Effective AdvocacyTeri E. Flack

FGS 2014 Conference

August 27, 2014

What is Advocacy?

Advocate: “One who defends or maintains a cause or proposal; to plead in favor of; to plead against”

Advocacy: “The act or process of advocating”

Advocacy

Advocacy can involve big issues – national in scope – or it can focus on local issues.

Too often we focus on those big issues, or the ones that have reached a crisis stage, and overlook issues in our own backyards.

Advocacy can start with your own community.

Silence has a cost

Bad things may happen because good people don’t raise their voices.

• If we don’t speak up;

• If we don’t articulate the issues and our concerns;

• If we remain silent;

• If we believe someone else will always take the lead:

Policymakers will conclude we don’t care.

And we have to live with the consequences.

• They are Important & Influential group

• They care about the issues

• They know more than others

• They can counter erroneous info

Members of your Society Can Make a Difference

• Is informed about issues and policy; knows the facts

• Backs up his/her position with solid, accurate information

• Identifies appropriate policymakers to approach

An Effective Advocate:

• Develops an easily articulated, coherent, and cohesive message

• Uses multiple voices to ensure validity and to enhance visibility

• Mobilizes the grassroots in support of his/her position

An Effective Advocate:

• Uses relevant examples to make his/her position personal and human

• Knows the arguments used by opponents, and uses facts to refute those arguments

• Finds allies to present a unified position

• Employs multiple approaches to ensure the message reaches the intended target

An Effective Advocate:

Effective Advocacy Takes Planning

Identify Problem

Define Solution

Take Action

Identify the Issue

Path to Effective Advocacy

Effective AdvocacyTeri E. Flack

FGS 2014 Conference

August 27, 2014