How to stir things up

How to stir things up

for good

Advocacy

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

- Margaret Meade

Advocacy

Charity vs. Justice

Charity and justice are two distinct components within social ministry that answer the call to new life in the world: two ends of a spectrum of living out one’s faith. Both encompass compassionate caring for the oppressed, the poor and the vulnerable. Both define our call to live out the Gospel of God’s love and reconciliation. Yet they differ in scope, in method, in goals.

Charity and justice are two distinct components within social ministry that answer the call to new life in the world: two ends of a spectrum of living out one’s faith. Both encompass compassionate caring for the oppressed, the poor and the vulnerable. Both define our call to live out the Gospel of God’s love and reconciliation. Yet they differ in scope, in method, in goals. Complementary, yes. The same, no.

Charity responds to an immediate need.

It provides direct service such as food, clothing or shelter. Often a private and individual act of caring, it is directed toward the effects of social injustice.

Charity responds to an immediate need.

It provides direct service such as food, clothing or shelter. Often a private and individual act of caring, it is directed toward the effects of social injustice.

- Serving in a soup kitchen

Charity responds to an immediate need.

It provides direct service such as food, clothing or shelter. Often a private and individual act of caring, it is directed toward the effects of social injustice.

- Serving in a soup kitchen

- Donating clothes to the Salvation Army

Charity responds to an immediate need.

It provides direct service such as food, clothing or shelter. Often a private and individual act of caring, it is directed toward the effects of social injustice.

- Serving in a soup kitchen

- Donating clothes to the Salvation Army

- Volunteering in the brothels in Cambodia

Justice addresses long-term conditions, promoting social change in institutions, policies and systems. Justice is public, political, and oriented to collective action for change. It directs us toward the causes of social injustice.

Justice addresses long-term conditions, promoting social change in institutions, policies and systems. Justice is public, political, and oriented to collective action for change. It directs us toward the causes of social injustice.

- Asking your Member of Congress to vote a particular way on a bill

Justice addresses long-term conditions, promoting social change in institutions, policies and systems. Justice is public, political, and oriented to collective action for change. It directs us toward the causes of social injustice.

- Asking your Member of Congress to vote a particular way on a bill

- Holding a community meeting to protest a local business’ environment practices

Justice addresses long-term conditions, promoting social change in institutions, policies and systems. Justice is public, political, and oriented to collective action for change. It directs us toward the causes of social injustice.

- Asking your Member of Congress to vote a particular way on a bill

- Holding a community meeting to protest a local business’ environment practices

- Holding a voter registration drive

To Advocate is tostir things up

To Advocate is tostir things up

for good

What is Advocacy?

What is Advocacy?

… an action directed at changing the policies, positions or programs of any type of institution.

What is Advocacy?

… an action directed at changing the policies, positions or programs of any type of institution.

… is speaking up, drawing a community’s attention to an important issue, and directing decision makers toward a solution.

What is Advocacy?

… an action directed at changing the policies, positions or programs of any type of institution.

… is speaking up, drawing a community’s attention to an important issue, and directing decision makers toward a solution.

… is putting a problem on the agenda, providing a solution to that problem and building support for action on both the problem and solution.

What is Advocacy?

… an action directed at changing the policies, positions or programs of any type of institution.

… is speaking up, drawing a community’s attention to an important issue, and directing decision makers toward a solution.

… is putting a problem on the agenda, providing a solution to that problem and building support for action on both the problem and solution.

… is the process of people participating in decision-making processes which affect their lives.

You must be the change you want to see in the world.

- Mahatma Gandhi

In a report from the Congressional Management Foundation on October 03, 2011 --

“Congressional offices are receiving between 200 to 1,000 percent more constituent communications than they were ten years ago.

Despite the increase, a survey of congressional staff indicates that 90 percent believe constituent communications remains a "high priority" for the office.”

Members of Congress are listening District or DC Office visitsEmailPhone callsPOPVOX

HOW TO BE AN ADVOCATE

STAGE 1

Identify the Issue

STAGE 1

Identify the Issue

Politics = who gets what, when & how

STAGE 1

Identify the Issue what is the problem? who are the actors/decision makers involved in this

issue? what is the public perception of the problem? what are those in opposition saying? what has been tried to remedy the issue in the past but

failed and why?

STAGE 2

Define the objective

STAGE 2

what is the goal?who are the decision makers?how will you define success? what is your timeline?what outcome is politically,

economically and socially feasible?

