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Public Policy Advocacy for Social Change
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
What is Advocacy?• Speaking, writing, or
acting in support of a cause
• Using a variety of organized tactics to achieve a public policy goal
• Demanding a change to benefit the lives of many
Advocacy:• Asks something of
others• Puts the demands of
people into systems• Deals with issues and
conflicts• Involves people• Creates a space for
public discussion• Finds solutions to
problems
Focus for Advocacy
• The Legislature
• The Executive
• Regulatory Agencies
• The Judiciary
Social Justice Advocacy• Challenging power• Assuming risks• Telling stories• Involving those
affected• Offering alternatives• Principles vs.
compromise• Balancing the scales of
justice and equity• Holding ourselves
accountable
Vision, Mission, and Goals• Vision - Your picture
of the ideal situation• Mission – What your
organization will do to get there
• Goals – Significant steps toward the vision
• Objectives – The means to accomplish the goals
• Action Steps – Concrete steps to achieve the objectives
How Change Happens
“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has and it never will.”
-Frederick Douglas
Stages of Change• Denial of the need for
change• Resistance to change• Exploration of the
change• Managing the change• Collaboration• Compromise• Maintaining
momentum
Change Agents• Understand context,
barriers to change, and stages of change
• Listen• Respond• Advocate• Pursue change• Intervene at the
systems level• Team with others• Facilitate
Strategic Planning Process• Set ground rules• Ask all questions• Share experiences and
opinions• Leave space for others• Be informal and relax• All opinions count• Keep it simple• Brainstorm• Small group• Accept all ideas without
debate• Facilitate if necessary
Strategic Planning Questions• What do you want?
– Process goals– Content goals
• Who can deliver it?– Formal authority– Influence
• What message(s) do they need to hear?– Public interest– Self-interest
Strategic Planning Questions
• Who do they need to hear it from?– Expert voices– Authentic voices
• How do we get them to hear it?– Persuasion– Pressure
Strategic Planning Questions• What do we have to
build on?– Leadership– Supporters– Information– Resources– Tools– Access– Messages
• What do we need to develop?
Strategic Planning Questions
• How do we begin?– Big enough to matter– Small enough to win
• How do we know it’s working?– Implemented plan?– Increased engagement?– Improvements?
• Where do we go from here?
Information and Research• Knowledge will forever
govern ignorance• Know the most about your
issue• Find as many sources of
information as possible• Research arguments for and
against• Know who supports and who
opposes• Conduct surveys and opinion
polls• Use a survey to inform and
educate
Why do people get involved?• They believe the issue is
important to them and their family
• They believe they have something to contribute
• They believe that they will be listened to and their contributions respected
• They believe that their participation will make a difference
How do people stay involved?
• Multiple opportunities for participation, from a small contribution of time to progressively larger contributions of time and effort
• The level of participation varies depending on life circumstances.
Staying Involved
• Constituent receive sufficient advance notice.
• Constituent participation is facilitated:– Child care– Transportation– Dinner– Education & information
Staying Involved
• Constituents are listened to; their ideas are supported and respected.
• Constituents do not experience retribution as a result of their participation.
Staying Involved
• Their participation has an impact – it makes an appreciable difference.
• Their participation is appreciated; that appreciation is acknowledged.
Opportunities to Participate in Advocacy
• Tell their stories verbally to an advocate & give permission to share
• Tell their stories verbally within a small group (focus group)
• Tell their stories verbally to policymakers (at public hearing, meeting with monitors, at their school or district forum, etc.)
Participation Opportunities
• Share their stories in writing through:– Letter to the state– Letter to the editor– Letter to the monitors– Letter to an advocate
with permission to disclose
Participation Opportunities
• Reach out to encourage other constituent participation
• Assist in collection of documentation
• Assist in analysis of information
• Assist in information dissemination
Participation Opportunities
• Serve as co-trainers• Serve as members of
task forces and committees
• Facilitate public forums
• Serve as members of monitoring teams
Preparation for Participation• Offer trainings, developed
jointly with constituents & advocates
• Develop & disseminate informative, useful materials
• Meet and talk with constituents, sharing information, listening carefully to their strengths, needs & concerns
Demonstrate constituent independence & contribution.
