The basic point of departure for realizing political goals is a commitment to becoming actively in­volved in the political process. The effectiveness of TCCTA’s political efforts at the state level depend finally upon the establishment and maintenance of relationships among faculty members, the local community and technical college, and their respective legislators. While it is true that members of the Texas Legislature do indeed listen to the views of TCCTA and its representatives, the larger truth is that those same legislators will listen even more attentively when constituents from back home call or visit.

Observers of Texas politics agree that the most important contacts between representatives and con­stituents take place, not while the Legislature is meeting in Austin, but during the interim period when members are residing and working in their local districts. It is then that legislators have the oppor­tunity to study difficult policy issues and the time to discuss those issues with interested groups and individuals. And it is then that faculty members and local faculty orga­ni­za­tions can establish credible working relationships with their local legislators.

The structure of our two-year college system in Texas offers a natural opportunity for grass­roots political activity in every legislative district in the state. Every two-year college has, in its fac­ul­ty, a group of well-educated, articulate, civic-minded individuals who, if provided with sufficient infor­mation and motivation, can contribute substantially to the resolution of issues concerning both local campuses and community and technical colleges across the state. In the final analysis, par­ti­ci­pa­tion is the most effective influence on the political process. Successful political influence can only fol­low from active political involvement.