Have you often wanted to learn more about California’s legislative process, but you find the State Capitol and its activities rather intimidating? Does the idea of becoming involved in grass-roots advocacy appeal to you, but you wish you had better tools to educate yourself about library-related legislation? Join CLA’s long-standing lobbyists, Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, for a new 90-minute online, highly-interactive presentation that provides you with helpful tips and tricks to assist you in becoming a more savvy, effective, and informed library advocate. CLA’s lobbyists will also discuss the 2021-22 state budget package, which features an unprecedented $500 million for public library programs, and they will take your questions. 

This session is intended to serve those who are “new” to state politics, as well as more seasoned library enthusiasts.

Goals:

Upon completing the session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the key steps in how legislation moves through the California State Legislature
• Identify at least three steps you can take in supporting pending legislation
• Cite at least two key legislative priorities the California Library Association is pursuing

Session Facilitators: 

Mike Dillon

Mike Dillon has represented the California Library Association as its lobbyist for more than 40 years. He was the recipient of the California Library Association “President’s Award” in 2010 for his legislative contributions to CLA and for demonstrating “significant leadership in support of California’s libraries.” Mike is a lobbyist with KP Public Affairs in Sacramento, and, for 43 years, he was the president and owner of Michael F. Dillon and Associates, a contract lobbying firm. Mike graduated from the California State University, Chico with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and served as President of the Student Body. He also received a CORO Fellowship in Public Affairs in the San Francisco program. 

Christina DiCaro

Christina DiCaro has served as a lobbyist for the California Library Association for 27 years. She is a lobbyist with KP Public Affairs in Sacramento, and previously served as a lobbyist at her father’s firm, Michael F. Dillon and Associates, for 23 years. Christina received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Southern California. She is the past president and a current member of the Executive Board of the Institute of Governmental Advocates, an association representing the interests of the lobbying community. 

About the Ursula Meyer Advocacy Fund Training Series

This program, the second of four monthly online sessions organized and to be offered initially through the Ursula Meyer Advocacy Fund Training Series from September through December 2021, honors the memory of Ursula Meyer, 1977-78 CLA President, California Library Hall of Fame inductee, longtime director of the Stockton-San Joaquin Public Library, and fierce advocate for library services and intellectual freedom. The Ursula Meyer Fund was established to provide for the training of librarians in all stages of their careers, and library supporters, in political advocacy and political action, in honor of Ursula’s belief that librarians need effective political skills to advocate for library support at all levels of government.