BLOG for ADVOCATES

We created this blog to share interesting advocacy related items that cross our desks. It can be anything from new research on funding for advocacy to examples of unusual advocacy strategies. If you have an item to share please send it to npaction@npaction.org.
NPAction Staff

Friday, August 24, 2007

The Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest is co-sponsoring "Building Public Policy Together: Consensus-Based Policy Creation & Coalition-Building Webinar." Using an issue-specific example, you will learn about the types of consensus-based policy creation, and how to successfully work in a coalition to create solutions. "Creating win-win public policy solutions usually means bringing key stakeholders together to work out a shared and sustainable solution." To find out more and to register, click here. It is free for the CLPI Action Network and $50 for the general public.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Do you or your organization need help in training community organizers, or in particular, advice on the fundamentals of door knocking? At www.organizinggame.org, you will find resources that support face-to-face training for residents and community leaders. This interactive game (the "Organizing Game") innovatively teaches skills of door knocking, one of the most essential strategies for local community organizations.

We have found that the game is most effective when used in a group learning environment. You can use it as a fun addition to an already developed training or use it as the basis to create your own training (we will have instructor guides for the Toolkit soon). As a group you can discuss particular issues or questions that the game raises to apply the learning to your group's particular situation.

These materials have been used to train activists from many organizations in California and a Spanish version will eventually be released. I encourage you to visit www.organizinggame.org and click on "the game" on the right to play.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

PolicyLink, a national research and action institute, acknowledges the need to advocate for change and Click Here for Change: Your Guide to the E-Advocacy Revolution outlines how electronic advocacy or e-advocacy can be a very powerful tool. "This manual was written for experienced and novice advocates alike who are eager to use state of the art technology techniques to challenge old policies and create new ones that will enhance the quality of life and access to opportunity for everyone." The manual provides interesting case studies and technology tips. Increasingly e-advocacy has become a powerful way to bring about policy change. Click here to read, Click Here for Change: Your Guide to the E-Advocacy Revolution.