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

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Global Summit for Social Responsibility, which convened April 30-May 2, 2008, emerged with a goal to generate a voluntary set of "Guiding Principles for Associations in Social Responsibility." A draft was proposed and will be incorporated to the agenda for "Associations as Agents of World Benefit: Carrying the Movement Forward," a virtual mini-summit beginning October 14th and ending October 16th. The summit aims to share progress, goals, and opportunities to the groups that emerged as a result of the Global Summit last spring. It is open to anyone interested in social responsibility.

The Guiding Principles for Socially Responsible Associations include a section on each of the following:

• Preamble
• Responsible Advocacy
• Environmental and Economic Sustainability
• Public Protection- Ethics, Self Regulation, Human Rights
• Diversity
• Philanthropy/Community Service
• Leadership

The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently featured an article entitled, "How Bad Is It? Economy’s Downturn Prompts New Challenges for Charities." In the article, Holly Hall, the author, emphasizes how the current economic situation may significantly alter donations to charities. The downturn could potentially affect not just private giving, but money charities receive from government sources as well.

The current state of the economy has already provoked some charities to change their fund-raising approach. The article sites several charities that are moving quickly to minimize potential damages in the next few months. The Associated Services for the Blind in Philadelphia, for example, is delaying its annual November awards ceremony and fund-raising event until January because recruiting corporate sponsors and ticket buyers is substantially more difficult this year than in previous years.

Many charities are also adopting a "wait-and-see" attitude until they know for sure how the commotion in the financial industry will affect their donors and impact funds. Leaders of charities and nonprofits are trying to get out ahead of the financial crisis by holding meetings and several conference calls to discuss new fund-raising strategies that should be adopted in the coming weeks.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Join the Communications Consortium Media Center for the release and book signing of their new guide: Strategic Communications for Nonprofits: A Step-by-Step Guide to Working with the Media.

This is a new addition of Strategic Communications for Nonprofits, which was first published in 1999. The book offers guidance to developing effective media relations and assistance in creating a communications strategy aimed at creating social or policy change. It builds on the earlier addition and includes new case studies, new trends in media branding and trends in technology.

Strategic Communications for Nonprofits includes chapters on the following:

• The Basics of Strategic Communications
• Elements of a Strategic Communications Plan
• Conducting Research and Targeting Audiences
• Framing and Developing Messages
• Navigating a Changing Industry
• Making the Most of Your Resources
• Earning Good Media Coverage
• Responding to a Media Crisis and managing Backlash
• Selecting and Training Spokespeople
• Capitalizing on the Power of Partnerships

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Virginia Tech students recently became wrapped up in the confusion that surrounds the definition of residency when trying to register to vote. In a recent article in US News, the decision of the State Board of Elections in Virginia to jump in and revise the guidelines to say that a college address can be accepted as a residential address for voter registration is receiving vast attention.

The current commotion at Virginia Tech is no new phenomenon. It is a problem that college students have encountered in many states for many election cycles: "If I’m a college student, where should I register to vote?"

Despite the fact that federal courts have ruled that students have the right to vote from campus, state residency laws making things more convoluted. The decision of how to define residency is left up to the state, or more often, a particular municipality.

Eleven states currently have a very difficult registration process for college students that prevents them from voting on campus. In some states, PO boxes and college dorms are not considered legitimate addresses. Students also run into difficulty when their driver’s licenses do not reflect where they are living at school.

Student voting groups like Rock the Vote and SAVE are focusing on getting students the right information. Rock the Vote has recently introduced a "there’s no place like home" campaign to spread the word to students that their campus is there home too.

The main reason for all the attention: In what could be a very close election, the confusion could cost one of the candidates.

For more information on student voting, visit NP Action's .

Effective Advocacy at All Levels of Government is a publication that was released in May as the result of a partnership between Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The publication is designed to prepare nonprofits for engagement at the state and local levels - where most nonprofits are likely to have the capacity to engage, and the potential to see quicker results - as well as for opportunities at the federal level.

It focuses on three elements to aid nonprofits in their advocacy at all levels of government:

• Generalized processes and principles of how to influence public policy in our federal system of government. By becoming familiar with general practices in policy development, nonprofits can better adapt to the specific ways of a particular jurisdiction's government.
• Guiding questions that will help translate an understanding of general principles into appropriate strategies for specific issues at specific levels of government.
• Case stories that bring key ideas to life and allow nonprofits to imagine themselves in similar situations.

The Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation created the publication to help answer the following questions:

• Why should your nonprofit try to change public policy?
• Is it legal for nonprofits to advocate policy change?
• How does the policymaking process work?
• What policy issues should your nonprofit address?
• How can your nonprofit influence public policy?

This week is Michigan Nonprofit Week!

The week is designed to raise awareness of the over 23,000 charities in the state of Michigan.

Today is Nonprofit Day 2008 at the Lansing Center.

• Nonprofit Day gives participants an opportunity to learn about the public policy topics impacting nonprofits and how the sector can work together in addressing concerns.
• The day is filled with workshops: The Role of Art in Social Change, Nonprofits Vote!, Capitol Update, Moving Michigan Forward, and Boot Camp for Framing and Delivering Messages.

