1. WG-USA Road Map for Advocacy AGM 2014

2. Advocacy Facts Advocacy is the deliberate process of influencing decision makers, stakeholders and other relevant audiences to support and implement actions that contribute to the fulfillment of human rights, in our case, women’s rights Advocacy as a strategy for the nonprofit sector has become increasingly widespread. Foundations are looking to fund more of this type of work; nonprofits are learning how to harness the power of Advocacy to achieve their mission; and both are trying to better understand how to evaluate success - The California Endowment

3. Road Map Goals Goal 1: To encourage WG –USA members to practice advocacy at the individual level as well as to help them participate more fully on a collective basis as members of WG-USA. Goal 2: To develop the Advocacy function as an organizational strategy that will help WG- USA grow and make a social impact

4. Roadmap - Goal 1 Goal 1: To encourage WG –USA members to practice advocacy at the individual level as well as to help them participate more fully on a collective basis as a group of women that belongs to WG-USA. How do we do that? We do that by understanding the characteristics and dynamics of member organizations.

5. Goal 1 (cont’d) a)Understand and address the member profile Roadmap Criterion wide spectrum of experiences and levels of knowledge among our members Interact with each group of members at the level of their needs. Not a “one-size fits all” strategy

6. Goal 1 (cont’d) b) Understand why women join a member organization Roadmap Criteria interested in developing relationships Connect with each other, discuss views and share experiences. Create a sense of community

7. Goal 1 (cont’d) c) Understand that most women need to be empowered to become advocates Roadmap Criteria Gap between wanting and becoming an advocate Bridge that dissonance Empower members with knowledge Knowledge=info that is processed, concise and timely

8. Goal 1 (cont’d) d) Understand that we have to create the narrative for our members Roadmap Criteria Women’s issues can be unclear – conflict, globalization, religion, society, US foreign policy, etc. Help our members challenge long – held beliefs and help them think critically about issues Establish a “touchstone” – CEDAW – scaffolding document Understand global socio-economic and political policies, major multi-lateral institutions, major humanitarian & civil society and women’s organizations that monitor these policies and make recommendations in the interests of social justice.

9. Goal 1 (cont’d) e) Understand that we have to make it personal Roadmap Criteria Relationship between Americans and women in developing countries Benefits to Americans of having a closer relationship with these women Realationship of enlightened self- interest

10. Goal 1 (cont’d) f) Understand that we have to encourage our members to engage in advocacy Roadmap Criteria Price of Inaction Incremental amounts of advocacy and best results Short and long term advocacy goals for members,

11. Goal 1 (cont’d) g) Understand that members want a window into the world and into the UN. Roadmap Criteria Proximity to the UN – meetings and schedules International conventions, agreements and declarations, selected items of news and current events Understanding of IFUW and opportunities to interact with counterparts in other countries Meaningful relationship with an association in a developing country-we have points of contact with some of these countries

12. Goal 1 (cont’d) h) Understand that our roadmap should enhance and improve the entire member experience Roadmap Criteria Member satisfaction of doing good in the world Member personal and professional growth Members understand the value of membership Members engage as global citizens

13. Goal 1 (cont’d) i) Understand that the WG-USA website needs to play a vital role in advocacy Roadmap Criteria WG-USA is a hybrid organization Website is an organizational tool Intuitively navigable – authentic content- references and links Important component of the member experience

14. Roadmap - Goal 2 Goal 2: To develop the Advocacy function as an organizational strategy that will: a)Help WG-USA grow Important OD principle - the interconnectedness within the organization b) Help WG-USA make a greater social impact

15. Roadmap - Goal 2 a)Help WG-USA grow Distinguish WG-USA from other advocacy and membership organizations Communicate with membership and prospective members that we are more attuned to the needs of our members Tools, trainings and website development that are required for learning to take place A sense of community Knowledge and skills- based member empowerment The personal and professional development of members through engagement in the organization Understanding and engaging with the IFUW and the UN A fulfilling member experience

16. Roadmap - Goal 2 b) Help WG-USA make a greater social impact Letters, petitions, resolutions, support program priorities Develop a core competence in training women for participation in advocacy Attract and mobilize diverse communities of women women’s professional associations ( SWE), business affinity women’s groups, community based organizations, etc Partnering with other NGOs – sharing WG’s strengths – 100 Cities for Cedaw Liaison between the IFUW and the UN. –CSW2014 & Advocacy Committee Participating in policy analysis discussions and meetings with other NGOs Convening regional and/or national roundtables and/or conferences in partnership with other NGOs

17. In conclusion: WG-USA has tremendous potential for growth and social impact This roadmap can create a niche for WG-USA’s hybrid organization Niche market can help us distinguish ourselves from the competition Roadmap is not just about the Advocacy function, it’s about supporting all aspects of the organization The roadmap is only as good as its implementation. Implementation will require organizational resources – board, volunteer and funding commitments