Advocacy Committee

What is advocacy? To advocate for something means: –To speak or write in favor of; –support or urge by argument; – recommend publicly To be an advocate for something means: –a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. – person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor. –a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law.

Advocacy Committee Goal of the GAAP Advocacy Committee Responsibilities of the advocacy committee Skills needed as an advocacy committee member Professions which utilize these skills Ways to help anti-genocide movement NOW!

Goal of the Advocacy Committee –The goal of this committee is to organize peaceful ways for the NYMC community to compel elected officials to support Darfur- related legislation “To protect civilians in Darfur and bring this genocide to a halt, we must hold our elected officials accountable for their action – and inaction.” -STAND website

Responsibilities of the Advocacy Committee Understanding the history and background of the conflict and genocide in Darfur, Sudan Keeping up with current events occurring in Sudan Staying informed of the current U.S. legislation affecting the people of Darfur Effecting change in Darfur by lobbying for the rights and safety of innocent Darfurian civilians

So what does it take to be an advocacy committee member? Commitment to understanding the situation in Darfur and current U.S. policies and legislation affecting Darfurians Being able to “find out the facts” Ability to organize promotional or lobbying events

Ability to work with others in a team and collaborate with other committees Good communication skills Desire to make a difference What it takes…

Taking it to the next level… Career possibilities: Lawyers Politicians Lobbyists Managers Other???

So you’ve heard all about the Advocacy committee and the skills you need to pursue a career in politics, but you may be thinking “What can I do to help the anti- genocide movement in the meantime?”

What YOU Can Do: –Read the newspaper/listen to radio/watch television news/documentaries to become more educated about the situation –Research online to get the facts –Talk to other people to get the word out and educate others –Join news or advocacy groups

More things YOU Can Do: –Write letters to your state’s members of Congress (go to to find your state’s House of Representative member and go to to find your state’s Senators) –You can do telephone campaigns or call-ins where you call your Senator or HOR member and encourage them to support Darfur-related legislation –Get involved in direct lobbying

What Elected Officials Can Do: –Since Congress is the primary lawmaking body in the U.S. government, they play a large role in deciding which legislation can be passed or rejected –Every member of Congress receives a letter grade based on their support for key Darfur-related legislation and other initiatives. –Visit to find out if your members of Congress made the grade on supporting legislation to end the genocide.

Actor Don Cheadle joined hundreds of students at the University of California in support of targeted Sudan divestment. In March, 2006, the University restricted holdings in nine "offending" companies.