Getting an Advocacy Campaign Off the Ground

How is advocacy different from other types of strategy? It involves actions that lead to a selected goal It usually involves getting government, an agency or private business to correct an unfair or harmful situation It is not the same as direct service It may or may not involve confrontation

What do you need for successful advocacy? Your cause needs to be right Your group should have some power in numbers and/or clout You should have thoroughly researched the issue, the opposition, and the climate of opinion in the community You should be skilled in using the tools available to you (including the media) You should pick your strategy and tactics carefully

When is advocacy appropriate? When a powerful agency, institution or company needs to change but will not When nothing else will work When you know you have the capacity to carry it through Other sections of this chapter can help you with different aspects of preparation for advocacy

To understand the issue: Research the root cause of the problem Conduct an analysis of the power structure Learn to recognize potential allies Choose them (and bring them on board) with care To bring others into your campaign:

To identify (and stand up to) opponents: Start with the cause for resistance, and from that identify the people or groups who are likely to oppose you To make sure you conduct your advocacy campaign efficiently: Use the survival tips that will help you achieve your goals and stay out of trouble

To put it together: Make a master action plan that lets you consider all aspects of your campaign at once, so you can adjust different elements to fit Include your mission and objectives, your allies and opponents, your targets and agents of change, and your strategies and detailed action plan

When you look around for help: Check into groups that might normally be against you, but who may help with at least part of your goals To make sure you are on track: Do a careful self-assessment to make sure you are reaching all your objectives and sticking to your timetable Check up on the process, to make sure your group is efficiently working together