Overview of advocacy What it is What it does Why do it Role of ACHA leaders and members

Need for Advocacy To change community conditions Set of skills to –Shift public opinion –Mobilize needed resources to support - an issue - constituency - policy

Advocacy Is About Building relationships –Legislators and officials – federal, state, local -Other interested organizations -Media Building skills –Identifying issues –Communicating facts/experience/goals Influencing policy – having a plan, having passion, following through

ACHA 1998 mission 1999 strategic plan As a nonprofit organization

Consider Message Messenger Delivery –Strategies –Vehicles –Timing Media

Elected officials Like to be asked Are good learners Have many demands on their time Do not have sufficient resources to meet demands Are always running for office Respond to crises Behave differently when they know they’re being watched Look for opportunities Want to know solutions to problems

A Well-Prepared Advocate Focuses on priorities Learns policy makers’ past positions on issues Builds relationships with policy makers’ staff Lines up arguments, anticipates opposing points Collects constituent-specific info

An Effective Advocate Understands the process: getting attention, being credible Is prepared: clear message, written material, allies Communicates: policymakers, media, partners Follows through: passion/commitment, info/relationships; patience

But You Don’t Have Time? One minute: leave a message with a policymaker 3-5 minutes: copy and share an article of interest with colleague or policymaker 5-10: send an or letter to policymaker 10-15: write a letter to editor 3-6 hours: attend a training, participate in a coalition meeting More: represent org on coalition, participate on an advocacy task force

But You Don’t Have Support? Present testimony, develop factsheets, identify accurate sources of info Speak at local town or public meeting as a citizen Use own networks – profess. assoc, local coalition, interested community members Take a course on advocacy, read Research and publish findings – make policy recommendations locally and nationally

Frequently Asked Questions Are we allowed to lobby, or not? Are there restrictions on work time and property? How do I know if I have permission/ authority to speak on behalf of my university?

21 st century vision Train students and members on advocacy and advocacy leadership Nurture members to be policy leaders Provide opportunities Reward/recognize leadership Develop/share factsheets/advocacy alerts Build relationships with policymakers Hold policymakers accountable Infuse advocacy into curricula Encourage members to hold power

ACHA Identify college health advocacy priorities Participate in coalitions Develop factsheets/issue briefs Mobilize membership and others Monitor and provide input re legislative action issue alerts for responses Communicate/meet with legislators Organize/participate in press events and hearings on college health issues Continue to support advocacy summits Encourage adv courses, training on campus

College health opportunities on campus Students as advocates Curricula infusion Access to: coalitions, volunteer base, research, technology, outreach, media, voter registration

Resources Listservs Higher ed advocacy consortium Websites

congress.orgwww.vote-smart.orgwww.vote-smart.org

Next Steps Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How do we get there?