The importance of advocacy and grassroots advocacy is a central component of VSBA and the government relations strategy of the association. It is key for board members to engage all stakeholders, including parents, business, community and higher education leaders, local organizations, and policy makers in the work of creating a successful public school system for their community. We must ensure that we have the resources, programs, and technology to successfully develop and educate the students of the 21<sup>st</sup> Century.

<strong>Disclaimer </strong>
<blockquote><em>The VSBA Executive Director and lobbyists are in daily contact discussing legislation and policies that drive the Association’s lobbying efforts, including the decision to send action alerts to the membership. The Association's lobbying efforts are based on positions contained in the VSBA Legislative Positions Handbook that is approved each year by the VSBA Delegate Assembly. Local school boards are not bound to this handbook and can adopt local positions on legislation and policy.</em></blockquote>