ADVOCACY ROLE Building Relationships Educating Elected Officials Judy M. Groff Advisory System and Program Development Leader NCCE

ADVISORY LEADERS  Well informed  Articulate  Believe in value of Extension  Recognize benefits to taxpayers

DEFINITION of ADVOCACY  Support for a cause  May embrace a wide variety of activities  Might not include lobbying  Lobbying is an attempt to influence specific legislation

Who Are the Stakeholders?  Elected officials  Business leaders  Funding sources  Community leaders

ADVOCATES NEED...  Knowledge of:  Extension organization and notable programs  Clientele needs and benefits received  Funding sources and needs  Government process and structure  Roles of pertinent elected officials  Communication skills

Group Strategies  Inviting to Extension-sponsored events  Planned tour of land grant campus  Tours of exemplary programs  Back home visits  Make annual reports  Host annual “get together”

Individual Strategies  Write congratulatory note to newly elected officials  Participate in local political events  addressing concerns  Escort to an Extension-sponsored event  Call to educate about an issue  Follow up specific contacts with a note

THE MESSAGE  Education - Extension is an educational institution  Access - Extension is the door to the university  Relevance - Extension still helps people improve their lives  Linkages - Federal/ state/ county partnerships