Advocacy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Advocacy is the act of arguing on behalf of a particular issue, idea, person or animal
An advocate is a person who does this – a person like you.
Advocacy is a strategy used to press for change. It is also the foundation of active citizenship, a process through which ordinary people participate in decision making at all levels. Identifying priorities, crafting a strategy, stepping forward, taking action, and achieving results are critical steps to finding one's voice, making oneself heard, and shaping the future.
There are many ways to advocate:
Become well informed. Seek out information on the issue of concern and don’t limit your sources to those with whom you agree. It is important to know all sides of the issue. When reading newspapers, be aware of their bias. When using the internet, be aware that anyone can post anything so you need to double and triple check the information. If you get information through email, be sure to check the original source.
Write a letter to a public official. Find out who your elected representatives are on all levels – local, county, state, national – and let them know how you feel about issues. Be sure to include sound reasoning, any background information you can get, how the issue affects you or your cause, and your relationship to that official (I voted for you, you represent my district, etc.).
Call your elected representatives. You can find the address and phone number for every elected official through the internet. Let them know how you feel about issues that are important to you. Tell them why it matters to you, and how you would like them to vote.
Speak out. Go to local council meetings and express your concerns and/or approval during the appropriate time. It is equally important to let officials know when you approve and when you do not.
Say “Thank You.” When the issue has been decided, it is important that you send a note of thanks to all officials who supported your cause. |