Components of a Guiding Document

Components of a Guiding Document

a concise and persuasive statement that offers the goals of the advocacy action – what is to be achieved, why, and how

Components of a Guiding Document

a concise and persuasive statement that offers the goals of the advocacy action – what is to be achieved, why, and how

a statement on why this is an the objective achievable

Components of a Guiding Document

a concise and persuasive statement that offers the goals of the advocacy action – what is to be achieved, why, and how

a statement on why this is an the objective achievable

a show of support for this objective

Components of a Guiding Document

a concise and persuasive statement that offers the goals of the advocacy action – what is to be achieved, why, and how

a statement on why this is an the objective achievable

a show of support for this objective an accounting of sufficient resources (money

and supporters’ time) to achieve the goal

Components of a Guiding Document

a concise and persuasive statement that offers the goals of the advocacy action – what is to be achieved, why, and how

a statement on why this is an the objective achievable

a show of support for this objective an accounting of sufficient resources (money

and supporters’ time) to achieve the goal a clear and realistic time frame

STAGE 3

Build support

STAGE 3

Who are the people who can influence the outcome?

Who are the stakeholders? Who are your allies? (including strange

bedfellows) What is role of the press?

STAGE 3

Define the decision makers for the movement.

Decide clear roles of who will be moving the issue ahead.

Provide mechanisms for leaders to be accountable.

STAGE 3

Build a LIST of those who want to be engaged (and keep it updated)

STAGE 3

Build a LIST of those who want to be engaged (and keep it updated) Encourage those on the list to invite others in

their organizations, churches to join as well Communicate with them regularly with

updates to keep up the momentum

STAGE 4

Engage

STAGE 4

Engage

- a public gathering

STAGE 4

Engage

- Communicate your message

STAGE 4

Engage through the mediawrite a letter to the editor and

encourage others to do the sameask prominent members of your group

to write an op-ed for publication

STAGE 4

Engage online create a social network presence

BLOG – free blog sites from Google Website – can create for free Facebook – create your own group Twitter – tweeting for change

STAGE 4

Engage by keeping informed Create a POPVOX account

POPVOX – www.popvox.com

STAGE 4

Engage

STAGE 4

Engage

your Member of Congress

Engaging Congress

Remember –

a survey of congressional staff indicates that 90 percent believe constituent communications remains a "high priority" for the office.”

Engaging Congress

The big secret to meeting with your Member of Congress, either in Washington DC or in the district office is . . . .

Engaging Congress

The big secret to meeting with your Member of Congress, either in Washington DC or in the district office is . . . .

call the office and make an appointment.

Keys to a successful visit

1. Do your research.Know your Member’s position on the issue, including voting record. Spend some time in your preparation with others thinking about the types of questions that will be asked of you and preparing answers. Be prepared to answer the question: what does it mean if this decision is made (or not made). Name those who will be affected.

Keys to a successful visit

2. Practice, Practice, Practice. Be able to make your case clearly and quickly using

your one-pager for talking points and facts. Most meetings in Congressional offices last for only 10 – 15 minutes.

Be prepared to offer solutions, especially if there are ways that you can help if appropriate.

Keys to a successful visit

3. Determine a speaking order. Determine the speaking order. Generally, the person

who has the most knowledge about the subject should lead the conversation.

Make sure that each person has an opportunity to share their personal connection to the issue and answer the question, “Why is this issue important to me.”

Before the visit, it is a good idea to talk through the order of speaking and each person’s answer to this question.

Keys to a successful visit

4. Have realistic expectations. Most likely you will be meeting with a staffer. This

doesn’t mean that your issue isn’t important. Staffers are the work-horses of DC and Members rely on them heavily for information on how their constituents feel about the issues.

Don’t expect the Member or Staffer to change their mind on the spot because of your visit.

Be respectful of the time you are allotted for your visit and don’t be upset if you are asked to wait for your meeting.

Keys to a successful visit

5. Leave behind information. Prior to the visit, assemble materials that include a

summary of the group’s position, including the names and contact information of all who visited.

Include any other press pieces or supporting documents, such as media pieces or op-eds from prominent individuals, that support your case.

Can leave a small “token” that complies with House or Senate rules for gifts as a visual reminder.

Keys to a successful visit

6. Thank them for the meeting. Thank the staffer or Member for their time at the close of

the meeting. Follow up with a note or call after the event. If they promised to take further action or provide you with

more information, you can remind them of that promise at that time.

Keys to a successful visit

7. Share the news Use the communications networks that you have

developed to report on the meeting and encourage any specific follow up.

Keys to a successful visit

Only have 5 minutes?

Keys to a successful visit

Only have 5 minutes?

A simple call will do.

Keys to a successful visit

You can reach any Member’s office by calling the Capitol Switchboard at

202-224-3121and asking the operator to transfer you to that office.

Keys to a successful visit

When on the call….- Identify yourself and give your address

- tell the staffer why you are calling and offer your opinion

Questions?

Comments?

Thanks for attending….

Robin Fillmore, PhD

Advocacy Coordinator

CWU and NCC

robinfillmore@churchwomen.org

202-481-6929