Advocacy Bootcamp

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

Questions?ddallman@sirlibrary.com