Click here to find out more about Michigan Nonprofit Day.

The Primary Project was started in 2006 to engage every presidential candidate in a dialogue about the impact and future of the nonprofit sector. The project is now expanding from the presidential campaign to the multitude of federal, state, and local elections that are just around the corner.

Goals:

• To enable those running for elected positions to hear the voice of the nonprofit movement: how we serve our communities, the needs we hear, and our potential to partner in solutions.
• To enable nonprofits to know where candidates stand on nonprofit issues and strengthening the sector.
• To build awareness that issues affecting the nonprofit sector belong in all candidates' platforms.
• To alert candidates that the voices of nonprofit clients matter in elections.

Visit the Primary Project page on the Nonprofit Congress site to learn how to get involved, stay legal, and publicize your successes!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Spread the word about the latest progress of Every Child Matters. They recently sent the following letter:

Dear Friend of Children,

After a smashing success with Step Up for Kids Day, Every Child Matters is now targeting the upcoming 3 official presidential debates and 1 vice-presidential debate as the next opportunities to spotlight the needs of children and families--and to press for new investments in a wide array of social programs. With thousands of organizations and individuals participating in Step Up for Kids Day, we want to direct the emergence of a new national children's movement at all those seeking office, especially the two presidential candidates.

Here's what you can do to help make children a political priority right now:

1. E-mail Senators McCain and Obama and urge them to address the two questions below at their first debate-this one on foreign policy-on September 26 at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. (We'll be in touch with other questions to ask at the remaining debates)

Question 1: According to a UNICEF report the U.S. ranks 20th out of 21 rich democracies in child well-being. What would you do to close this gap in order to maintain our global economic competitiveness?

Question 2: In perhaps the ultimate measure of homeland insecurity, 28,000 U.S. children have been killed since the start of the Afghanistan/Iraq wars as the result of suicide, homicide or child abuse. What would you do to reduce the violence experienced by children and make our homeland more secure for them?

2. Send a message to PBS's Jim Lehrer, who is moderating this first debate and urge him to pose both questions to the candidates.

3. Forward this message to your friends, family, and colleagues and urge them to do the same.

If you agree that the candidates and media should be addressing these and similar Q's, please e-mail them now. In addition to this grass roots e-mail, ECM is purchasing advertising to raise the visibility of children's issues during the debates cycle. We also are organizing events in proximity to each debate site which will bring together up to 1,000 children, families and friends to urge the candidates and media to speak to children's issues. The obstacles that children and family issues face during an election are formidable. But with your help we can convince the candidates and the media that these are serious issues that demand their attention right now.

Thank you for your help to make children a political priority.

Please contact Every Child Matters with any questions or comments

Posted by Kelly Doherty



Attention Tax-Exempt Organizations

The IRS is presenting tax-exempt organizations with two great opportunities:

• Online Workshop for Exempt Organizations where users can access new training programs and complete modules to learn how to stay exempt.
• Workshop for Small and Mid-sized 501 (c)(3)s introductory workshop presented by experienced IRS Exempt Organizations designed for administrators or volunteers who are responsible for an organization's tax compliance.

On Thursday, September 18th, the Center for American Progress held their monthly Internet Advocacy Roundtable. This month’s feature was entitled Here Come the Millennials: Politics Beware. Morley Winograd and Michael Hais shared their insights on how the Millennial Generation is using new technology to dig deep into politics. There was an informative powerpoint, as well as a substantial question and answer session following the presentation. The roundtable was provoked by Winograd and Hais’ new book, Millennial Makeover: MySpace, YouTube, and the Future of American Politics.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Chronicle of Philanthropy published an article yesterday highlighting the ServiceNation Summit that occurred last week. The summit of over 700 people emphasized the importance of community service. Over 100 different organizations that make up ServiceNation are now seeking to revive the kind of dedication to public service that President Kennedy inspired over four decades ago.

Legislation:

• Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) unveiled a piece of legislation drafted to drastically increase the number of participants in year-long national service programs like AmeriCorps.
• Senator Chris Dodd (D- Connecticut) announced two bills to promote community service: one to enlist high school students, and one to involve people 55 years of age and older.

Day of Action:

• Organizations across the country have planned more than 2,300 activities to highlight the ServiceNation cause and get people to sign what they call a "Declaration of Service."

Seeking Support from Lawmakers:

• Advocates are stressing that both Democrats and Republicans support national service.

The most impressive part of the summit was the appearances of both presidential candidates: John McCain and Barack Obama.

Monday, September 15, 2008

According to an article in the NonProfit Times , election season is the busiest time for social justice groups. As the election nears, groups are registering voters and contemplating their wishes for the next president’s agenda during his first hundred days in office.

