public policy advocacy for social change

7/31/2019 Public Policy Advocacy for Social Change

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Public Policy Advocacy for

Social ChangeNever doubt that a

small group of

thoughtful, committedcitizens can change the

world. Indeed, it is the

only thing that ever

has.Margaret Mead


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What is Advocacy?

Speaking, writing, or

acting in support of a

cause

Using a variety oforganized tactics to

achieve a public policy

goal

Demanding a change

to benefit the lives of

many


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Advocacy:

Asks something ofothers

Puts the demands ofpeople into systems

Deals with issues andconflicts

Involves people

Creates a space forpublic discussion

Finds solutions toproblems


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Focus for Advocacy

The Legislature

The Executive

Regulatory Agencies

The Judiciary


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Social Justice Advocacy

Challenging power Assuming risks

Telling stories

Involving those

affected Offering alternatives

Principles vs.compromise

Balancing the scales ofjustice and equity

Holding ourselves

accountable


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Vision, Mission, and Goals Vision - Your picture

of the ideal situation

Mission What yourorganization will do toget there

Goals Significantsteps toward the vision

Objectives The

means to accomplishthe goals

Action Steps Concrete steps to

achieve the objectives


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How Change Happens

Power concedes

nothing without a

demand. It never hasand it never will.

-Frederick Douglas


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Stages of Change

Denial of the need forchange

Resistance to change

Exploration of thechange

Managing the change

Collaboration

Compromise

Maintaining

momentum


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Change Agents

Understand context,barriers to change, andstages of change

Listen

Respond Advocate

Pursue change

Intervene at thesystems level

Team with others

Facilitate


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Strategic Planning Process

Set ground rules Ask all questions

Share experiences andopinions

Leave space for others

Be informal and relax

All opinions count

Keep it simple

Brainstorm Small group

Accept all ideas withoutdebate

Facilitate if necessary


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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


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What do we have tobuild on?

Leadership

Supporters

Information

Resources

Tools

Access

Messages

What do we need to

develop?


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How do we begin?

Big enough to matter

Small enough to win

How do we know itsworking?

Implemented plan?

Increased engagement?

Improvements?

Where do we go from

here?


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Information and Research

Knowledge will forevergovern ignorance

Know the most about yourissue

Find as many sources ofinformation as possible

Research arguments forand against

Know who supports and

who opposes Conduct surveys and

opinion polls

Use a survey to inform and

educate


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Why do people get involved?

They believe the issue isimportant to them andtheir family

They believe they havesomething to contribute

They believe that they willbe listened to and theircontributions respected

They believe that theirparticipation will make adifference


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How do people stay involved?

Multiple opportunities for

participation, from a small

contribution of time to

progressively largercontributions of time and

effort

The level of participation

varies depending on life

circumstances.


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Staying Involved

Constituent receive

sufficient advance notice.

Constituent participation is

facilitated:

Child care

Transportation

Dinner

Education & information


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Staying Involved

Constituents are

listened to; their ideas

are supported andrespected.

Constituents do not

experience retribution

as a result of their

participation.


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Staying Involved

Their participation has

an impact it makes

an appreciabledifference.

Their participation is

appreciated; that

appreciation isacknowledged.


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Opportunities to Participate in

Advocacy

Tell their stories verballyto an advocate & give

permission to share

Tell their stories verballywithin a small group(focus group)

Tell their stories verballyto policymakers (at publichearing, meeting withmonitors, at their school ordistrict forum, etc.)


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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 todisclose


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Reach out to encourage

other constituent

participation

Assist in collection of

documentation

Assist in analysis of

information

Assist in information

dissemination


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Serve as co-trainers

Serve as members of

task forces andcommittees

Facilitate public

forums

Serve as members of

monitoring teams


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Preparation for Participation

Offer trainings, developed

jointly with constituents &

advocates

Develop & disseminateinformative, useful

materials

Meet and talk with

constituents, sharinginformation, listening

carefully to their strengths,

needs & concerns


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Demonstrate constituent independence &

contribution.

