1	Do You Believe in Gifted Kids? What You Can Do!
2	Take Action Join IAGC-forms are available on this site- see Membership. Be a part of the solution. Get accurate up-to-date information about what is happening legislatively for/to your child.
3	Legislation Keep track of the pending legislation regarding gifted education HB 881 SB 223 Check out http://ilga.gov to track the progress of this gifted legislation
4	Write a Letter Write a letter of thanks if your legislator is a sponsor of Hb 881 or SB 223. HB 881 is sponsored by Representative Kosel with 4 co-sponsors: Mike Smith(D),Mathias(R), Jefferson(D), and Pihos(R). SB 223 is sponsored by Senator Miguel del Valle.
5	Don’t Know the Name or Address? http://www.elections.state.il.us/dls/pages/SelectOfficialSearch.asp http://www.vote-smart.org/ http://www.elections.state.il.us/dls/pages/DLSAddresscrit.asp
6	What to say? Be specific! Let the legislators know why gifted legislation is important . All Illinois students have the right to learn in Illinois public school. Opportunity to address specific needs of students.
7	State Benefits of Gifted Education Keep it simple. Students have greater opportunities to learn Teachers learn how to match their instruction to students readiness. Teachers have materials to teach gifted students. Teacher have help in creating appropriate lessons. Pre-assessments Contracts Write from the heart.
8	Talk About the Loss: to students. to teachers . to parents. to the state of Illinois. If Illinois does not offer a competitive education.. What business will want to locate here? What will happen to Illinois economics? Who will be left in our schools?
9	"Attend a meeting of the..." Attend a meeting of the Advocacy Committee. Advocacy Meetings: July 16, Oct. 22, Jan. 21 Meetings are held at the Comfort Inn in Downers Grove Contact for additional information Cathy Greene –greeneca@unit5,org Nancy Hertzog- nhertzog@uiuc.edu kmxellig@comcast.net Attend the IAGC Convention, Feb. 5-7, 2006.
10	Make a Difference Attend and speak at one of the scheduled hearings. Hearing information is available through our Advocacy e-mail group Contact Terry Mohaupt to be added to the list tmohaupt@chicago.us.mensa.org
11	Next Step Go home and find 3 people to write letters or join the IAGC Advocacy Committee . It will take numbers to get this legislation approved. It will take many of us working together to get funding for gifted students Working together we can make this happen.
12	Pass the Torch Tell others to get involved. Parents Teachers Students IF we all work together, we can make a change!
13	Be Visible Buy a Believe in Gifted Kids button. Let others know that you believe in gifted kids!
14	Remember at All Times It’s about the children.