• Develop a plan to identify a diverse, representative group of constituents
• During & after meetings, specifically recognize the value of the constituent’s participation
• Recognize individual constituent strengths while respecting differing methods of coping & adjustment
Provide constituent-identified supports to assist participation.
• Provide convenient meeting times & locations.
• Compensate constituents for time, expertise & expenses.
• Clearly identify someone to be the primary contact for reimbursement & other issues; timely reimbursement & contacts are essential
Provide constituent-identified supports
• Provide direct staff support, stipends, travel expenses, & childcare
• Identify these supports in RFPs, grants, & policies
• Provide complete, appropriate information prior to meetings in a timely manner
• Match veteran members with inexperienced ones to support new members & share ideas
Provide constituent-identified supports
• Recognize that some constituents may require more and different kinds of support than others
• Encourage and facilitate constituent-to-constituent support and networking
Provide formal orientation & information
• Provide orientations about the issues, participants & process.
• Provide informational support for constituents to participate as equal partners on a “level playing field”
• Provide technical assistance, leadership mentoring, training, & other leadership training
Ensure diversity among constituents
• Honor the racial, ethnic, cultural, & socioeconomic diversity of families.
• Provide all materials in the constituent’s preferred language.
• Recruit broadly from the community and the target population.
• Bring in new constituents.
Ensure diversity• Adapt collaborative
models to diverse cultures. Manage changing distribution of power & responsibility.
• Incorporate principles of collaboration into professional education.
Ensure diversity• Ensure broad
representation among groups based on the communities in question.
• Be particularly careful to include members of traditionally underserved groups.
• Avoid any appearance of tokenism.
Be ready to hear what constituents say.
• Encourage and support constituents to find their voice.
• Ensure that member perspectives are not considered a separate component of the policy-making process, but are infused throughout.
• Always consider an individual constituent’s story as valid.
Respect the passion constituents have for change.
• Support staff in developing an understanding of the value of constituent participation.
• Provide clear information about your goals and how constituent input and participation fits in.
• Balance membership between constituents and advocates.
• Consider shared leadership – co-chairs
Remember:• Empowering families to
participate in advocacy for their children, their community, the larger society, is its own victory, regardless of the specific outcome of any particular effort.
• Democracy is not a spectator sport!
Outreach Strategies
• Door-knocking• Welfare office, food
pantry, school• Organizational media• Community media• Mass media• “Mediating
institutions”• Public forums
Mobilization• Moving from
spectators to participants
• Turning opinions into actions– Making a phone call– Sending a fax or e-mail– Writing a letter– Visiting a policymaker– Demonstration, march,
sit-in
Mobilization Steps
• Present information:– Your cause– The activity or event– Why it’s important
• Outreach to constituents & allies– Phone, fax, e-mail, mail– One-on-one– Other organizations
• Orientation• Needed supports for
participation
Action Alert Network• Develop & maintain
Action Alert list• Monitor key policy
developments• Summarize key points,
pros and cons, actions• Mail, e-mail, fax, call
to alert network• Maintain copies of
action responses
Organizing vs. Mobilizing• Mobilizing
– Shorter-term– For particular action– Less time commitment
• Organizing– Longer-term, for the
long haul– More involved in
decision-making– Greater time
commitment
Leadership• Inspire and help people
work toward a goal• Can be shared• Differing roles:
– Visionaries– Strategists– Historians– Resource mobilizers– Statespersons– Communicators– Outside sparkplugs– Inside negotiators– Generalists
Key Leadership Qualities• Effective communicators• Good listeners• Develop team spirit &
cohesiveness• Understanding & aware• Recognize accomplishments• Constructive criticism• Encourage & motivate• Facilitate resolution of disputes• Delegate & build others• Accept responsibility, take
initiative• Offer help, information• Ask for help• Make things happen, but don’t
have to be the center of attention
Leaders Problem-Solve
• State problem simply & clearly
• Gather & organize relevant info & resources
• List potential solutions• Evaluate each one• Select the best one• Design a plan to use• Evaluate outcomes &
readjust when needed
Leaders Know Themselves• Who am I?• What am I doing here• What are my:
– Goals, purposes– Expectations– Motivations?
