Auburn University Advocacy Membership Program Participation Process And Benefits

The provided source material does not contain specific information about "voting freebies" in Auburn, Alabama during 2016. Instead, the documents focus on college football, athletics, and Auburn University's advocacy program. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the Auburn University advocacy membership program as detailed in the available source materials.

Auburn University Advocacy Program Overview

The Auburn University advocacy program represents an organized effort by the university to engage faculty, staff, and community members in supporting institutional interests at the state level. As outlined in the available source materials, this program functions through a membership structure designed to create a network of advocates who can help communicate the university's needs and achievements to elected officials.

The program is coordinated through Auburn University's administrative governance system, with specific individuals mentioned as playing key roles in representing the university's interests. These include Dr. Gogue, Sheri Fulford, and CJ Henesy, who are described as doing "a great job" of representing the specific interests of Auburn.

The advocacy program emphasizes the importance of having a broad base of support across the state, noting that "what we do depends on numbers, it depends on you all being our connections in all the corners of the state." This approach recognizes that the effectiveness of Auburn's advocacy efforts is directly related to the size and geographic distribution of its membership base.

Membership Structure and Fees

According to the source materials, the Auburn University advocacy program offers multiple levels of membership with corresponding benefits. The program features a tiered fee structure that includes:

• Basic membership: $12 per year
• Mid-level membership: $60 per year
• Premium membership: $120 per year

Each membership tier includes different benefits, with the higher-priced memberships offering more comprehensive coverage. The source materials indicate that detailed information about these benefits is available in brochures distributed during advocacy program meetings.

The program acknowledges that "we don't have a lot of listeners sometimes on the other end" when advocating for university interests, suggesting that increased membership could help amplify their message with elected officials. The $12 annual fee is described as "very extensive" in relation to the benefits provided, positioning it as an accessible entry point for potential advocates.

Joining the Advocacy Program

The source materials outline several methods for joining the Auburn University advocacy program:

1. Brochure Registration: Members can fill out forms included in membership brochures and mail them to the program coordinators.

2. Online Registration: The program also offers an online registration option, though specific details about the process are not provided in the source materials.

The program emphasizes that joining is not just about the personal benefits members might receive, but about becoming part of "a community of advocates" that supports Auburn University's interests at the state level. The coordinators express particular interest in having faculty and staff members join, noting that when they "talk to legislators or talking to people across the state they know that we're backed by the very important faculty and staff members here at Auburn University and other universities across the state."

Benefits of Membership

While the source materials do not provide a comprehensive list of membership benefits, they do indicate that each tier includes specific coverage options. The program coordinators suggest that the benefits extend beyond personal advantages to include:

• Strengthened advocacy position: Members help demonstrate broad-based support for Auburn University when communicating with elected officials
• Community connection: Membership provides an opportunity to connect with others who support the university's mission
• Representation: The program relies on members to "remind" elected officials about Auburn's importance to the state

The source materials suggest that membership benefits are detailed in brochures available to interested individuals, but specific details about these benefits are not included in the provided documents.

Advocacy Strategy and Impact

The Auburn University advocacy program employs a multi-faceted approach to representing institutional interests:

1. Institutional Lobbying: The program coordinates with "institutional lobbies" that do "a marvelous job of representing the specific interests of Auburn." These lobbyists focus on detailed policy issues specific to the university.

2. Statewide Perspective: The program's representative in Montgomery is described as bringing "the larger picture into some focus with those elected officials," complementing the more specific lobbying efforts.

3. Grassroots Support: The program emphasizes the importance of having members across the state who can help communicate Auburn's importance to their local representatives.

The program acknowledges the importance of having supportive representation from Auburn's home county, noting that "the delegation from Lee County is supportive. And they do stand up and defend" the university's interests. They also recognize the value of having allies in other areas, mentioning "thank goodness that we have some leadership from here and from Tuscaloosa County where we have Chairman Ways and Means Committee, Bill Poole."

Role of Faculty and Staff

The advocacy program places particular emphasis on the role of faculty and staff members in its efforts. The coordinators specifically address this group, noting that they need their help in several ways:

1. Membership: Faculty and staff are encouraged to join the advocacy program to demonstrate institutional support
2. Advocacy: Members are expected to help "remind" elected officials about Auburn's importance
3. Networking: Faculty and staff members can help connect the program with people across the state

The program suggests that having faculty and staff as members lends credibility to their advocacy efforts, as elected officials recognize the importance of higher education institutions to the state's economy and quality of life.

Program Leadership and Organization

The Auburn University advocacy program appears to be led by a chair (Larry Teeter) and a representative (Gordon Stone) who coordinate the efforts. The program also includes various committees that address specific aspects of university governance and advocacy.

One example mentioned in the source materials is the "Ad Hoc Committee on Clustering in Athletics," chaired by Daniel Svyantek. This committee appears to focus on organizational aspects of the university's athletic programs, suggesting that the advocacy program addresses a wide range of institutional issues beyond just legislative matters.

The program's governance structure includes regular meetings where updates are provided and new initiatives are discussed. These meetings appear to include presentations from various committees and updates on the university's advocacy efforts.

Challenges and Opportunities

The source materials identify several challenges facing the Auburn University advocacy program:

1. Limited Reach: The program acknowledges that "we don't have a lot of listeners sometimes on the other end," suggesting difficulty in gaining attention for their message
2. Resource Constraints: While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on membership fees and benefits suggests that the program operates with limited resources
3. Competition for Attention: The program must compete with other priorities for the attention of elected officials

At the same time, the program identifies several opportunities:

1. Supportive Leadership: The program notes the value of having supportive committee chairs and other leaders in key positions
2. Broad Base of Support: The program believes that a larger membership base will increase their effectiveness
3. Institutional Excellence: Auburn's achievements and importance to the state provide a strong foundation for advocacy efforts

Conclusion

The provided source materials do not contain information about voting freebies in Auburn, Alabama during 2016. Instead, they detail Auburn University's advocacy program, which engages faculty, staff, and community members in supporting institutional interests at the state level.

The program operates through a membership structure with tiered fees ($12, $60, and $120 annually) and offers various benefits to members. Participants can join through brochure forms or online registration. The program emphasizes that membership is not just about personal benefits but about contributing to a collective advocacy effort that represents Auburn's interests to elected officials.

The advocacy strategy combines institutional lobbying with a broader statewide perspective and grassroots support. Faculty and staff members play a particularly important role in these efforts, lending credibility and helping connect the program with people across Alabama.

While facing challenges in gaining attention for their message, the program benefits from supportive leadership and the recognition of Auburn's importance to the state. The program coordinators continue to work toward expanding their membership base and strengthening their advocacy efforts on behalf of the university.

Sources

1. Heisman Watch - Yahoo Sports
2. Vanderbilt-Auburn Postgame Quotes
3. Gary Gilmore Coaching Profile
4. Auburn University Senate Transcript