1 / 13

“From Individual Advocacy to Systematic Change”

“From Individual Advocacy to Systematic Change”. The M a n y F a c e s of Respite 14 th Annual National Lifespan Respite Conference Wednesday, November 2, 2011. Joe Rubio, Lead Organizer – Valley Interfaith Project (VIP)

timon-boyer
Download Presentation

“From Individual Advocacy to Systematic Change”

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. “From Individual Advocacy to Systematic Change” The ManyFacesof Respite 14th Annual National Lifespan Respite Conference Wednesday, November 2, 2011 Joe Rubio, Lead Organizer – Valley Interfaith Project (VIP) Siobhan McCurdy, Education & Advocacy Coordinator – National MS Society AZ Chapter

  2. Objectives During this workshop, we will: • Discuss the role of direct service work in achieving successful policy change • Explore a process of organizing around an issue • Identify ways in which you can contribute to local organizing efforts

  3. Traditional Advocacy Tactics • Email Alerts • Letter writing campaigns • Phone banking • A Day at the Capitol • Petition drives • Etc..

  4. Definitions • Advocacy: What citizens & leaders do around issues of importance to them. Exercising Leadership. • Organizing:Building the capacity to develop citizen leaders. Developing leadership.

  5. Advocacy & Organizing vs. Direct Service • There are MANYFACES involved & and it begins with you! • Caregivers • Social Workers • Care-partners • Non-profit professionals & volunteers • Citizens • Community Leaders & State Officials • Families & friends

  6. Advocacy & Organizing vs. Direct Service Misconceptions: • “I’m not a protester, I don’t advocate.” • “How much will I really help? In this state, organizing is pointless.” • “Advocacy will offend donors.” • “Aren’t there laws against me organizing?”

  7. Advocacy & Organizing vs. Direct Service Truths • In this economy & political reality, the people we serve and our professions can’t afford for us not to integrate advocacy & direct service. • Direct service work & caregiving puts you at the front line hearing personal stories & seeing barriers to achieving quality of life for those most vulnerable and at-risk. You are a natural organizer.

  8. What goals guide our efforts? • To empower citizens to share their stories. • To provide guidance and direction for policy makers. • To provide solutions and at least start discussions. • To provide explanation to those impacted most by policies as to why they were developed.

  9. Institutions • Citizens • Power • Iron rule

  10. What steps do we take to address issues? The Cycle of Organizing One to One Relational Conversations Evaluation House Meetings Public Action Research Actions & Power Analysis

  11. Successful Organizing for a Specific Issue One to One Relational Conversations: Bonnie Danowski & VIP Evaluation House Meetings: Unqualified in-home caregivers Issue: Long Term Care Public Action:- Formalized training for non-medical workers- SB1302 (Vetoed) Increase wages for caregivers Research Actions & Power Analysis: - Phoenix College- Arizona Bridge to Independent Living- Foundation for Senior Living

  12. Ready to Organize? Don’t forget to… • Know the chain of command in government bureaucracy. Who is your target? • Put yourself in community leader’s neighborhood. Relationships determine results. • Join in coalition with others. This is key. • Practice sharing your story. Again & again for different audiences & people. • Engage the media. Letters to the editor, Op-ed, news features, press conferences… • Follow up and hold lawmakers accountable. VOTE!

  13. Questions? THANK YOU SO MUCH for your time & participation! Joe Rubio: jrubio.vip@gmail.com Siobhan McCurdy: siobhan.mccurdy@nmss.org

More Related