Effective Advocacy

Effective Advocacy A Role for Everyone! Ann Watts McDaniel 2013 NCIL Conference

Effective Advocacy Involves everyone who cares about the issue Takes time – don’t give up! Is a learning process Requires a coalition Requires communication

Legislation Vs. Policy Legislation creates the laws and the legislative process is a policymaking process Policy is not always legislation Policies are also developed by state agencies, providers, non-profit organizations, businesses, employers – to govern what they do

Policies Policies govern programs and services for people with disabilities Influencing these policies can improve the lives of those individuals Influencing policies is not lobbying

Policymakers Legislators are policymakers Attempting to influence legislators is lobbying Not all policymakers are legislators Attempting to influence “non-legislator” policymakers is not lobbying

Advocacy Vs. Lobbying “Advocacy” and “Lobbying” are not the same thing “Advocacy” is attempting to convince others of the rightness of your cause and to support your cause or agree to your request “Lobbying” is attempting to influence legislators and how they vote or to influence the content of legislation

Lobbying Activities Talking to legislators/staff to influence legislation Sending action alerts asking others to take action in an attempt to influence legislation Giving gifts or contributions to legislators in an attempt to influence legislation

Advocacy Activities Sharing your personal story with others Educating the public and policy makers about the issues Developing position statements on issues Sharing information with stakeholders on developments in policymaking

Remember . . . Monitoring the legislative process is not lobbying Monitoring policy is not lobbying Advocacy is not always lobbying Attempting to influence legislation IS lobbying!

Advocacy Paradigms Linear or Traditional Paradigm Systems Change Paradigm (created by Corey Rowley)

Linear Paradigm 1 2 3 4 5 1 – attending rallies or meetings 2 – phone calls, letter writing, e-mails 3 – speaking on behalf of a group, testimony 4 – strategizing, politically active 5 – Civil Disobedience

Systems Change Paradigm ACTIVIST ADVOCATE STRATEGIST

Roles to be Played: Effective Advocacy requires players in 3 major roles: Advocates Activists Strategists All three roles are necessary for the most effective Advocacy

Advocates Advocates make up the army May be interested in & monitor several issues at once Provide power in numbers Prove to policymakers that the community cares about the issue

What Advocates Do Represent the grassroots Participate in group events Share personal experiences Activities: Share their personal stories Write letters/e-mails Make phone calls Respond to alerts Recruit others to join in

Activists Passionate & action oriented Persistent & not intimidated Keep issue highly visible & immediate Uncaring about the politics of the issue Take action in spurts

What Activists Do Put a spotlight on the Issue Put Pressure on policymakers to act Frame the issue as a crisis Use extreme measures when needed Activities: Rallies & Marches Demonstrations Civil disobedience

Strategists Know existing laws Understand the system Have ability to write legislation, position papers, etc. Have ability to develop strategies & negotiate Have long-term relationships with policymakers

What Strategists Do Develop the issue & message Rely on advocates & activists for input & action Activities: Write policy alerts Spend time at the Capitol Attend political events Negotiate & mediate with policymakers, staff, advocates, state agencies

Every Role has Value You don’t have to play every role AND you can move between roles Every role & style is valuable as long as it contributes to the outcome Respect all your partners & their roles Coordinate all roles to avoid missed opportunities Communicate!

Recognize Your Strengths Fill the role you have the skills for Develop the skills you need Don’t undervalue your role Don’t try to fill a role you aren’t prepared for DO SOMETHING!

What is Your Role? Find a partner and discuss: • Which Role feels right for you? • Why?

Identify Issues What issues does everyone agree on? What issues will be the primary focus? What issues will be monitored? On what issues will you be proactive? On what issues will you be reactive?

Proactive Vs. Reactive Proactive– Advocate for introduction of legislation/policy and/or take action when introduced Reactive– Monitor and take action if the legislation/policy is put on a committee’s agenda or starts to move Prepareto be proactive on some issues and reactive on others

Develop a Coalition Recruit your allies Identify those who can influence policy Identify stakeholders and their needs/views Know what your opposition is doing

Develop a Coalition 3 Critical Things to Agree on: What you want What you will settle for What you will not accept Develop strategies Identify roles – who does what Establish effective communication

Identify Constituency Who’s problems are we trying to solve? How will policy changes affect their lives? How can we involve them in the process?

Small Group Activity • Identify an issue to work on • Large group brainstorm • Role groups established for each issue • Choose your Role Group

Answer the Following: • Who is the “constituency” for this issue? • Who are our allies? • Who is our opposition?

Coordination • Develop a strategy for this issue • Share your strategy with other appropriate role groups • How will other role groups fit into your strategy? What do you need them to do?

A Job for Everyone Make sure all partners have a role(s) Make sure grassroots stay engaged: Keep information flowing Send alerts with specific actions to take Provide updates, feedback, & encouragement Celebrate victories – even the small ones Maintain good communication

Preparation Research and prepare materials to support your position Identify your opposition and address their concerns Identify your allies/potential allies Build a coalition with your allies and identify common ground

Role Groups meet by Issue • All the role groups working on the same issue meet: • How will you communicate? • How will activities be coordinated?

Maintain Credibility Never “guess” when asked a question by a policymaker/legislator or staff – get back to them If you committed to sending additional information to anyone do it immediately Send a “Thank You” letter after meetings Inform allies of the outcomes of meetings Never double-cross allies, legislators or staff

Be Aware of Your Limitations Keep your eye on the prize— put ego aside Don’t agree to a policy option when not fully knowledgeable Don’t agree to a policy option on behalf of others not present

Expand Your Efforts Teach others how the process works Build an advocacy team Don’t turn anyone away Help everyone find their role(s)

Work Together Effectively Establish ground rules Coordinate your efforts & Communicate Respect each other Remember who you represent Keep your eyes on the prize!

Consider All Ideas Is this something we can accomplish? What barriers might we encounter? What resources will we need? How can we maximize our efforts?

Communicate! During planning During strategizing During implementation of your plans THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS! Communication is key to SUCCESS!

References Corey L. Rowley (B. 1968 – D. 2008) Author: “Systems Change Paradigm” Former Executive Director, Pennsylvania SILC, Director of Public Policy, Pennsylvania SILC, Former Executive Director, Utah SILC David Stewart West Virginia ADA Consultant Region III DBTAC Resource Personnel

Questions? For now? For later: Ann McDaniel, Executive Director WV Statewide Independent Living Council 304-766-4624 ann.meadows@wvsilc.org

Effective Advocacy