• What strengths & challenges do I bring?
• How can I best use my leadership skills?
• How can I make space for others?
Leadership Development• Individual advocacy
• Peer advocacy
• Public policy advocacy
Advocacy Leadership Knowledge• Laws & regulations• How institutions work• Key decision-makers• Formal & informal
decision-making• Facts; current status• Barriers & solutions• Qualities of effective
systems• Existing resources
Advocacy Leadership Skills• Empathy• Listening• Written & oral
communication• Critical reading &
thinking• Collaboration• Consensus-building• Problem-solving• Conflict resolution• Strategic planning• Growing leadership
How Policies are Made• Legislature/laws:
– Introduced– Referred to committee– Considered by
committee– Hearing/public
comment– Reported out with
amendments/changes– Passed by one house– Referred to next house– Passed by 2nd house– Goes to Governor
How Policies Are Made• Executive/Governor:
– Signs into law as is– Conditionally veto
(return for specific changes)
– Veto (overridden by supermajority of both houses)
– Pocket veto within last 45 days of session
How Policies Are Made• Regulations:
– Draft regulations based on law
– Publish in Federal or State Register
– Public comment/public hearing
– Respond to comments– Make revisions– Publish in Register– Go into effect– Implemented by
agency
Reaching Policymakers• Call * Write * Visit
– Brief and to the point– Stick to one subject– Identify yourself– How will you and
others be affected?– Be clear about what
you want– Be accurate & specific– Be polite & positive– Offer your help– Follow up!
Reaching the Grassroots• Call * Write * Visit
– Letter sent to a legislator can be a letter to the editor
– Message on a legislator’s message machine can be called in to radio talk show
– Testimony at hearing can be presented at church, PTA, community group meeting
Phone Calls, E-Mail, Faxes• Ask to speak to the legislator
or aide• Note your legislative district• Give bill # & name• Explain why the issue is
important to you• Jot down speaking points in
advance• Write notes on your
conversation• Follow up!
Letters and Postcards• Handwritten neatly or typed• Use own words• Personalize• Be brief• Stick to key point(s)• Avoid form letters• Develop sample letters with
messages• Identify yourself• Use bill # & title• Be timely• Follow up!
Effective Advocacy Writing• Be clear about what
you want to say and how it will be heard
• Be careful about your tone
• Understand that communication is filtered and may be blocked
• Communication is never value-free
Purpose of Advocacy Writing
• Share facts• Guide reader to a clear
understanding of issue• Persuade/convince
reader to think the way you do
• Persuade/convince reader to act the way you want them to
Types of Advocacy Writing
• Op-Ed piece• Letter to editor• Press advisory/release• Letter to policymaker• Letter of complaint• Public testimony• Investigative report• Letters to inform &
mobilize others• Activity notices
Questions of Advocacy Writing
• Who is the audience?• What is the issue &
message?• When can you convey
the message?• Where can you convey
the message?• Why are you writing?• How can you most
effectively convey your message?
Advocacy Writing “Tricks”• Challenge with a
thought-provoking question
• Open with quotation• Offer a sip of your
conclusion• List all main points• Dramatic or eye-
opening statement• Use an angle your
readers haven’t seen
Advocacy Writing Tips• Keep it short & simple• Watch punctuation, spelling
& organization Know intended recipients
• Have a clear goal• Understand the context• Catch them in the beginning• Summarize/introduce,
explain, summarize/conclude• Communication is a process• Have someone review your
work
Testifying – In advance• Monitor Federal and
State Register• Mobilize authentic &
expert voices• Mobilize diverse
constituencies• Call to request time• Find out how much
time and how many copies to bring
Writing Testimony• Be brief & concise• Written is longer than oral• Have a purpose• Identify yourself• State position, reasoning, and
request• Personalize• Use your own words• Be substantive & give
examples• Single space for them, double
space for you• Make extra copies• Practice presentation &
rehearse questions!
