Printable Version Email to a Friend Power Point presentations that go with this publication are: Introduction to Citizen Advocacy Why Citizen Advocacy? See also: NP Action Mobilize and Organize Section

The Oregon Food Bank found a powerful resource to make their advocacy against hunger more effective: their clients! They recruited their clients to a committee that worked in partnership with staff. Together they decided advocacy priorities, brainstormed strategy and met with public officials and the media. The investment of resources and staff time and paid off in successful advocacy campaigns.

Their next step was to share their experience in a how-to a manual, Connecting People to Power: How Service Providers Can Mobilize Volunteers for Advocacy, written by Matt Lewis, a Bill Emerson Hunger Fellow who worked on the campaign. They have agreed to have the entire contents of the manual posted on NPAction.org. This summary has links to the chapters.

Click on the headlines to view the full chapter:

Section I: Introduction to Volunteer Advocacy
This chapter describes the power of volunteer advocacy, and the book's focus on how to get started. The information is based on Lewis' experiences organizing the Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN)for the Oregon Food Bank, along with interviews with experienced advocates and selecting readings.

Section II Getting Started
This section explains that advocacy and lobbying are legal activities for 501(c)(3) organizations and explains the first steps to take. These include deciding how much staff time will be needed to organize the CAN, and coming up with a proposed structure, mission and goals. The second step is to get people to the first meeting, and the chapter suggests places to look for volunteer advocates and a recruitment pitch.

Section III: Meeting Techniques
The first meeting is important to the future success of the CAN effort, and should be carefully planned. Factors to think about in making logistical decisions are laid out in this chapter, including where to hold the meeting, developing a flexible agenda, being ready for volunteer input and balancing planning and action items. There is a list of materials needed, including food! Advice for conducting the meeting has a "listen, don't lecture" theme. At the end of the chapter there is a sample list of questions for a facilitated discussion.

Section IV Group Development and Generic Agenda Items
The meeting content should be focused on keeping everyone informed, building group identity and building a strong group structure. Tips from avoiding jargon to providing opportunities for volunteers to see how their advocacy fits into the big picture help achieve these goals. The chapter also has suggestions for volunteer training and sample handouts, including one from the Rural Organizing Project.

Section V: Your First Meetings: Examples from the CAN
Specific sample plans and agenda for the first, second and third meeting are provided. All the plans provide plenty of time for volunteer advocates to introduce themselves, help establish priorities and plans, and learn about advocacy opportunities.

Section VI: Leading an Advocacy Event
This section has tips on leading an advocacy event, getting volunteers ready, mobilizing to get people