Nan Aron, president of Alliance for Justice suggests groups advocating social justice issues and other nonprofits get their concerns on the agenda for the fall debates that will occur from late September to mid-October. Social justice groups are going to have to scale down their ideas, however, as the next president faces three large issues: the war in Iraq, the economy, and healthcare. Aron’s focus now is changing the direction of government.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Atlantic Philanthropies recently published a piece concerning support for advocacy. The report focuses on examples of successful foundation-funded advocacy efforts, important questions for individual philanthropists and foundation staff to consider before committing to funding advocacy, as well as giving an overview of why funders should consider investing in advocacy.

Public policy advocacy entails…

• Research and Dissemination
• Raising Awareness
• Community Organizing
• Grassroots Mobilization
• Building Capacity
• Policy Development
• Lobbying
• Litigation
• Electoral Activity

Funders should ask questions regarding…

• Organizational capacity- experience, skill, understanding
• Senior-level support- trustees, management, relationships with other organizations
• Strategic and Tactical Considerations- ability to act quickly, move forward

Tips on funding advocacy include…

• Getting informed from a variety of perspectives
• Thinking broadly about how to support effective coalitions
• Considering all the options before making a decision
• Considering the various models by which campaigns can be managed
• Establishing clearly identified, central co-ordination of campaigns
• Being prepared to empower non-profit leaders
• Providing general operating support
• Incorporating long-term funding into advocacy grant making
• Communicating effectively

The report also offers a series of certain case studies, including reports on the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, death penalty reform and immigration reform.

On September 8, the United States Election Assistance Commission published a memo for immediate release to call on voters to prepare and confirm before the upcoming election in November. If you’re of age and eligible to vote, make sure you are registered. September 2008 has been declared National Voter Registration Month and all new, as well as returning voters should get ready to participate in the election.

If you have registered for the first time, confirm that you are a registered voter and if you’re a returning voter, verify that your registration is current and valid.

There are several important steps recommended by the EAC:

• Know the registration deadline
• Follow registration instructions carefully
• Those who move should update their registration
• Confirm registration with elections office

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

In April, The Boston Globe featured an article to help nonprofits find assistance developing pitches aimed at donors. A function was held for Boston-area nonprofits to help nonprofit advocates better present their work so that people understand the social problems they’re trying to solve and how the work that they are doing is benefiting society. The article highlights the reasons why investors support certain nonprofits; it is an investment for donors and they want to be sure their money is being used effectively. It is important to help nonprofits become more business-like and understand the language of the private sector to win the support of deep-pocketed donors. Leaders of nonprofits presented a sales pitch to donors, followed by a session of praise and critique to assure they are making their cases clearly.

With so many nonprofits around today, it’s important to know how to state your case and learn to present ideas so that people understand and believe in the need for your organization.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Blue Avocado, the online magazine, published an article last week that demonstrates a sample procedure for how organizations decide to take stands on certain issues. Jan Masaoka, the author, thoroughly discusses two very important questions that nonprofits frequently face: HOW to take a stand, and WHETHER to take a particular stand.

The worst time to decide on how to take a policy position is when an issue suddenly develops. To assure a suitable decision is made, Blue Avocado outlines principles by which policy stands are considered. A series of questions is also presented on how to respond to requests for endorsement by organizations. In addition to the article, be sure to check out the supplementary links posted to find out more about nonprofits and taking policy stands.

This article is reprinted with permission from Blue Avocado, the fast-read, online magazine for community nonprofits. Subscribe free at www.blueavocado.org

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Sign up today for a Nonprofit Webinar. Presenter Rachel Perry of United Way America will bring Media Relations 101: Getting Attention for your Nonprofit right to your phone and desktop October 23rd.

The V3 Campaign: Voice, Vote, Value , created a new website to provide constituents with convenient access to potential candidates in local, state, and federal elections. The site efficiently produces a way for active citizens to get answers while making a difference in society and joining together to make history.

The steps are simple: go to the website, enter your zip code, click send a letter and choose who you want it sent to. Candidates respond directly to those who ask questions. By forwarding the candidate’s reply to the V3 Campaign, your question becomes part of a blog where the responses can be rated and commented on by other individuals, forming a national dialogue about the future.

It’s that simple: Get answers right at your computer with a click of the mouse and help make change happen.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Jurisdictions across the Washington, D.C. area are trying to staff their precincts with an abundant number of workers to accommodate the influx of voters expected at the polls for the coming election. Elections officials say they are preparing for what could be a record turnout, as a higher profile election attracts a greater number of interested citizens. The Washington Post published an article that stresses anticipated statewide voter turnout in both Maryland and Virginia will exceed 85 percent in the November election. Virginia, especially, is expected to have more voters at the poll than in previous elections considering the state’s unusual position this year as a swing state.

Poll workers commonly work out of a sense of civic responsibility rather than for the money, being that they typically make only $100 or $200 a day. Responsibilities include but are not limited to checking in voters, assisting with ballots, and driving poll information to elections headquarters. Additional workers, however, are currently necessary to prevent disgruntled voters from waiting in long lines, and to prevent current poll workers from being overworked, creating the possibility that mistakes be made.

To accommodate the rising number of voters at the polls, officials are hoping to recruit thousands of workers across various counties in the Washington, D.C. area before the election.