Advocacy

The ABC's of Advocacy

Advocacy is necessary, important, and it will enable you to make a difference.
Be an advocate! Bring attention to issues that concern you. Be heard. Be proactive.
Contact your elected officials today.
Develop and implement a personalized strategy for success. Define your goals.
Educate and engage community members to advocate with you.
Find your niche in your community. Find your cause. Find time.
Grassroots action plans are crucial to your success.
Help others to understand the political decision-making process.
Initiate action! Involve others by building coalitions.
Justify your plan. Explain to the community why they should get involved.
Kick-off your awareness with large-scale, well-publicized, public events.
Listen! What issues excite community members? Lobby for these issues.
Media coverage is critical! Make contacts with your newspaper, radio and TV stations.
Now is the time! Not tomorrow! Not next month! Not next year!
Organize a letter-writing campaign, a vigil, a powerful rally, or an awareness week.
Partner with other community based organizations.
Question the action or non-action of your elected officials.
Rally! React! Respond!
Share your thoughts! Speak your mind!
Think about the way that legislation affects you and will affect your children.
Use lots of clear, concise, and creative publicity in the community.
Visit your member of Congress.
Write letters to your elected officials. Write op-eds for your local newspapers.
X-change ideas, programs, and resources.
You have the power! You have the opportunity! You make a difference!
Zoos, humane societies, domestic violence shelters, youth centers, pediatric clinics, community theatres, vocational agencies, and soup kitchens are just a few places that need you to advocate for them.