Presenting Testimony• Dress properly• Arrive early• Be prepared to shorten
testimony• Relax• Speak slowly & clearly• Avoid monotone• Look up, make eye
contact• No disparaging remarks• Thank them for the
opportunity
Speaking in Public• Prepare content and
delivery• Know your audience
and tailor to them• Emphasize key points• Establish eye contact• Use visual aids• Be brief• Leave your opponent
with dignity intact
Meeting with Elected Officials• Speak up• Be part of a group• Go with someone who has
experience• Don’t be afraid• Don’t lie if you don’t
know• Practice helps; role play
beforehand!• Be yourself
Preparing for Legislative Visits
• Decide who you will visit.
• Establish agenda & goals.
• Plan your visit.• Determine group
composition.• Listen well.
Preparing for Legislative Visits
• Be prepared, but don’t feel everyone has to be an expert.
• Don’t get intimidated or frustrated.
• Be on time, and don’t stay too long.
• Build a relationship.• Follow up!
IRS Rules for Non-Profits• No supporting or opposing
candidates– Can do candidate surveys &
disseminate results
• Limits on lobbying– No appreciable amount– IRS election: 20%– Funder restrictions
• Lobbying involves specific legislation
• Regulatory advocacy is not lobbying
Regulatory Advocacy
• Determine agency with jurisdiction
• Identify responsible party within agency
• Develop relationships• Know relevant law
governing regulations (Administrative Procedures Act)
• Monitor media, State & Federal Registers
Regulatory Advocacy• Develop a plan
– Comments on draft– Responsibilities– Potential opposition– Compromises
• Develop coalitions• Get broad
endorsement• Use legislative
oversight• Mobilize grassroots
Grassroots & Media Advocacy• Communicate
– Own constituency– Own supporters– Potential Allies– General public
• Use media– Your media– Grassroots media– Community papers,
radio, & public access TV
– Mass media
Coalition Advocacy• Builds support• Combines power &
resources• Reduces competition for
funding & support• More efficient• Provides support &
expertise to smaller groups
• Strength in numbers• Strength in diversity• Broadened skills &
expertise
Coalition Advocacy• Need clarity of goals and
how they fit with each organization
• Clear decision-making processes
• Strong communications plans
• Ensure all contribute, have a say, and get credit
• Conflict resolution mechanisms
Questions for Coalitions• Temporary or
permanent?• Agreed on issues?• Differences among
groups?• Gifts of each?• Stuff to give up?• Stuff to gain?• Anticipated conflicts
& compromises?• Strategies to address?
Leadership/Maintaining a Strong Organization
• Intense dedication to improving outcomes for substantial numbers
• High commitment to maintenance activities:– Define responsibilities– Good communication– Clear decision-making– Sufficient funding
Effective Strategies Shape Action• Ongoing:
– Planning– Implementation– Evaluation– Revision of plan
• Persistent focus on key systems & central issues
• Understand specific changes needed
• Bring about changes• Monitor implementation to
make sure improvements take place
Information• Document problems
and solutions• Develop accurate
“map” of systems – how they work, who’s important, relationships– Formal– Informal
• Know how other groups have solved problems
Building Support• Use media to
communicate views and mobilize others
• Develop support networks
• Build well-organized, committed constituency capable of mobilizing substantial political power
Intervention• Multiple levels• Multiple tactics
– Negotiations– Demonstrations– Filing complaints– Testifying– Writing, calling,
visiting• Continue direct
pressure• Persistence!