1. Advocacy a new way of communicating
Presented by: Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery

2. Who are we? Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR)
Sarah Thompson, Executive Director
501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Our mission is to advocate for individuals in and seeking recovery, address barriers to recovery, educate the public, and eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with addiction.

3. Stigma and Discrimination
What is your early message about stigma and how does stigma prevent wellness and recovery?
How does stigma lead to discrimination?
How can individuals, organizations, and communities unlearn stigma and promote wellness and recovery?
Get into small groups
First Round
What is Stigma
Second Round
How does stigma prevent wellness and recovery
Third Round
How can individuals, organizations, and communities unlearn stigma and promote wellness and recovery
This leads me into our first activity for the day.
Words can wound
What are some of the words you hear when describing someone with an addiction?
What are some words that replace these negative words?
Need Posit Boards
Messaging Training language
Key Messages
What are some things that we can learn from this exercise? Stigmatizing labels create barriers and lead to prejudice and discrimination. Language can hurt emotionally and psychologically.

4. Story TElling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxDwieKpawg
Andrew Stanton: The clues to a great story
Producer of films like Toy Story and Finding Nemo
(Start time at 1.22)

5. Story TELLING
How can we begin thinking about our story as a catalyst for change?

6. Messaging
Have effective, credible language that you can use to talk about your life and experiences
Know how to use the message in different situations
Make it possible for more people to get well

7. Your Frame of Mind Speak with one voice
Make it personal; it adds credibility and breaks down misperceptions
Talk about your recovery, not your addiction – your recovery story

8. Putting a Face & a Voice on Recovery: Message for a Person in Recovery
11/27/2018
Putting a Face & a Voice on Recovery: Message for a Person in Recovery
I’m in long-term recovery which means...
• Have not used alcohol or other drugs for x number years
Long-term recovery has given me new hope and stability
I’ve been able to create a better life for myself, my family and my community
I’m speaking out so that others have the opportunity to achieve long-term recovery
Technical note:
Ask people to take out their Recovery Message memo. The trainer should have one on hand as well. Important to ask people to be open-minded again.

9. Putting a Face & a Voice on Recovery: Message for a Family Member
I and my family are in long-term recovery, which means …
(My son/daughter/husband/wife) hasn’t used alcohol or other drugs for x years
We’ve become healthier together, enjoying family life in our home
Long-term recovery has given me and my family new purpose and hope for the future
I want to make it possible for others to do the same
The recovery community is people in recovery, family members, friends and allies. That’s why there’s messaging here for family members.
After reviewing the content of this slide, do exercise using flip chart. Ask the audience what words are associated with a person who is addicted to alcohol or other drugs. Write the words on the flip chart. When finished, ask what all these words have in common (they are all negative, they reinforce stigma, etc.).
Technical note:
Refer to the Recovery Messaging memo, where it’s included.

10. What’s Not in the Message and Why
I’m an addict (or alcoholic)
I’m a recovering addict (or alcoholic)
Addiction is a disease
Information about 12-step programs, for examples membership in AA or NA or Al- Anon
A “definition” of recovery
Technical note:
Refer to the Recovery Messaging hand out for more explanation. Read one or two examples and the reason why it’s not in the message.

11. Advocacy 101
Definition: Advocacy is any attempt to influence public opinion and attitudes that directly affect people’s lives.
Advocacy is a much broader range of activities which may or may not include lobbying.
Lobbying usually attempts to influence legislation at the federal and state level
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

12. “Lobbying always involves advocacy but advocacy does not necessarily involve lobbying.”
Can you name differences between the two?
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest,
CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

13. Direct lobbying
Intentional advocacy directed toward a legislator, staffer or other government employee who may participate in the formulation of the legislation if the principal purpose of the communication is to influence legislation.
Two elements must be present:
The communication must refer to specific legislation; and
The communication must reflect a view on such legislation
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

14. Grassroots lobbying
Refers to the many types of indirect attempts to communicate with and influence legislators, such as communication aimed at legislators’ constituents.
Three elements must be present:
The communication must refer to specific legislation;
The communication reflects a view on such legislation; and
The communication encourages the recipient of the communication to take action.
Educate the public about the value of what you do
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

15. Ways to provide advocacy
Sustained Dialogue
Sponsor a candidate night
Site visit to agency
Help form and join advocacy groups
Personal visit to legislator’s office
Invite legislators and local policy makers to your agency
Legible handwritten letter – mail or fax
Sponsor events (Alcohol Awareness Month, National Recovery Month) and publicize!
Typed personal letter – mail or fax
Phone call
Send legislators latest research findings
Form letter
(CESAR Fax)
Mass postcards
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

16. How to identify key stakeholders
Activity

17. Question? When facing an issue, are all parties at the table?
Who is not at the table and what would they say if they were here?

18. Strategy development Planning is the key to success
What resources do you have?
What are your goals?
What are your targets?
Who are your likely allies and partners?
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

19. Tips to relationship development
1. What can you offer to your elected official?
2. When meeting with a legislative aide, you ARE meeting with your elected official.
3. Invite them to your recovery house!
4. Provide positive feedback WHEN YOU CAN!
5. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS thank them for their time, and send a follow up thank you note!

20. Next steps Want to know more about effective advocacy?
Start building your coalition TODAY!
Become a member of OCAAR – We need your voice!
Attend the 2018 Rally for Recovery at Huntington Park
Attend our 3 part series on recovery advocacy
Held monthly ONLINE

21. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead
There are plenty of possible reasons why advocacy is important, do not underestimate the power of what those reasons are for yourself.
Advocating is you stepping into your personal power, contributing member, community wellness. Instead of living in fear and isolation, this is a way to get past the shame.
At the end of the day, being an advocate benefits society on a large scale other than just who you are advocating on behalf of.
example: advocating for Apple to hire individuals in recovery benefits the community by giving people the opportunity to work, and Apple increases their outputs by hiring more people as well as increasing their public image by showing that they are a solution.
You can use this for yourself or pass it along to someone who you think can be effective.
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, CADCA’s Strategizer 31: Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth

22. Sarah Thompson sthompson@oca-ohio.org 614-961-0565
Presented by: Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery and Confluency Consulting