2012 International Conference RESULTS the power to end poverty Why All This Fuss About Advocacy?

Welcome  Welcome all of you  Provide some context for the training and experiences we’ve organized here

Some Quick Tips  Lunch today is from 11 am to 12:30 pm. If you are new, connect with people who know the ropes. If you know the ropes, ask those who are new to join you.  There are lots of staff and experienced people who can support and guide you—reach out to them.  Know that things might be a bit overwhelming at first, but they will get better. Breath and take it in.  Social media: take pictures, share insights on Twitter and FB: #resultsconf or facebook.com/RESULTSEdFund

Why All the Fuss About Advocacy? Main Objective

Mission of RESULTS  To create the political will to end hunger and the worst aspects of poverty  To empower individuals to have breakthroughs in exercising their personal and political power

Why RESULTS Exists  If there are solutions to problems of poverty, they should be applied everywhere—and we know there are solutions.  It’s the right thing to do. Survival and opportunity should not be a function of where one is born.  Government works on behalf of the people (us). The role of government is to set priorities and channel resources. We interface with government so that it will prioritize poverty solutions and investments to develop human potential.

“ Lobbyist”  What is the first thing that comes to mind?  Why?  Why do lobbyists lobby?

Because it Pays  “An index based on the amount of lobbying that American firms do has outperformed the broader market since its creation in 2008; data going back to 1998 show that it has done better over the longer term, too…”  “In aggregate the results have been stunning, comparable to the returns of the most blistering hedge fund. The index has outperformed the S&P500 by 11% a year since 2002…it seems remarkable that companies would do anything but lobby.” --The Economist, October 1, 2011

How Much Lobbying? 24 paid lobbyists for each member of Congress

What if we could have the same kind of influence around issues we care about? Lobbyists lobby because it works

Our Potential Influence Source: Congressional Management Foundation

Where Many People Are Starting  We are operating in an arena, advocacy, where most people have few skills and little experience:—so it’s not a very comfortable place.  Media portrays the controversy and not the progress on many issues—so we become cynical.  Many people experience the world as a place where they have little power to affect big change. Even experienced advocates can revert to feeling cynical and powerless.  Discomfort, powerlessness, cynicism are present for most people. 12

What is Possible if We Move Through Powerlessness?  In late 2010 RESULTS U.S. used media, public education, Congressional meetings, partnership work, and a sign-on letter to secure a a 3-year, $4 billion pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria by the U.S.  In 2011 RESULTS used media, congressional meetings, sign-on letters, and partnerships to secure a $409 million increase in Head Start and Early Head Start funding for  In late 2011 donor nations pledged $4.3 billion to GAVI to save the lives of 4 million children by RESULTS, ACTION, and our global partners were instrumental in securing these commitments.

Success at Community Level Richard Burr, a Republican, is North Carolina’s senior US Senator.

Individual & Group Success Lead to Collective Success  Having groups of advocates throughout the nation working on the same actions and creating champions in government creates momentum.  The collective impact of our work moves hearts, laws, and money at a national level.  Our collective work internationally moves the world community toward poverty solutions.

What Do We Need to Know to Advocate Effectively?  We need to learn to use the tools of advocacy  We need to have courage and be persistent  We need to have very specific objectives  We need to know how decision makers make decisions  We need to know a bit about the political system: calendar, how decisions are made, etc.  For example: candidates are more available and eager to listen during election periods  We need support from each other to do things we wouldn’t do ourselves.

The Advocate’s Tools  Relationship  Media  Powerful Speaking  Stories  Information  Collective Influence

Assess where they are, then move them up the Champion Scale 4 Champion 3 Leader 2 Advocate 1 Supporter 0 Uninformed/ Neutral -1 Opponent Advocacy: What are We Trying to Do?

How Decision Makers Decide  Constituents  Staff  Colleagues  Media  Paid Lobbyists  Experts  Personal History

Q & A

Expansion Connections?  We are looking for connections in new states and districts:  ID, WY, MT  MS, AR, LA, AL  ME, VT, RI, NH  IA, SD, ND, MO, KS