Parents Anonymous of New Jersey 1 Finding Your Voice to Speak Up! Presented at Parent Leadership Conference of SPAN, Parents Anonymous, & National Institute for Family Success

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey 2 Goals for the day Better Understand the processes involved in individual, community, and legislative arenas Communicate using improved written and verbal negotiation skills Identify organizations that care about the same issues that concern you Determine Follow up Actions

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey 3 Definition An advocate is one who supports or speaks in favor of another, one who pleads for another A parent can be their child’s best advocate.

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey4 Speak UP! Using Strategic Communication Skills Definition “Strategic communication in advocacy is any planned activity that seeks to achieve any or all of the following goals: inform, motivate, persuade, move to action or champion a cause”

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey5 Key Elements of Strategic Communication 1. Understand the audience well 2. See the issue from their perspective 3. Think about what will motivate them to support your cause 4. Think about how they will benefit from joining your cause 5. Think of the potential risks they may face by joining your cause

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey6 Message Development In order to reach your intended audience you need to prepare your message. The advocacy message you prepare is what you choose to say about the policy issue, and its solution. It also reflects who you are. There are certain principles of message development, the characteristics of an effective message, its elements, the alternative formats for messages and factors to consider in the choice of message formats.

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey7 Ten Principles of Message Development Know your audience Know your environment and moment Keep your message simple and brief Use real life stories and quotes Use precise, powerful language and active verbs

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey8 Ten Principles of Message Development continued Use clear facts and numbers creatively Adapt the message to the medium Allow the audience to reach their own understanding Encourage the audience to take action Present a possible solution

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey9 Characteristics of Effective Messages Simple, concise Appropriate language Content consistent with format A credible messenger Tone and language (for example, serious humorous, or provocative) consistent with content

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey10 Five Elements of Messages Content Language Messenger/Source Format/Medium Time and Place

Content What you want to achieve Why to want to achieve it How you propose to achieve it What action you want the audience to take Parents Anonymous of New Jersey11

Language Language refers to the words you choose to communicate your message clearly and effectively. Parents Anonymous of New Jersey12

Messenger/Source The messenger or source is the person who will deliver the message. Is the messenger credible to your target audience? Is it possible to involve representatives of the community affected by the policy change as messengers? Parents Anonymous of New Jersey13

Format/Medium The format or medium is the communication channel you use for message delivery. What is the most compelling format to reach your target audience—a signed petition, a face to face meeting, or a TV or radio advertisement? Parents Anonymous of New Jersey14

Time and Place When and where will you deliver your message? Is there an electoral campaign underway that might make policy-makers more receptive than normal to your message? Are there other political events that you can link up with? Parents Anonymous of New Jersey15

Create Change’s Call to Action Writing or calling your elected officials Becoming involved in the Create Change! Coalition Participating in marches that support a cause Getting petitions started and signed for issues Voting and getting your friends to vote for candidates who put children first Parents Anonymous of New Jersey16

Next Steps Think of an issue that you want to communicate to your legislature or local governing body Research who you need to contact Write down your message Connect to a mentor/agency to work on getting your issue addressed Parents Anonymous of New Jersey17

Parents Anonymous of New Jersey18 How will you Advocate for your Children? I Will _____________________________ __________________________________ If you wish to register your pledge and to be informed of our campaign updates please tell us your: Name: _______________________________ _______________________________ Address:_____________________________ Phone: _______________________________