Advocacy 101 Getting Your Message Heard Mary Hastler February 4, 2010

Stephanie Vance, The Advocacy Guru Libraries Prosper with Passion, Purpose and Persuasion! A PLA Toolkit for Success The Public Library Association a division of the American Library Association 2007 ALA Advocacy University American Library Association advocacyuniversity/index.cfm

Pop Goes the Library. Using Pop Culture to Connect with your Whole Community. Sophie Brookover and Elizabeth Burns 2008

What is Advocacy? Creating an argument in support of a specific proposal and getting your audience to say “yes.”

Advocacy is… Advocacy is the pursuit of influencing outcomes – including public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions – that directly affect people’s current lives.

Continued - Advocacy is performed mainly to make policy makers sensitive for effective and efficient use of budget as per needs and concerns of people.

Key Components Developing a goal Identifying desired outcome(s) Develop strategies Implement Evaluate

Ask these questions What do you hope to accomplish Can you identify a desired outcome or outcomes?

Know what you want Knowing what you want helps define every aspect of your advocacy effort (Vance). Identify your objective or objectives.

Identify the issues, concern, or problem Identify your audience (who do you need to talk to?)

Develop a clear message What you want What is the issue, problem or concern

What do you want the person to do? What action do you want them to take?

Do not overwhelm with paper. Keep handouts to a minimum.

Communication Plan Social networking

Website

Advocacy is year round, 24/7 Need to maintain and nourish Follow up on your invitation to visit the library after the legislative and/or budget session is over.

Mary Hastler Associate Director Harford County Public Library