STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE TEXAS SILVER-HAIRED LEGISLATURE 2002 - 2006

Goal A – To motivate older citizens to realize that legislative involvement is a primary responsibility of effective citizenship.

A.1 (objective): Members of the TSHL will cooperate with at least three other organizations in promoting the idea that each individual must be involved in legislative and governmental affairs in order to be a good citizen.

A.1 (strategies): TSHL members will offer expertise and support to organizations who have legislative involvement objectives and related publications. League of Women Voters, AARP, and Retired Teachers are examples.

A.2 (objective): The TSHL will develop and distribute publications and provide data to the media concerning the importance of individual participation in legislative and governmental affairs.

A.2 (strategies): The TSHL will develop publications, state-wide news releases, and distribute appropriate information through its newsletter, website, establishment of a speaker’s bureau, and through participation of TSHL members in the activities of local organizations.

Responsible: Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Executive Director, office staff, and appropriate committees as designated by bylaws and Speaker.
(See Activity A-21 through A-24 and budget, Goal A)

Goal B – To help Texans know that citizenship is dependent upon information and knowledge about issues facing the community, state, and nation.

B.1 (objective): Members of the TSHL will cooperate with at least three other organizations in providing their constituents with non-partisan information and education about legislative activities and governmental issues and processes.
B.1 (strategies): TSHL members will offer expertise and support to local and state organizations that provide non-partisan information and education about issues and governmental operations.

B.2 (objective): Each TSHL District will annually sponsor one or more forums to provide information to constituents about legislation and governmental procedures.
B.2 (strategies): The TSHL will help district members with the forums by providing grant money for promotion, speakers, and materials. Members will learn about procedures for organizing, promoting, and administrating forums at the orientation sessions. “How to” manuals and models will be developed and distributed to the members.

B.3 (objective): TSHL members will be available and/or provide for speakers who will provide information and knowledge to local groups and organizations.
B.3 (strategies): The TSHL will develop a state-wide speakers bureau and provide suggested outlines for presentations. Suggestions for effective speaking procedures will be provided to members at the orientation sessions.

B.4 (objective): The TSHL will develop and distribute “media alert” information on critical issues.
B.4 (strategies): “Media alert” materials will be distributed to all media, made available through the TSHL website, distributed to all members, and other appropriate addresses.

Responsible: Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Executive Director, office staff, and appropriate committees as designated by the bylaws and Speaker.
(See Activity B-11 through B-41 and budget, Goal B)

Goal C -To develop an organizational structure which will provide for an effective non-partisan forum of persons over the age of 60 who are elected by and representative of their peers. This body will research, discuss, and debate issues concerning not only their own welfare but that of others.

C.1 (objective): The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature will be made up of individuals who are over the age of 60 and elected by their peers according to service areas established for the Area Agencies on Aging.
C.1 (strategies): Democratic election and qualification procedures will be developed by the TSHL Elections and Credentials Committee with participation by the Area Agency on Aging and state and local Election Commissions which will allow for maximum participation by registered voters over the age of 60.

C.2 (objective): Provide an adequate source of funding that will allow the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature to carry out its goals.
C.2 (strategies): Although it was established by the Texas Legislature, there are no public funds appropriated to support the activities of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature. Since the members are volunteers, the burden of expenses reduces the efficiency of the members and places limits on those who would like to participate. An endowment will be established under the direction of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Foundation that will provide a corpus that will be adequate to sustain the basic functions of the organization. Operations are sustained through grants, various fund-raising activities, foundation investments, and personal funds from the members.

C.3 (objective): Establishment of a central office and staff which will serve the membership through communications, coordination, publications, information resources, media relations, organizational identity and visibility, public relations, research, record-keeping, and general management services.
C.3 (strategies): The central office will be established, appropriately staffed and furnished. Sustained financial support will come from the proceeds of investment and interest from money in the corpus.

