court or Judicial Issues
• Tell them who you are and that you would like to invite your Member to speak
at a special National Drug Court Month event
• You will be referred to scheduler
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-2012
National Drug Court Month – May 2012
Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion
Engaging Your Members of Congress
Step 2 – Follow up
• Within a week of your call, fax or email your invitation (sample letter in Field Kit)
• A few days after sending your letter, make a follow up call to the Scheduler
• Acknowledge the amount of requests, thank them for their time.
• Mention other notable speakers attending, mention press will be there
• If Scheduler says that they cannot attend, ask if there is another available date for
future invite
• If the Scheduler confirms they can attend, go over key logistics
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-2012
National Drug Court Month – May 2012
Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion
Engaging Your Members of Congress
Step 3 – Reconfirm the visit
• A few days before event, contact Scheduler to confirm date and time.
Step 4- Day of Event
• Expect staff to accompany Member
• Consider appointing a greeter/escort
• Provide material on your court and the NADCP Capitol Hill Brief
• Ensure Media is aware the Member is present
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-2012
National Drug Court Month – May 2012
Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion
Engaging Your Members of Congress
Step 5 – Thank your Member for attending!
• Following the event send a personalized thank-you note to your Member.
• Include pictures of the event.
• It is critical that they understand how much you appreciate their visit.
• Now you have a relationship! Continue to keep them updated on your court and all of
the great work you do.
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-2012
National Drug Court Month – May 2012
Drug Courts: Where Accountability Meets Compassion
We are here for you!
Tonya Voelker
Associate Director of Legislative Affairs,
NADCP
[email protected]
571-384-1863
Chris Deutsch
Director of Communications,
NADCP
[email protected]
571-384-1857
Connie Payne
Administrative Office of the Courts, KY
[email protected]
502-573-2350 x2256
Jennifer Grandal
Office of the State Courts Administrator, FL
[email protected]
850.922.5101
Tina Messer
Regional Specialist, Statewide Services Division of Drug Court, KY
[email protected]
606-627-8236
T. Michelle Jones
Adult Drug Court Coordinator, FL
[email protected]
407-742-2431
www.NADCP.org/NDCM-2012