Advocacy at the State Level
North American InterDistrict Meeting
June, 2017
Presented by Denise Quarles, District 15
Zonta District 15
• Michigan and part of Ontario, Canada
• District projects
A. Human Trafficking
B. Equal Pay Day
State of Michigan
• State Governor
-18 State Departments – Most headed by Gubernatorial
appointees, some headed by elected officials (Attorney General,
Secretary of State)
• State Legislature – House and Senate – full time elected officials
Planning Advocacy Actions
• Establish clear understanding of the issue to be addressed
• Obtain agreement on desired outcome and time frame to
accomplish
• Consider collaboration with like minded organization(s) to
enhance the potential of achieving the outcome and/or obtaining
the attention needed
• Determine appropriate target audience required to realize the
desired outcome
• Evaluate actions for future follow up as needed
Human Trafficking
• District 15 Seeking to prevent human trafficking and help
trafficking victims
• Non member participation in Michigan Human Trafficking Task
Force meetings
• 2012 agreement with the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force
-Posters developed jointly to encourage individuals to report
suspected trafficking and victims to seek help
• Highway rest stops – Michigan Department of Transportation and
Michigan Social Services Offices
Human Trafficking Legislation
• Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force testimony to State
Legislature about posters developed through collaboration with
Zonta District 15
• PA 62 of 2016 requires posting of information at highway rest
stops, welcome centers, bus & rail stations, airports & places
where trafficked persons may be present
• Intent of law – increase public awareness and reporting of
trafficking
Equal Pay Day
• District 15 joining coalition annually seeking legislation ensuring equal
pay for women
• April, 2017 Coalition meeting to educate participants about pay disparity
and advocacy efforts
• Participants – members of District 15, numerous organizations, former
and current State legislators
• Participants meeting with their specific State Representatives at the
Capitol
• Media Coverage
• Organizers planning next year’s event
Zonta District 15 Equal Pay Day Participants