Lobos for Legislation

2008 Legislator Thank You Reception

The photo below is from the Legislator Thank You Reception held at the El Dorado Hotel on Monday, January 28, 2008 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. 49 Legislators attended along with Lt. Governor Diane Denish, many Cabinet Secretaries, UNM Alumni and UNM Administrators. You can see more here.

"I want to thank everyone who worked so hard on UNM priorities during the regular session of the New Mexico Legislature. In all of my years of dealing with the legislative process, I found UNM's effort to be the most organized and effective. When the dust finally cleared last week, UNM had emerged with approximately $5 million in new recurring dollars in the budget bill, as well as $7.6 million in non-recurring funds. Including HSC and the branches, we also got nearly $73 million in capital outlay, which the Governor is now reviewing."

UNM President David Schmidly

About Lobos for Legislation

Lobos for Legislation is a grassroots legislative advocacy network of the University of New Mexico alums concerned with the future of higher education at UNM.

This Alumni Association sponsored program works in harmony with the UNM Office of Advancement. It serves as a pipeline of information to alumni and friends of the university on legislative matters.

Alumni and friends, known as Lobo Links, serve as advocates and carry UNM’s message to the elected officials of the state of New Mexico.

The primary goal of this program is to promote and enhance UNM through grassroots networking.

The role of each advocate is to build and maintain personal relationships with local legislators to convey UNM’s and higher education’s position on legislative issues.

Lobos for Legislation is comprised of a core committee of devoted alumni and friends and also an alumni group of over 400 strong around the state of New Mexico.

It is a proven fact that legislators are receptive to opinions expressed by their friends, neighbors and constituents. The Lobos for Legislation program takes advantage of this and hosts legislative receptions in alumni homes around the state. The personal contact is imperative and takes place on a year-round basis.

An annual Legislative Appreciation Reception as well as other social, cultural, and sporting events provide opportunities for Lobo Link Advocates to interact with legislators.

A Lobo Link also selectively recruits and mobilizes advocates on the recommendation of alumni, deans, faculty, and regents of the university.

Why Me?

The primary purpose of The University of New Mexico Lobos for Legislation is to promote the welfare of UNM by fostering goodwill among public officials and the general public.

Your networking and professional contacts, coupled with your respect and leadership skills enables you to be an effective and powerful advocate for UNM and higher education.

As an alumnus or friend of UNM, your voice is especially important in speaking on behalf of the University.

No group within the University community — not faculty, administrators, or students — can be as effective as alumni and friends in reaching public officials and promoting the needs of UNM.

When to Act

The University of New Mexico Lobos for Legislation maintains an active schedule of events, meetings, and receptions with legislators throughout the year.

A timeline is provided to you in order to plan your activities.

You will be prompted by the Lobos for Legislation program at the University of New Mexico by phone or e-mail as action is needed.

The University of New Mexico Alumni Association
1 University of New Mexico
MSC 01 - 1160
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505.277.5808 | 1.800.ALUM.UNM
505.277.6844 fax | alumni@unm.edu