1. Founding a New Chapter

Step 1: Identify Leadership

• Form a core team of at least 5 students or more passionate about See Us Now’s mission.

Step 2: Secure Faculty or Community Support

• Identify a teacher, counselor, or community leader to serve as your chapter advisor.

Step 3: Establish Chapter Goals

• Define your focus areas (e.g., safe housing, human trafficking awareness, End Child Violence etc.).
• Set measurable objectives, such as hosting awareness events or lobbying for legislation.

Step 4: Register Your Chapter

• Submit a chapter application to See Us Now headquarters.
• Obtain any necessary permissions from your school or community organization.

2. Becoming a Student Advocate

Understanding Advocacy Basics:

• Advocacy is about raising awareness and influencing change on issues you care about.
• Focus on See Us Now’s mission: promoting safe housing and services for foster children.

Skills Development:

• Research Skills:
  • Understand the foster care system, human trafficking, and relevant laws.
  • Gather data and stories that highlight the need for change.
• Communication Skills:
  • Practice writing persuasive speeches and creating pitch decks with local, state specific information as well as highlighting statistics or impactful stories that illustrate the need being addressed.
  • Develop effective presentation and public speaking skills.  Work as a team putting together presenters with various skills and take turns. 
• Networking Skills:
  • Build relationships with other advocacy groups, businesses and community leaders.

Advocacy Activities:

• Join our Blue Out during National Missing and Trafficked Foster Children Awareness Week.  Organize awareness campaigns, such as social media challenges or community events.
• Sign our resolution and invite others to go on our website to sign the resolution or contact their representatives.  

3. Meeting with Senators and Lawmakers

Step 1: Prepare for the Meeting

• Research your lawmaker’s stance on foster care and trafficking issues.  Look at the bills they have supported, past votes regarding youth issues and what committees and caucuses in which they serve.
• Develop a one-page document summarizing:
  • The problem you’re addressing.
  • Proposed solutions or legislation.  Make sure you include the Bill number for the House and Senate.  They are different numbers.
  • Why this matters (include data and personal stories).

Step 2: Schedule the Meeting

• Contact your lawmaker’s office to request a meeting (email and follow-up with a call).
• Be flexible with scheduling and offer multiple options.

Step 3: Conduct the Meeting

• Introduce yourself and your group’s mission.
• Share your one-page summary and discuss the issue.
• Be concise, polite, and focused.
• End with a clear ask, such as supporting a bill or proposing new legislation.

Step 4: Follow Up

• Send a thank-you email summarizing key points from the meeting.
• Provide any additional information requested by the lawmaker’s office.
• Stay in touch to track progress and continue building the relationship.

4. Introducing and Advocating for a Bill

Step 1: Identify the Issue

• Choose a specific problem related to foster care or trafficking that requires legislative action.

Step 2: Support a Bill

• Collaborate with legal experts or See Us Now’s headquarters to draft the bill.
• Include clear objectives, funding sources, and implementation plans.

Step 3: Find a Legislative Sponsor

• Meet with lawmakers to secure a sponsor for your bill.  
• Ensure they understand the bill’s importance and align with your mission.

Step 4: Build Public Support

• Host community forums to educate the public.
• Join the See Us Now social media campaigns.

Step 5: Testify at Hearings

• Prepare a 3-5 minute testimony explaining why the bill should pass.
• Include data, personal stories, and potential impacts.

Step 6: Monitor the Bill’s Progress

• Stay informed about committee hearings and floor votes.
• Rally supporters to contact their representatives before key votes.

5. Sustaining Your Chapter

• Host informational meetings and invite guest speakers.
• Use social media to promote your chapter and events.

• Plan regular activities such as advocacy workshops, service projects, and social events.  Work with local foster organizations.

• Recognize members’ contributions with awards or certificates.
• Share your achievements with the broader community.
• Apply for See Us Now Scholarships

6. Resources and Support

• Training:
  • Attend See Us Now’s webinars and workshops on advocacy and leadership.
• Materials:
  • Access toolkits, templates, and sample letters from See Us Now’s website.
• Mentorship:
  • Connect with experienced advocates for guidance. Come with us on a trip to Washington DC.