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Advocacy Training. Know Your Power National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast June 18-20, 2013. What You Need to Know. What is Advocacy? Why Be An Advocate? How to Advocate What Comes Next?. WHAT IS ADVOCACY?.
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Advocacy Training Know Your Power National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast June 18-20, 2013
What You Need to Know What is Advocacy? Why Be An Advocate? How to Advocate What Comes Next?
WHAT IS ADVOCACY? To influence public opinion and/or policy; to play an important part in the development of political and social systems.
WHY BE AN ADVOCATE? • Government is in our everyday lives • Stand up for our values • Educate elected officials • Help those that do not have a voice • Exercise your freedom • You are a leader in your community • You represent the largest growing population in the U.S. • Religious community is influential
HOW TO ADVOCATE • Pick your issue • Create a clear message • Organize leaders from your church • Schedule a meeting with your elected official • Organize supporters to call, write, and fax your elected officials. • Track your issue and follow up!
THE “MEETING” Before your meeting • Schedule meeting with your elected official at least 2-4 weeks in advance • Get 5-10 leaders from your community to attend the meeting • Send materials about your issue to the elected official’s staff • Choose one person to be the ‘leader’ of the meeting • Confirm meeting a few days before the scheduled date During your meeting • Be early and prepared • Introduce yourself to staff • When meeting the elected official, have your ‘leader’ begin the meeting • Have each person introduce themselves – be brief and to the point. • Give member/staff a folder of information and your business card • Thank them for the meeting!
WHAT’S NEXT? • Send thank you letter to the elected official • Schedule a meeting with the staff in your state/district • Invite the member to your church to speak and/or to any church events • Build a coalition of supporters to help your cause/ raise awareness in your community • When the time comes, organize a group to make phone calls, send letters and faxes to your member’s office in D.C.
CONCLUSION • You do have power - make your voice heard! • Build a relationship with your elected official • Organize your community • Advocate for your issues If not now, when? If not us, who?