Preparing For the Advocacy You’re Already Doing Great Lakes Alliance Region May 3, 2007 organizecollaborate mobilize connect overcome

2 Why are you here? Is there anything specific that you hoped to get out of this session? What kinds of activities are YWCAs already doing? Make you list as we go along

3 overview Identify advocacy activities Examine “wrap around” strategies that can transform a stand alone activity into a campaign or initiative Anchor activities within an organization’s strategic objectives for the long-term Create activities and initiatives that are strategic, internally supported and substantial enough to have results

4 The advocacy we’re already doing The YWCA McLean County Bus Story We know that most organizations are doing some kind of mission- related advocacy Advocacy is often an outgrowth of program

5 Advocacy we’re already doing, #2 Embedding advocacy activities internally Immigration coalition example Protecting your non- profit status MI Prop 2 example

6 Research about nonprofit advocacy Most nonprofit advocacy: –Consists of stand alone events or activities –Is not substantial enough to evaluate successes or expect results Example: Web-based action alerts

7 “advocacy” is the work of making social change by aiming at changing policies, systems, and institutions.

8 when do we do advocacy? Most often an advocacy activity is done in response to: An existing problem, anticipated problem, or newly revealed problem in your community A change or anticipated change in local policy, rules, or regulations Because a relationship encourages you to get involved; peer pressure

9 why do advocacy? Advocacy is ultimately about increasing your organization’s ability to deliver more mission The line between program and advocacy can be fuzzy, and this is okay. –Sometimes a new program evolves out of successful advocacy; –Good programs often have policy-change spin offs.

10 Establish a goal/ propose a solution, and set of strategies; Implement your plan Evaluate progress, Publicize successes; Reformulate Strategy Identify an Issue; Research and Understand the details Basic Advocacy Process

11 Can “One Shot” advocacy succeed? If the goal is community education, any single activity is probably not enough –Public Health examples If you have a very specific target and a clear appeal, you may be able to succeed with a single strategy –Lobbying examples

12 Case example: Take Back the Night

13 Take Back the Night A YWCA joins with its local college campus to produce an annual Take Back the Night rally and march during April. The event is intended to mobilize female rape survivors and educate community members about violence against women. The event draws between people annually, and is covered on the evening news.

14 key questions Is this an advocacy activity? What policy, system, or institution does it seek to change? Who is the decision-maker or change agent it targets? Does it have the intended effect?

15 What are the activities? Rally Issue Education Grassroots Organizing Media engagement What’s the Goal? Empower survivors as a group Educate community about Sexual Violence Who’s the target? Community members Rape Survivors Is it substantial enough to achieve the goal? What is the next step for people at the rally? How will this event change a system, policy or institution? Will empowered survivors and community members be galvanized to do something?

16 Expanding, Embedding & Wrapping Around Once you’ve identified the advocacy you’re already doing, 1.Be Specific Name the intended policy, system, or institutional change intended for each Identify the decision makers who have the power to give you what you want What specific activities are you already doing to accomplish the intended goal?

17 Expanding and Embedding #2 2. Think about easy ways to expand a single activity into an initiative or campaign a basic one page issue summary can become: a letter to the editor or pitch to an editorial board a press release an alert to staff, board members, community members, and partner organizations a “leave behind” for a legislative visit

18 Expanding and Embedding #2 2. expanding, continued Make connections across program areas; cross pollinate and cross train If you’re not already working with at least 3 external partners, think about who they are and what you need to do to engage them

19 Expanding and Embedding 3. Embed the issue in your organization’s work Locate it within your mission Locate it within your budget Locate it within your strategic plan Share what you know at a staff meeting, board meeting, etc.

20 A note on internal preparation If your policy change activities are substantial, and include lobbying, you may need to review your organization’s 501h status Online through and h training on 5/10/07

21 conclusion Anything worth doing is worth doing strategically Almost anything worth doing is worth broadcasting widely Think far into the future about where you see your organization

22 Conclusion Occasionally ask “On what issue is our YWCA seen as the local leader? Are we doing everything we can to become or maintain this visibility?”