Government Relations—Advocacy

Principles for Effective & Sustainable Advocacy

1. Lead with Trust and Credibility

Be the go-to, trusted voice for policymakers.

• Provide clear, honest, and solution-oriented guidance
• Build long-term, bipartisan relationships
• Be known as reliable and responsive

2. Center Advocacy on Member Impact

Advocacy must deliver real value to school leaders.

• Advance policies that strengthen leaders’ ability to serve students
• Reflect the real experiences and needs of members
• Ensure members see and feel the results of advocacy efforts

3. Focus on Outcomes, Not Activity

Measure success by impact on students, schools, and systems.

• Prioritize policies that improve funding, outcomes, and sustainability
• Use data and clear metrics to demonstrate results
• Connect legislative wins to real-world change

4. Align and Amplify the Education Voice

Maximize influence through coordination and unity.

• Lead alignment across education organizations
• Set and drive shared legislative priorities
• Reduce fragmentation to strengthen collective impact

5. Advocate Proactively and Strategically

Shape policy—don’t just respond to it.

• Anticipate emerging issues and lead with solutions
• Advance long-term, sustainable policy frameworks
• Do the “heavy lifting” in developing viable proposals

6. Build Influence Through Expertise

Be indispensable in the policymaking process.

• Serve as the trusted expert legislators rely on
• Translate complex education issues into actionable policy
• Maintain deep knowledge of funding, systems, and implementation

7. Elevate Public Education and the Profession

Advocacy includes shaping the narrative.

• Strengthen public understanding of the value of education leadership
• Improve both policy outcomes and public perception
• Position WASA as a state and national leader

8. Ensure Representation and Legitimacy

Advocacy must reflect the full field.

• Represent diverse voices and leadership perspectives
• Ensure policy positions are grounded in statewide realities
• Build legitimacy through inclusion and authenticity

WASA maintains active involvement with state associations and agencies, including the Governor's Office, OSPI, State Board of Education, Department of Labor and Industries, Department of Social and Human Services, Office of Financial Management, Health Care Authority, Public Employees Benefits Board, WSSDA, AWSP, WEA, WSPTA, WASBO, WAMOA, WAPT, WSNA, PSE, and WSRTA. 

For more information, please contact Marissa Rathbone, Assistant Executive Director, Government Relations.