The July meeting is arguably the most important meeting of the year. Always, attendance at this meeting is tremendous. Participants from across the state come to make their case about a particular issue and to take part in an issue selection process that will affect countless elderly persons and their families, as well as those who provide services to them. It is no small task to rank issues as to which are most critical for the entire state. CO-AGE members take this responsibility and privilege quite seriously. The method of setting priorities gives each participant a voice in the advocacy process.

CO-AGE helps to avoid bias, favoring one group over another, by reaching out to diverse interests and helping them to participate and to articulate their issues to the other participants. In the first part of the meeting many issues are presented to the group by impassioned and well-informed advocates. The spokesperson's job is to try to convince the audience that his/her issue should be chosen as a priority for the coming year. Any other issues may be raised from the floor. Each person is held strictly to a 3 - 5 minute time limit for the formal presentation.

At the end of the formal presentations, participants discuss the issues and weigh them. Participants are encouraged to ask for further information or clarification about the issues and to discuss all the issues. Each group prioritizes the issues using majority vote. The top legislative priorities and the top budget priorities are selected with the number of priorities to be adopted being determined each year. After all the groups report, the points are summed to determine the slate of issues to advance in the next legislative session. The priorities receiving the most points are selected as the Coalition's priorities.

Legislative Advocacy Awards are usually presented at the July meeting. Presenting the awards at this time encourages legislators to observe the priority setting process and to support the legislative agenda for the coming year.

*In-Depth Training: October Meeting

The October meeting provides the most comprehensive educational experience for CO-AGE participants. The meeting offers in-depth training on each of the issues in the legislative package, and on general advocacy techniques and strategies. The Fact Sheets are disseminated to participants at this time, providing a one page presentation of key facts about each issue. The goal is to provide a good foundation to advocates so that their efforts reflect both passion and knowledge.

The particular issues in the legislative package for the upcoming session are used in interactive training sessions. Role-play is very successful in helping participants prepare for interactions with legislators regarding the substance of particular bills. Such role-play reduces the intimidation some participants feel in approaching legislators.

* Advocacy Strategies: January Meeting

Each January, the Coalition comes together for a final, intensive preparation for its work during the legislative session. Advocacy strategies for each issue are discussed and, when necessary, refined. The advocacy alert tree is finalized at the January meeting. During the legislative session. critical information is supplied to CO-AGE participants by activating the telephone tree. During the January meeting a review of the substance and the status of each issue is presented. Numerous individuals are available to answer substantive questions about any of the priority issues. The January meeting includes a hands-on advocacy experience. A hands on exercise serves as an excellent educational tool.

Intensive work by the Georgia Council on Aging, CO-AGE participants, the aging network, and local communities is required throughout the legislative session. Contacts with legislators may take the form of letters, phone calls, or personal visits. Perhaps the most impressive advocacy effort is demonstrated through the visible representation at the Capitol on a daily basis by a group deeply committed to the welfare of seniors. The advocates' presence at the Capitol is extremely important to the Coalition's success. Before coming to legislators, they have made a thorough assessment of the alternatives and possible effects on others. The elderly are not just out for themselves in the issues they select and they are patient with their agenda.

* Review Outcomes of Legislative Session: April Meeting

The April meetings is structured to assess the effectiveness of the Coalition's advocacy efforts during the legislative session. One form of assessment is to review the outcomes of each item in the legislative package. A review of what happened to each bill and budget item proves quite rewarding. The group shares its successes as well as its frustrations. A review of issues which did not pass is instructive and meaningful. It is important to recognize the hard work of the entire Coalition as well as some individuals' achievements.

One item of business is the invitation to submit potential issues for the next legislative session. Participants are given instructions as to how and when they must submit issues to the Council to be included in the Issues Summary Packet. They are asked to describe the problem, provide information as to why the issue should be a top priority for CO-AGE, and suggest ways in which the problem might be addressed through legislation. Issue Summary Packet becomes an important guide in preparing for and presenting issues at the July meeting.