Responsible: Committees designated by the bylaws and special committees appointed by the Speaker and Executive Committee. (See Activity C-11 through C-31 and budget, Goal C)

Goal D - To provide leadership and education for the members of the Silver-Haired Legislature in order that the members and the organization will serve as a resource to the Texas Legislature, the public and private sectors, boards and commissions, and provide services that will complement other senior groups and organizations.

D.1 (objective): TSHL Legislators will be able to participate in the Texas Silver-Haired Legislative process and activities in order that they will be able to serve as a liaison between their constituents, local and district organizations, governmental agencies and the State Legislature.
D.1 (strategies): The TSHL will provide education opportunities, consulting services and continuing information for members by holding its annual orientation and general sessions.
D.1.1 District and local orientation sessions will be held for prospective TSHL Legislators and candidates in order that they will be able to make judgments about candidacy and about campaign strategies. Prospective candidates will be given complete information about roles and responsibilities of membership in the TSHL.

D.2 (objective): TSHL members will access the needs of their constituents and organizations in order to identify issues and construct resolutions.
D.2 (strategies): The TSHL will provide educational activities at its orientation and general sessions, consulting services, mentoring for new legislators, and required materials to help members identify issues and construct resolutions. Specialists from universities and other agencies will assist with research, data collection, and educational activities. The TSHL office and staff will assist with research, data collection, materials distribution, and record keeping.

Responsible: District senior legislators, Operations Committee, Elections and Credentials Committee, Training Committee, Speaker, TSHL Executive Director and office staff. (See Activities D-11 through D-21 and budget, Goal D)

Goal E - To provide for a legislative body that will enable the Silver-Haired Legislature to introduce, study, discuss, pass, and prioritize resolutions dealing with major concerns of our State.

E.1 (objective): The TSHL shall hold a legislative session in even-numbered years in order to consider resolutions for proposed legislation and determination of priorities.
E.1 (strategies): The TSHL will hold its legislative session in the House of Representatives and in various meeting rooms in the Texas State Capitol in the month of September of even-numbered years.

TSHL Legislators prepare and present resolutions based upon the needs and expressed interests of their constituents. Resolutions are referred to committees which establish a calendar for hearings. After presentation of the resolution by the author/authors, public hearings are conducted. The committee then combines and refines resolutions that are then presented to the full body of the TSHL in legislative session.

Resolutions may be amended and, if accepted by the general assembly, they are presented to the Governor and to the Texas Legislature where sponsors are obtained and relevant information is provided.

Finally, since the TSHL serves as a “resource” to other elected bodies and various organizations, the resolutions and rationale supporting them are printed, distributed and presented through personal contact, distribution channels and legislative hearings.

Responsible: Various Silver-Haired Legislature Committees according to the bylaws including the Legislative Action Committee, Operations Committee, Speaker, Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Executive Director and office staff. (See Activity E-11 and budget, Goal E)

Goal F – To provide educational support for the resolutions that have been accepted by the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature.

F.1 (objective): Ninety percent of the prioritized resolutions of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature will be sponsored by Texas Legislators in the next regular session.
F.1 (strategies): The TSHL will establish an action committee to monitor legislation, provide information and support to resolution sponsors and legislative committees, provide information to other organizations having similar legislative objectives, and keep members informed.

F.2 (objective): The TSHL will provide public information about the adopted resolutions and allow for visibility for the association and its activities.
F.2 (strategies): Printed materials will be developed and distributed specifically outlining the accepted resolutions and supporting rationale.

The TEXAS SILVER DIRECTORY will stress approved resolutions and associated rationale. In addition, it will provide additional helpful information about the legislative process and issues related to aging.

The TSHL NEWSLETTER will provide pertinent information about the resolutions and association activities.

Lastly, the TSHL website will carry important information about aging issues and actions.

News releases, periodic “Legislative Updates” and speaking engagements by TSHL members and Speaker’s Bureau participants will provide public information about the adopted resolutions.

Responsible: Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Executive Director and staff, Speaker and appropriate committees (see Activity F-11 through F-41 and budget, Goal F)