Alliance state allies from conservative-led states gathered in Salt Lake City last month to think together about how the recent national and state elections will impact their advocacy in the short term and to do some longer-term future forecasting and narrative change work.
The Alliance for Early Success’ Right for Kids community of practice comprises states that are led by a Republican trifecta or a Republican legislature/Democrat Governor. The community meets virtually throughout the year to explore policy and messaging challenges and opportunities. This was the community’s first-ever dedicated in-person convening, and it was well-timed, coming just two weeks after the national and state 2024 elections.
About 80 advocates from 26 states met to learn from each other and connect, strengthening relationships in the Right for Kids network and accelerating their advocacy. The group came in with mixed emotions, hopes, and fears, as this word cloud reflects:
Aside from post-election planning, topics at the convening included:
- A recap and discussions of this past year’s Right for Kids virtual convening topics, including (de)polarization, changing state legislatures, and changing dynamics around working with coalitions and grassroots partners.
- Breakout sessions on topics chosen by the community, including legislative strategy post-election, local level advocacy strategies + family leadership in advocacy, centering equity in conservative political environments, child care policy + messaging, and paid leave policy + messaging.
- Future visioning work and narrative framing in policy advocacy
- A panel discussion on Faith, Culture and Advocacy in Utah and Beyond
Themes that came out of the convening included leading with pragmatism, learning from policy successes in other conservative-led states, exploring the increasing segmentation of the Republican parties in the states (including a new opening among some conservative leaders around supporting young families), balancing between playing offense and playing defense legislatively, bringing in grassroots voices that resonate with more conservative legislators, and immigration as an increasing focus area.
Attendees seemed to appreciate being together so soon after the consequential 2024 elections, finding it useful to connect with other advocates who understand the dynamics – both challenges and opportunities – of working in “red” states. We talked about holding and normalizing paradox and complexity – “tired” was a common adjective used to describe how folks were feeling, and at the same time we expressed gratitude for new advocates coming into the field with energy and passion; attendees were carrying fear and worry for many of the children and families we advocate on behalf of, while also expressing hope for change opportunities on the horizon.
The word cloud on the afternoon of Day 2 of the convening seemed to reflect some benefit from being together.
