Table of Contents >
   Part I. Organizing for Effective Advocacy
(Chapters 3... >
      Chapter 30. Principles of Advocacy >
         Section 1. Overview: Getting an Advocacy Campaign Off the Gr... >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Overview: Getting an Advocacy Campaign Off the Ground

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Prue Breitrose Edited by Stephen B. Fawcett

Checklist

Here, you'll find a checklist summarizing the major points contained in the text.


You understand how advocacy is different from other types of strategy:

__ It involves actions that lead to a selected goal

__ It usually involves getting government, an agency or private business to correct an unfair or harmful situation

__ It is not the same as direct service

__ It may or may not involve confrontation


You understand what you need for successful advocacy:

__ Your cause needs to be right

__ Your group should have some power in numbers and/or clout

__ You should have thoroughly researched the issue, the opposition, and the climate of opinion in the community

__ You should be skilled in using the tools available to you (including the media )

__ You should pick your strategy and tactics carefully


When is advocacy appropriate?

__ When a powerful agency, institution or company needs to change but will not

__ When nothing else will work

__ When you know you have the capacity to carry it through


Other sections of this chapter can help you with different aspects of preparation for advocacy.


To understand the issue:

__ Research the root cause of the problem

__ Conduct an analysis of the power structure


To bring others into your campaign:

__ Learn to recognize potential allies

__ Choose them (and bring them on board) with care


To identify (and stand up to) opponents:

__ Start with the cause for resistance, and from that identify the people or groups who are likely to oppose you.

__ Once you have identified opponents, prepare for opposition, and plan to counteract it.

To make sure you conduct your advocacy campaign efficiently (Section 5):

__ Use the survival tips that will help you achieve your goals and stay out of trouble.


To put it together:

__ Make a master action plan that lets you consider all aspects of your campaign at once, so you can adjust different elements to fit.

__ Include your mission and objectives, your allies and opponents, your targets and agents of change, and your strategies and detailed action plan.


When you look around for help:

__ Check into groups that might normally be against you, but who may help with at least part of your goals.


To make sure you are on track

__ Do a careful self-assessment to make sure you are reaching all your objectives and sticking to your timetable

__ Check up on the process, to make sure your group is efficiently working together