1. Electronic Advocacy by Non-Profit Organizations in Social Welfare Policy Formation: A Framework and Results of a Study
John G. McNutt, Boston College
Kate Boland, United Way of Camden County, NJ

2. Overview of the Presentation
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions
Definition
Population of Interest
Time Spent on Advocacy
Framework
Commonly Use Techniques
Policy Areas Addressed
Perceived Effectiveness
Perceived Barriers
Summary of Findings
Future Research

3. Purpose of the Study
To examine the current application of Electronic Advocacy techniques by the affiliates of a national social work professional association

4. Research Questions
Electronic Advocacy techniques used in policy change efforts
Types of issues addressed
Perceived barriers

5. Definition of Electronic Advocacy
“… the use of technologically intensive media as a means to influence stakeholders to effect policy change” (Edward Fitzgerald & John McNutt, 1996)

6. Population of Interest
Local affiliates of a national social work professional association
IRS Classification 501 (C) 6
Profession and Association have a historical commitment to advocacy

7. Reported Time Spent on Policy Activities

8. Framework for Analyzing Emerging Techniques

9. Policy Areas Addressed Using Electronic Advocacy Techniques
Welfare Reform 66%
Managed Care 66%
Mental Health 55%
Health Care 55%
Licensing 53%
Children’s Issues 45%
Aging Issues 27%
Violence 23%
Criminal Justice 21%

10. Most Frequently Used Techniques
based Techniques
for Internal Coordination 73%
Distribution List 55%
to Decision-makers 51%
for Internal Coordination 46%
Internet based Techniques
WebPage 28%
Links to Policy Sites 21%
Collateral Techniques
Fax 96%
Conference Call 77%
Discussion Lists for Policy Research 45%

11. Perceived Effectiveness & Perceived Use By Other Groups
7 point scale
1 = not very effective
Mean = 3.2
Perceived Use By Other Groups
7 point scale
1 = never
Mean = 3.3

12. Perceived Barriers to Using Electronic Advocacy Techniques
Expertise 66%
Expense 57%
Awareness 49%
Equipment 45%
Universal Access 38%
External Resistance 13%
Space 13%
Internal Resistance 6%
Staff Resistance 4%
Management Approval 2%

13. Summary of Results
Policy Areas Addressed
Techniques Used
Barriers

14. Future Research Effectiveness with Decision-makers
Differences across Organizational Fields
Use of Specific Techniques