1. How to be an Advocate MARCY Hufendick, MS, LPC, CSAC
UW Parkside – student health & counseling center
October 19, 2015

2. What does it mean to Advocate?

3. What does it mean to Advocate?
Definition
Advocate:
n. To speak, plead, or argue in favor of; a person who pleads for
a cause or on behalf of another.
1. One that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender: an advocate of civil rights.
2. One that pleads in another's behalf; an intercessor
v. To work actively to plead for a cause on behalf of others
To aid the cause of by approving or favoring: back, champion, endorse, get behind, recommend, side with, stand behind, stand by, support, uphold.
Idioms: align oneself with, go to bat for, take the part of

4. who has limited ability to exercise his/her rights.
Types of Advocates
Advocate: An advocate is a person who, with explicit authority, represents another person’s interests.
Informal Advocate: A friend or family member who is nominated by a client as their personal
advocate. This is more like a support person.
Systems Advocate: Taking action to influence social, political, and economic systems to bring about change for groups of people. An organization or professional advocate who can act for a disadvantaged individual or group of individuals in an institutional setting. 
Peer Advocate: taking action to represent the rights and interests of someone other than yourself
Legal Advocate: A nominated advocate whose role has legal status, for example holding and
enduring Power of Attorney who protect legal rights.   
Advocacy may involve speaking, acting or writing on behalf of an individual (or group)
who has limited ability to exercise his/her rights.

5. What is important to you?
Poverty, race, religion, children, women’s rights, ability, politics, education, economy, immigration, affordable housing, contraceptive rights, war, abortion,

7. Why does it matter to you?

9. Now what do I do?

11. Where am I at?

12. How do I become more aware?
Read: books, articles, credible websites
Listen: to knowledge people, TED Talks, etc.
Ask Questions
Investigate on your own; don’t just believe what others say
Ponder: take time to consider what you believe
Be willing to change your thinking as you learn and evolve
Be willing to say “I don’t know”
Be willing to say “I was wrong”

13. What makes a good advocate?
A good advocate does his/her homework.
A good advocate follows through on what they say they are going to do.
A good advocate is not afraid to ask difficult or uncomfortable questions.
A good and effective advocate knows how to persevere and not give in but also how and when to compromise.
A good advocate is someone who is not afraid to be the ‘lone wolf’ or take an unpopular stance.

15. ACTIVITY SHEET – INFORMAL ADVOCACY PLAN

16. https://youtu.be/XKSoTQty0yQ

18. How does change happen?

19. Thank you!