Develop a plan to identify

a diverse, representative

group of constituents

During & after meetings,

specifically recognize the

value of the constituents

participation

Recognize individual

constituent strengths while

respecting differing

methods of coping &

adjustment


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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


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Provide constituent-identified

supports Provide direct staff

support, stipends, travelexpenses, & childcare

Identify these supports in

RFPs, grants, & policies Provide complete,

appropriate informationprior to meetings in atimely manner

Match veteran memberswith inexperienced ones tosupport new members &share ideas

P id i id ifi d


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Provide constituent-identified

supports

Recognize that some

constituents may

require more and

different kinds of

support than others

Encourage and

facilitate constituent-

to-constituent supportand networking


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Provide formal orientation &

information Provide orientations about

the issues, participants &

process.

Provide informational

support for constituents toparticipate as equal

partners on a level

playing field

Provide technicalassistance, leadership

mentoring, training, &

other leadership training


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Ensure diversity among

constituents Honor the racial,

ethnic, cultural, &socioeconomicdiversity of families.

Provide all materials inthe constituents

preferred language.

Recruit broadly fromthe community and thetarget population.

Bring in newconstituents.


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Ensure diversity

Adapt collaborative

models to diverse

cultures. Manage

changing distribution

of power &

responsibility.

Incorporate principles

of collaboration into

professional education.


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Ensure diversity

Ensure broadrepresentation among

groups based on the

communities in

question. Be particularly careful

to include members of

traditionally

underserved groups.

Avoid any appearance

of tokenism.

B d t h h t


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Be ready to hear what

constituents say.

Encourage and supportconstituents to find their

voice.

Ensure that member

perspectives are notconsidered a separate

component of the policy-

making process, but are

infused throughout.

Always consider an

individual constituents

story as valid.

R t th i tit t


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Respect the passion constituents

have for change. Support staff in

developing anunderstanding of the valueof constituent

participation.

Provide clear informationabout your goals and howconstituent input and

participation fits in.

Balance membershipbetween constituents andadvocates.

Consider shared leadership co-chairs


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Remember:

Empowering families toparticipate in advocacy

for their children, their

community, the larger

society, is its ownvictory, regardless of the

specific outcome of any

particular effort.

Democracy is not a

spectator sport!


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Outreach Strategies

Door-knocking

Welfare office, foodpantry, school

Organizational media

Community media

Mass media

Mediatinginstitutions

Public forums


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Mobilization

Moving fromspectators 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


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Mobilization Steps

Present information:

Your cause

The activity or event

Why its important

Outreach to constituents &allies

Phone, fax, e-mail, mail

One-on-one

Other organizations Orientation

Needed supports for

participation


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Action Alert Network

Develop & maintainAction 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


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Organizing vs. Mobilizing

Mobilizing Shorter-term

For particular action

Less time commitment

Organizing

Longer-term, for the

long haul

More involved indecision-making

Greater time

commitment


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Leadership

Inspire and help peoplework toward a goal

Can be shared

Differing roles:

Visionaries

Strategists

Historians

Resource mobilizers

Statespersons Communicators

Outside sparkplugs

Inside negotiators

Generalists


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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, takeinitiative

Offer help, information

Ask for help

Make things happen, but donthave to be the center of

attention


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Leaders Problem-Solve

State problem simply& clearly

Gather & organizerelevant info &

resources

List potential solutions

Evaluate each one

Select the best one Design a plan to use

Evaluate outcomes &readjust when needed


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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 myleadership skills?

How can I make spacefor others?


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Leadership Development

Individual advocacy

Peer advocacy

Public policy advocacy


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Advocacy Leadership Knowledge

Laws & regulations How institutions work

Key decision-makers

Formal & informaldecision-making

Facts; current status

Barriers & solutions

Qualities of effective

systems

Existing resources


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Advocacy Leadership Skills

Empathy

Listening

Written & oral

communication

Critical reading & thinking Collaboration

Consensus-building

Problem-solving

Conflict resolution

Strategic planning

Growing leadership

H P li i M d


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How Policies are Made

Legislature/laws:

Introduced

Referred to committee

Considered bycommittee

Hearing/publiccomment

Reported out withamendments/changes

Passed by one house Referred to next house

Passed by 2nd house

Goes to Governor


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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


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How Policies Are Made

Regulations: Draft regulations basedon law

Publish in Federal orState Register

Public comment/publichearing

Respond to comments

Make revisions

Publish in Register Go into effect

Implemented by agency

R hi P li k


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Reaching Policymakers

Call * Write * Visit

Brief and to the point

Stick to one subject

Identify yourself

How will you andothers be affected?

Be clear about what

you want

Be accurate & specific Be polite & positive

Offer your help

Follow up!


