advocacy bootcamp
TRANSCRIPT
Advocacy Bootcamp
Get Heard! How to Maximize your Advocacy Efforts!
With Darlene Dallman, B.Com.(Hons)Eastman Interlake Recreation
Professionals conferenceOctober 28, 2015
What is Advocacy?
The act of pleading or arguing in favour of something such as a cause, idea or policy;
Seeking active support
Lobbyist
Get paid to win favour from politicians
Most large organizations, industries etc. have them
• Petroleum producers• Canadian Bankers Association• Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
Recreation lobbyist?
What is Grassroots Advocacy? Grassroots is defined as;
- the most basic level of an activity or organization
- ordinary people
Grassroots Advocacy is the ordinary people banding together to make change.
FederalProvides Leadership - Pathways to Wellbeing – A Framework for Recreation in Canadahttp://www.cpra.ca/UserFiles/File/EN/sitePdfs/initiatives/National%20Framework/PathwaystoWellbeing%20d3%20web.pdfFunding – Infrastructure dollars
ProvincialProvides Leadership - Manitoba’s Policy for Recreation Opportunitieshttp://www.gov.mb.ca/cyo/recreation/docs/recreation_policy.pdf Funding – capital projects / equipment (MB Community Places, Manitoba Community Services, others)
MunicipalProvides Leadership? Funding – operating? / capital?
Political Arena – Why get involved? Take active part or someone who opposes your
view will Do so to ensure your interests are understood and
remain high on the political agenda Getting involved is actually fun and challenging Advocacy helps for recruitment and retention of
volunteers / members
Political Landscape
Competition for limited resources Decision makers have many decisions to make If your not proactive, you may be marginalized How do you break through the clutter
What Works?
“Real people, delivering real local stories with real local issues”
Local leaders working with local politicians Using originality to break through the clutter Owning the consumer argument A sustained and coordinated approach
Grassroots Advocacy Concepts A grass-roots approach gets volunteers /
members involved - builds commitment Best approach involves educating and sensitizing
decision-makers over time Need to frame issues before the government does Position yourself as a resource to government /
community Start early, advocating as an afterthought is less
effective
How to be Effective – 10 Steps1. Have a plan2. Know your community3. Tie into government agenda4. Give credit early and often5. Be a player on relevant government policy milestones6. Frame advocacy in the public and consumer interest7. Take a multi government level approach8. Understand and make use of the media9. Seek supportive stakeholders10. Stay Positive
Have a Plan
Identify what you want Gather statistics Create a framework of how you’re going to reach
your goal Look for opportunities Create timelines Assign responsibilities Update and adapt plan to meet challenges and
opportunities
Know your Community
Know your council members Who are your community leaders Community values
Tie into Government Agenda Make your issue relevant by tying it into the
stated priorities of the current government Use the same language the government uses Buzz words
Give Credit Early and Often Make politicians look good – helps cultivate good
will Photo ops Speaking opportunities Don’t forget your volunteers / members /
supporters
Be a Player on Relevant Government Policy Milestones Weigh in at budget time Election platforms Keep your issue at the forefront
Frame Advocacy in the Public and Consumer Interest
Why is this good for the public?
Take a Multi-government Level Approach Establish a relationship with all levels of
government Advocate at all levels
Understand and Make use of the Media Know your local media contacts Offer a support network to the media Help politicians with media exposure
Seek Supportive Stakeholders Create a broad network of support Work on complementary messaging Work together
Stay Positive
Try to keep a positive spin on everything Don’t bite the hand that funds you!
Taking ActionHow to be Effective
What do Decision Makers Want to Know? What are the local statistics Real life stories and examples that illustrate the
case What your visibility and influence is in the
community Specific actions they can take to make you happy
Effective Face to Face Meetings
Have one or two key arguments Tell a story (short story) Have a specific request Questions draw them in, make them pay
attention Do not allow them to distract you Prepare your elevator pitch – get your
message across in 45 seconds or less Remember the 5W’s Keep it simple!
Effective Letters State that you are a constituent or
stakeholder at the beginning Lead with your request Speak from the heart One core argument Do not send big packages of information Repeat the request (closing) Copy other stakeholders if appropriate Have other stakeholders send similar
letters – not form letters
Effective e-mails
Not recommended, email delivers speed but lack of investment
Even more important to signal you are a constituent
Subject line – needs to be clear Personalize the request Attachments are a waste of time Avoid spam
Compelling Phone Calls
Use only when time is a factor Identify yourself and the fact that you are a
constituent Be brief, concise Do not call on every issue – reserve your political
capital
What Does Not Work
Confrontational style that harasses or insults Lack of preparedness Too rehearsed or artificial Not listening is biggest most common mistake
Advocate with your Ears
Really listen Ask for advice Seek supportive statements
Helpful Meeting Hints
Know your issues Make your issue relevant to the person your
speaking to Prioritize your issues Organize your presentation
Advocacy Works Beyond Traditional Politics New ventures Capital Campaigns Grant applications
