the art of advocacy find your voice: become an effective child & youth advocate february 4 th
TRANSCRIPT
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The Art of Advocacy…
Session Schedule:
1:00 – 1:10 Introductions
1:10 – 1:55 The Government Relations (GR)/Advocacy Process
1:55 – 2:30 Breakout Groups/Scenario Analysis
2:30 – 2:45 Coffee
2:45 – 3:15 Issues Discussion/Q&A
3:15 – 4:00 Election Strategies for Advocates
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Advocacy vs. Lobbying
When organizations advocate, they seek to affect some aspect of society, whether they appeal to individuals about their behavior, employers about their rules, or the government about its programs. Lobbying generally refers specifically to attempts to influence government decisions that is more rooted in self-interest.
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Characteristics of Advocacy
Pro:There is an inherent legitimacy/validation when intervening for someone else!!!
Con:In most case, the group being advocated for is not a direct player on the political playing field
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Definition of Advocacy (GR)
Communications
with Decision-Makers
to effect Outcomes
(What?/When?)
(Who?)
(Why?)
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Why is GR Important?• Pythagorean Theorem
• Gettysburg Address
• Declaration of Independence
• Charter of Rights & Freedoms
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286
1,300
2,609
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Why is GR Important?
Think in terms of this phrase…
You are either at the Table…
Or
You are on the Menu…
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GR –Shift From…
As taxpaying citizen you expect your
government(s) to fulfill certain responsibilities
and evaluate governmental actions it terms of
Wrong or Right
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GR –Shift To…
As a person acting in the interests of an
Organization/Association you need to view
government(s) as rulemaker and view
governmental actions through a lens of
Losers & Winners
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For every action…In government, nothing happens in a vacuum.
Once you determine what you are “Asking”
government for, you need to review who the
other “Winners” would be and who the
“Losers” would be. Always anticipate
“Pushback”
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GR Process Basics
1. Clearly Define your “Ask”!
2. Align Interests (“Winners”)
3. Anticipate Pushback (“Losers)
4. Intervene as early as possible
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Components of a GR Program
• Government Activity Monitoring• Communications• Contact Programs• Issue Intervention• Events
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Government Activity Monitoring
The key consideration here is timeliness.
The sooner you can identify an issue of potential concern the greater your chances of effecting the outcome.
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Important Sources
• Campaign Platform Documents• Speech From the Throne• Budget Speech• Departmental Plans and Priorities• Ministerial Statements and Speeches• Speeches by Senior Public Servants • House and Committee Statements
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Partisan vs. Political Actions
• At the foundation of Partisan Action is the notion of “us” vs. “them” with a overlay of “good” vs. “bad”
• Political Action involves building ongoing relationships with all players that is driven by facts and aligns interests
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Being Right…..
Be factual, spin is tolerated but dishonesty is
not. Put your argument in the best light
possible, “Winners & Losers” provides more
opportunity than “Right or Wrong”
to stretch your argument(s).
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In the Right Way…
1. Is this a bureaucratic or political decision?
2. Does it require legislative, regulatory or Order in Council (OIC)?
3. Speak Their Language
4. Understand Their Situation
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With the Right Person…
Provincial, Federal & Municipal governments
generally maintain an online directory (database) of all staff.
You can search by:• Name• Department• Position• Etc.
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At the Right Time…
If you understand the financial, legislative and electoral cycles of government, you will be able to align your ask/intervention with
the decision-makers requirements,
timelines and deadlines.
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Contact Programs
Find your Natural Allies
Know your Respective Ministers/Parliamentary Secretaries/Critics
Know your Legislative Committee(s)
Identify Key Bureaucrats
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Issue Intervention
Your “Point” should include:
•Rationale for change you are seeking•Clear and realistic “Ask”•Reference to change mechanism/process
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Issue Intervention
•Never do any heavy lifting by yourself
•Strength in numbers (Blowfish)
•Use the media wisely
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Events
• Great potential for creative strategy
• Increased Importance given new lobby rules
• Provide Profile for key elected officials
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The Government Relations (GR) Process
1) Determine your existing/potential points of contact with regulatory framework(s) and monitor the activities of government(s)
2) Identify potential friction points or areas for action
3) Determine the key “Asks” and points of resistance. Align interests of “Winners” and anticipate “Pushback” from “Losers”
4) Develop strategies for intervention and monitor outcomes against identified GR objectives