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Reaching the Grassroots

Call * Write * Visit Letter sent to a

legislator can be a letter

to the editor

Message on alegislators message

machine can be called

in to radio talk show

Testimony at hearingcan be presented at

church, PTA,

community group

meeting


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Phone Calls, E-Mail, Faxes

Ask to speak to thelegislator or aide

Note your legislative

district Give bill # & name

Explain why the issue isimportant to you

Jot down speaking pointsin advance

Write notes on yourconversation

Follow up!

L tt d P t d


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Letters and Postcards

Handwritten neatly ortyped

Use own words

Personalize

Be brief

Stick to key point(s)

Avoid form letters

Develop sample letterswith messages

Identify yourself

Use bill # & title

Be timely

Follow up!


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Effective Advocacy Writing

Be clear about whatyou want to say andhow it will be heard

Be careful about your

tone Understand that

communication isfiltered and may be

blocked Communication is

never value-free

P f Ad W i i


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Purpose of Advocacy Writing

Share facts Guide reader to a clear

understanding of issue

Persuade/convincereader to think the way

you do

Persuade/convince

reader to act the wayyou want them to

T f Ad W iti


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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

i f d i i


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Questions of Advocacy Writing

Who is the audience?

What is the issue &message?

When can you conveythe message?

Where can you conveythe message?

Why are you writing? How can you most

effectively conveyyour message?


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Advocacy Writing Tricks

Challenge with athought-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 havent seen


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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


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Testifying In advance

Monitor Federal andState Register

Mobilize authentic &

expert voices

Mobilize diverse

constituencies

Call to request time

Find out how muchtime and how many

copies to bring

Writing Testimony


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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 & giveexamples

Single space for them,double space for you

Make extra copies

Practice presentation &

rehearse questions!

Presenting Testimony


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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 theopportunity


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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


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Meeting with Elected Officials

Speak up

Be part of a group

Go with someone who has

experience Dont be afraid

Dont lie if you dontknow

Practice helps; role playbeforehand!

Be yourself

Preparing for Legislative Visits


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Decide who you will

visit.

Establish agenda &

goals. Plan your visit.

Determine group

composition. Listen well.

P i f L i l ti Vi it


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Be prepared, but dont

feel everyone has to be

an expert.

Dont get intimidatedor frustrated.

Be on time, and dont

stay too long.

Build a relationship.

Follow up!


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IRS Rules for Non-Profits

No supporting or opposingcandidates

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


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Regulatory Advocacy

Determine agency withjurisdiction

Identify responsibleparty within agency

Develop relationships

Know relevant lawgoverning regulations(AdministrativeProcedures Act)

Monitor media, State& Federal Registers

R l t Ad


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Regulatory Advocacy

Develop a plan Comments on draft Responsibilities

Potential opposition

Compromises Develop coalitions

Get broad endorsement

Use legislative

oversight Mobilize grassroots

G & M di Ad


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Grassroots & Media Advocacy

Communicate Own constituency

Own supporters

Potential Allies

General public

Use media Your media

Grassroots media

Community papers,radio, & public accessTV

Mass media

Coalition Advocacy


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Coalition Advocacy

Builds support

Combines power &resources

Reduces competition forfunding & support

More efficient Provides support &

expertise to smaller groups

Strength in numbers

Strength in diversity Broadened skills &

expertise


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Coalition Advocacy

Need clarity of goals andhow they fit with eachorganization

Clear decision-makingprocesses

Strong communicationsplans

Ensure all contribute, havea say, and get credit

Conflict resolutionmechanisms

Q ti f C liti


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Questions for Coalitions

Temporary orpermanent?

Agreed on issues?

Differences among

groups? Gifts of each?

Stuff to give up?

Stuff to gain?

Anticipated conflicts &compromises?

Strategies to address?

Leadership/


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eade s p/

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


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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


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Information

Document problems

and solutions Develop accurate

map of systems how they work, whos

important,relationships Formal

Informal

Know how othergroups have solved

problems

Building Support


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Building Support

Use media tocommunicate viewsand mobilize others

Develop support

networks Build well-organized,

committedconstituency capable of

mobilizing substantialpolitical power

Intervention


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Intervention

Multiple levels

Multiple tacticsNegotiations

Demonstrations

Filing complaints Testifying

Writing, calling,visiting

Continue directpressure

Persistence!

public policy advocacy for social change

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